Sunnyside Home Long-Term Care

Outdoor visits will take place in a designated location on the Sunnyside grounds. Visits must be booked in advance by calling the Sunnyside COVID hotline at 519-893-8494 extension 6868. 

With cooler weather approaching, we will schedule outdoor visits until September 25. If there are special requests after that date, please contact us to determine if they can be accommodated.

Visitors must adhere to the following requirements for outdoor visits:

• Outdoor visits are for 2 visitors and one resident only. Pets are not permitted at outdoor visits.
• A physical distance of 2 metres (6 feet) must be maintained throughout the visit. We understand that it may be difficult not to touch or hug your family member, but for their safety and the safety of others it is very important that you do not.
• Visits will be 30 minutes long and must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
• All outdoor visitors must pass active screening. Visitors must report to the sign in table inside the main entrance vestibule and answer a series of active screening questions as well as have their temperature taken prior to their visit. If visitors are unable to answer NO to all questions or have a temperature above 37.5 degrees Celsius, they are not permitted to visit.
• All visitors are asked to bring their own mask and must wear a mask during the duration of the visit.
• The resident will also be wearing a mask for the visit if they can tolerate it.
• Pets, food and drink are not permitted at outdoor visits.
• Washroom facilities at Sunnyside are not available for use by outdoor visitors.
• Please leave any items you bring for a resident in the box at the main entrance so they can be quarantined for 72 hours before they are delivered.
• Due to demand and the need to support equity, a maximum of one visit per week will be scheduled at this time.
• If the visit cannot occur due to inclement weather, heat warnings (humidex of 30 degrees Celsius or higher) or other critical factors that affect resident health and well being, a window visit will be offered as an alternative.
• If a visitor is not able to attend a scheduled visit, a new visit will need to be booked based on availability.

General visitors visit with a resident for a social reason. These visits will be up to 30 minutes long and will take place in a designated area on the main floor of Sunnyside Home. Visits must be booked at least one business day in advance by calling the Sunnyside COVID hotline at 519-893-8494 extension 6868.

Visitors must adhere to the following guidelines for indoor visits:

• One resident may visit with up to two family members or friends at a time.
• Visitors must be tested at a testing centre for COVID-19 within the 14 days prior to their visit and verbally attest to receiving a negative result.
• All visitors must pass active screening. Visitors must report to screening table inside the main entrance to complete a screening questionnaire and to have their temperature taken prior to their visit. If visitors are unable to pass the screening or have a temperature above 37.8 degrees Celsius, they are not permitted to visit. It is very important to monitor for symptoms and not to visit if you feel unwell or if you may have been exposed to COVID-19.
• Visitors must wear a surgical mask and shield which will be provided by Sunnyside Home while inside the building. We will also ask residents to wear a mask for the visit, if it can be tolerated.
• Visitors will be asked to review and sign off on Sunnyside’s infection prevention and control guidelines for visitors.
• Visitors are asked to practice hand hygiene upon entering the building, before exiting and frequently during the visit. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the building.
• Pets, food and/or drinks are not permitted during visits at this time. Visitors are not able to purchase food or drinks from the Sandhills Café or the vending machine.
• We know that it will be difficult not to hug or touch the resident you are visiting but it is very important that you don’t. For the safety of the residents at Sunnyside and the staff who support them, physical distance of six feet or more must be maintained.
• Items for residents must be left in the box at the main entrance so they can be quarantined for 72 hours before they are delivered.

Essential visitors are contractors who provide critical care and services or family members visiting a resident who is critically ill or nearing end of life.

How to determine if you are considered an essential visitor

Family members with a loved one who is at the end of their life, is very ill or is in an emergency situation will be considered essential. If you have questions about whether this may apply to you, please contact your Team Leader.

The following protocols must be adhered to for essential visitors:

• Essential visitors must pass active screening and are required to wear personal protective equipment which includes a mask and face shield while inside. If visiting a resident who is symptomatic or in isolation, they will wear full personal protective equipment as directed by the Ministries of Health and Long Term Care which includes a mask, goggles, gown and gloves.
• Essential visitors a must follow the above requirements for indoor visits. For family members visiting residents who are very ill or at end of their life, the COVID testing requirement will be reviewed on a case by case basis.
• If you are an essential visitor, you must limit your visits to two people per resident at any given time provided the home is not in outbreak and the resident is not on isolation. You must only visit the resident who requires your essential visit or care.

Each resident and/or their substitute decision maker (SDM) may designate a maximum of two caregivers.

Caregivers provide direct care and support to the resident, which may include assisting with meals, mobility, personal hygiene, cognitive stimulation and emotional support. These visits are unscheduled unless the resident is in self-isolation. Provided the Home is not in outbreak, both designated caregivers may visit at the same time. Caregivers are welcome between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m. These visits take place in the resident's room.

To designate a caregiver for a resident at Sunnyside Home, please complete and submit the Caregiver Designation Form. Please allow for 1-2 business days to support a request to designate a caregiver. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

The following protocols must be adhered to for designated caregivers:

• Caregivers must follow the above requirements for indoor visits.
• Caregivers must pass active screening and are required to wear personal protective equipment which includes a mask and face shield while inside. If visiting a resident who is symptomatic or in isolation, they will wear full personal protective equipment as directed by the Ministries of Health and Long Term Care which includes a mask, goggles, gown and gloves.
• Caregivers must be 18 years or older.
• Caregivers must review Sunnyside Homes Visitor Policy and complete mandatory training prior to visiting the Home. 

For more information, please contact a Team Leader or call the Sunnyside COVID Hotline at 519-893-8494 extension 6868. 

Please contact your team leader or a Registered Nurse at least 48 hours in advance to arrange a short stay absence and review the safety and screening requirements.

The following requirements must be adhered to for a short stay absence:

• Residents must wear a mask at all times (if tolerated) as well as those in the company of the resident.
• Visitors accompanying a resident on a short stay absence must be tested at a testing centre for COVID-19 within the 14 days prior to their visit and verbally attest to receiving a negative result.
• Staff will review the importance of public health measures with the resident and the person accompanying them prior to going out, including physical distancing and will provide residents with a copy the Safety Poster.
• Residents and anyone accompanying a resident must be actively screened upon return.
• Outpatient medical appointments are considered a short term absence.
• Emergency room visits that take place over a single night are considered a short term absence and do not require isolation or testing upon return. If the resident is admitted or if the emergency room visit is more than one night, the process for readmission will be followed.
• All goods or items that are purchased or obtained during an absence will be required to quarantine for a minimum of 72 hours upon return. We ask that all items be non-perishable.

Residents may leave the property for a temporary absence of one or more days for personal reasons. Upon return, residents will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. Please contact your team leader or a Registered Nurse at least 48 hours in advance to arrange a temporary absence.

The following requirements must be adhered to for a temporary absence:

• All requests for a temporary absence will be reviewed and approved by the Infection Control Coordinator (or delegate) on a case by case risk assessment considering the following:
  • The Home’s ability to support self-isolation upon return
  • Local disease transmission and activity
  • The risk associated with the planned activities
  • The resident’s ability to comply with local and provincial policies and safety protocols

• If the Home denies a request for a temporary absence this will be communicated in writing to the resident or substitute decision maker (as appropriate), including the rationale for the decision.
• Staff will review the importance of public health measures with the resident and the person accompanying them prior to going out, including physical distancing and will provide residents with a copy the Safety Poster
• Residents must be actively screened upon return and will be required to self-isolate for 14 days
• All goods or items that are purchased or obtained during an absence will be required to quarantine for a minimum of 72 hours upon return. We ask that all items be non-perishable.
• If the Home is in outbreak or if the resident is in self-isolation, all absences will be postponed until such time that the outbreak is over, or the resident is out of self-isolation.

Other ways to connect with residents at Sunnyside Home

We understand that you may want to connect with your loved one at Sunnyside and we hope that you will. In addition to the visits listed above, we would like to offer some support to keep you connected in other ways:

• If you are unable to visit in person, we invite you to schedule a virtual visit and connect by Skype, FaceTime or Zoom. Window visit are also available. Call the Sunnyside COVID hotline at 519-893-8494 extension 6868 to arrange.
• Send a letter by email to someone who lives at Sunnyside Home, we will be happy to share it with them. You can also send by mail to our address at 247 Franklin Street North, Kitchener ON. We encourage you to send photos and pictures along with your letters.
• If you would like to drop off a care package, please leave it in the box located between the two sets of main entry doors between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Please note that packages will be stored for 72 hours before they are delivered. Only non-perishable items will be accepted. Please make sure the package is clearly labeled with the first and last name of the person living at Sunnyside Home and the date the package was dropped off.