Sunnyside Home Long-Term Care

Caregivers provide direct care and support to the resident, which may include assisting with meals, mobility, personal hygiene, cognitive stimulation and emotional support. Each resident and/or their substitute decision maker (SDM) may designate up to four caregivers. These visits are unscheduled unless the resident is in self-isolation.

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 over the age of five are required to show proof that they have received the first and second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine
• All caregivers must pass active screening and receive a rapid test before they enter Sunnyside Home. Please review the active screening and surveillance testing requirements
• Caregivers must wear a surgical mask and other personal protective equipment as required (which is provided by Sunnyside Home) at all times while inside the building. If visiting a resident who is symptomatic or in isolation, the caregiver will wear full personal protective equipment as directed by the Ministry of Long-Term Care which includes a mask, goggles, gown and gloves
• Caregivers will be asked to review and sign off on Sunnyside’s infection prevention and control guidelines for visitors
• Caregivers are asked to practice hand hygiene upon entering the building, before exiting and frequently during the visit. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the building
• Food and/or drinks are not permitted during visits at this time. Caregivers are not able to purchase food or drinks from the Sandhills Café or the vending machine
• Caregivers must be 18 years or older
• Caregivers must review Sunnyside Homes Visitor Policy and complete mandatory training prior to visiting the Home
• Up to four general visitors or designated caregivers may visit with a resident at one time

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

Outdoor visits

Outdoor visitors are required to screen in through the chapel clinic before their visit. Proof of vaccination and rapid testing are not required for outdoor visits.

Outdoor visitors are not required to wear masks  when visiting outside unless they choose to do so. Masks will still be available to anyone who wishes to wear one outside and we continue to encourage safe physical distancing at all times. 

These visits do not need to be scheduled. If the resident you are visiting requires assistance to get to the visit and you are not able to assist them, please call 519-893-8494 ext. 6388.

A general visitor visits for social purposes and is not a designated caregiver.

General visitors may visit residents provided the resident is not in isolation. General visitors must provide proof that they have received at least two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine (unless they are under the age of five), complete active screening, receive a rapid antigen test for COVID-19 and wait 20 minutes for their result before entering the home for a visit.

Up to four general visitors or designated caregivers may visit with a resident at one time. 

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

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 a mask and other personal protective equipment as required 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.
• Essential visits may occur in a resident's room and are currently limited to two essential visitors and two general visitors per resident at a time. You must only visit the resident who requires your essential visit or care.

Residents  may leave the home on day absences for essential or social purposes regardless of vaccination status. 

Please contact the Team Leader or Registered Nurse at least 48 hours in advance to arrange for an absence.

The following requirements must be adhered to for day absences:

• Residents will be actively screened upon return
• Residents leaving the home for social reasons will receive a  a PCR test on day five after their absence.
• Please inform the team leader or Registered Nurse as soon as possible if a resident was in contact with someone who subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 while they were away from the home.
• It is strongly recommended that residents wear a mask when on an absence outside the home (if tolerated) and that all individuals who have contact with the resident be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Visitors accompanying a resident on a short absence must follow the active screening and surveillance testing requirements
• Staff will review the importance of public health measures with the resident and the person accompanying them prior to going out. This includes avoiding large social gatherings, following masking and physical distancing as much as possible, and only being in close contact with people who have had three COVID-19 vaccine doses.

If the home area 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.

Residents may leave the home for overnight absences for social purposes regardless of vaccination status. 

Please contact the Team Leader or Registered Nurse at least 48 hours in advance to arrange for an absence.

The following requirements must be adhered to for day absences:

• Residents will be actively screened upon return
• Residents leaving the home for an overnight absence will receive a PCR test on day five after their absence. 
• Please inform the team leader or Registered Nurse as soon as possible if a resident was in contact with someone who subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 while they were away from the home.
•  It is strongly recommended that all individuals who have contact with the resident be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
• Visitors accompanying a resident on an overnight absence must follow the active screening and surveillance testing requirements
• Staff will review the importance of public health measures with the resident and the person accompanying them prior to going out. This includes avoiding large social gatherings, following masking and physical distancing as much as possible, and only being in close contact with people who have had three COVID-19 vaccine doses.

If the home area 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.

Virtual visits and other ways to connect 

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 connect by Skype, FaceTime or Zoom. Call the Sunnyside COVID hotline at 519-893-8494 extension 6868 to arrange a virtual visit
• 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. Only non-perishable items will be accepted. Please make sure the package is clearly labelled with the first and last name of the person living at Sunnyside Home.