Sunnyside Health Care Center served the community for over 60 years, establishing itself as a place where thousands of residents found both compassionate care and meaningful connection. Founded in 1965, Sunnyside quickly became known for its commitment to excellence, consistently earning 5-star ratings and high satisfaction scores over its decades of operation. These accolades reflected the dedication and passion of Sunnyside’s staff, who worked tirelessly to ensure each resident received exceptional, individualized care in a warm, welcoming environment.
Throughout its history, Sunnyside Health Care Center fostered a lively and enriching atmosphere for residents. The center became more than simply a place to live; it was a vibrant community where birthdays were joyfully celebrated and sing-alongs and games brought smiles across generations. Volunteers and community groups regularly enhanced daily life at Sunnyside, sharing their time and talents with music, animals, and special events like car shows. Students became a cherished presence, crafting Valentine’s Day cards and building snowmen, adding youthful energy and joy to the setting. Ministers led sermons, communion, and prayers, while dedicated volunteers played cards and offered comfort with simple gestures like hand massages.
None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of Sunnyside’s staff, who were the heart of the care center. Their compassion shone most brightly during moments of both celebration and sorrow. They stood together as one family alongside residents and their loved ones, sharing in joys and heartaches, especially when honoring and remembering those who spent their final days at Sunnyside. The deep bonds formed between staff, residents, and families were what made their work so meaningful, creating relationships that all involved cherished and will long remember.
The center’s closure, announced in the latter part of 2023, was a deeply difficult decision, born from longstanding challenges within the broader landscape of healthcare. Regardless of the circumstances that led to its closing, Sunnyside Health Care Center’s legacy endures in the lives it touched and the multitude of moments—big and small—that made it such a valued part of the community. The gratitude shared by Sunnyside with its staff, volunteers, families, and, most of all, its residents, is a testament to the lasting impact that dedicated care and genuine connection can have. Although Sunnyside’s doors have closed, the sense of home and the spirit of kindness fostered there will be forever remembered by all who were a part of its story.