Sunnyside Gardens

My mother has been a resident at Sunnyside Gardens for over a year. The staff has been very understanding and caring with both of us through a difficult transition. It is very telling that when you walk into the facility, both the staff and the residents seem cheerful. What is most important is that my mom feels cared for and safe.

I enjoyed working here for about a month until I was not so comfortable with the environment and team members. I worked PM shifts and NOC shifts. What really made me uncomfortable were the team members and how they always spoke a different language and I could not understand anything, even if there was an emergency situation, the caregivers and nurse would speak another language to each other and I would not know what to do. I was simply following other employees around and just mimicking their gestures. The communication between them and I was so poor. At one point I told them that I do not understand what you are saying because it is not English, which was leaving me confused and unknowledagle of what to do. Another huge 'no no' was how some employees would make fun of the residents and state that they are being annoying because of how they keep asking questions. Who would enjoy being called such things while they have a disease?... It was appalling for me. For my shadowing process, I barely learned how to provide proper care for the residents because the team member did not speak English properly and I couldn't understand her. I was not even able to get to know the residents well since no one was explaining anything to me about the patient history and challenges that I may encounter with them. It was almost like a automated process care. It obviously looks as if everyone is just doing their job here and not really showing exceptional care for each resident. I really enjoyed getting to know the patients for the short time I was there but I did not learn anything effectively as a caregiver status. One of the issues I also faced was that there were not enough caregivers for NOC shift in order to attend to the residents for answering pendants and incontinence care. I witnessed so many residents falling when it can be avoided. I would like to work somewhere where I am happy and facing challenges so I can gain confidence in what I do. I do not enjoy sitting around in an environment where people are texting or talking to CO workers very loud while residents are asleep in the next room. It certainly isn't respectful to play in your resident's wheelchair and/or with their walker while you are on break or just have nothing to do also. I also did not like that the nurse in charge on NOC shift was also speaking another language, therefore making me feel uncomfortable and unwanted.I was seeking 8 hour shifts, in reality it was 7 hours and 10 minute shifts. I highly believe they hired me because they are in desperate need of caregivers at a low compensation.I did not feel like I was apart of the team. It felt like I was an outsider who was just passing time there. I wish all the best to the residents and I hope there are better care methods given to them. They do not know or understand much because they are going through a disease and can be easily taken advantage of.

While visiting an old friend, I was impressed by the cleanliness, the staff & the room itself. Lovely dining area and backyard area. Time will tell, but for now 5 stars!