This year, we celebrate a remarkable Sunnyside Adventist Care Centre milestone — 60 years of service, compassion, and unwavering mission. Sunnyside holds the distinct honour of being the very first Seventh-day Adventist care home in Canada. This pioneering beginning laid the foundation for a legacy that reminds us daily: this work is not just healthcare — it’s ministry. With 97 residents, 180 dedicated staff, and hundreds of family members who pass through our doors each year, we see Sunnyside as a vibrant missionary field, planted right in the heart of our community.
Our mission, “Caring for one another as Christ would,” is not a slogan — it’s the heartbeat of everything we do. Whether providing clinical care or offering a listening ear, we aim to reflect the love of Jesus in every interaction.
We offer the highest level of long-term care services — for many, the only higher level of care would be hospitalization. On-site physicians, dentists, hairdressers, foot care nurses, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists support residents regularly. We also have access to dieticians and psychologists as needed. We are blessed with a full-time physiotherapy assistant, four recreation team members, and a dedicated Seventh-day Adventist chaplain who nurtures the spiritual needs of our community. Our nursing team is at the heart of it all, providing compassionate, around-the-clock care daily. Behind the scenes, we’re supported by incredible staff across multiple departments — from housekeeping, laundry, and dietary services to administration and maintenance — all working diligently to keep things running smoothly and ensure every resident feels cared for and at home.
We have also embraced the Eden Alternative Philosophy of Care, which has brought transformative change over the past decade. The Eden approach challenges the institutional model of care, instead focusing on creating a human habitat filled with purpose, connection, and joy. Our residents are not passive recipients of care; they are individuals with stories, choices, and the right to thrive.
This commitment to joyful living is evident during our summer annual Family Fun Day. Families of both residents and staff are invited for a day of celebration, laughter, and connection. The courtyard fills with children, games, music, and smiling faces. Tables overflow with treats like watermelon slices, slushies, popcorn, ice cream, and more — a feast of simple pleasures that everyone enjoys. It’s a day when generations come together — where residents are surrounded by the energy of youth and the warmth of their extended community. The joy is contagious, and every year we’re reminded that enhancing quality of life means creating space for fun, fellowship, and shared moments.
Physical space matters, too. Over the years, we’ve made countless renovations and enhancements to ensure that our building isn’t just functional — it’s home. From creating inviting common areas to expanding service spaces, every improvement is guided by our desire to enhance the quality of life for both residents and staff.
Diversity has become one of our greatest strengths. Our residents come from many different cultural and religious backgrounds. Most recently, we had the opportunity to care for a Jewish resident. Our Spiritual Care policy creates a supportive and inclusive environment that respects each resident’s cultural and religious beliefs and practices. The protocol outlines several essential steps to be followed — including who is permitted to touch the body after death, and the appropriate positioning of the body while in the room and during its departure. Honouring these unique end-of-life traditions required learning, collaboration, and compassion. With guidance from our chaplain and the support of the family, our team ensured that their final journey was treated with dignity and deep respect — a testimony to our commitment to serve everyone with Christ-like love.
Our staff, too, reflects God’s global mission. Around 25% of our staff members are Seventh-day Adventists, many of whom came from countries where the Church’s missionary work has long planted seeds of faith. Now, these individuals serve right here at Sunnyside — a beautiful reminder that the fruits of global mission bear life and hope in our community.
We ask for your prayers as we continue planning for the future. Our greatest dream is for every resident to have the privacy and dignity of their room. We are developing a proposal for the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) to build additional rooms. Please pray that this vision will be approved and come to life.
If Sunnyside’s mission stirs your heart, we welcome your support. Volunteers are needed for outings, Bible studies, assisting at mealtimes, or simply offering the ministry of presence. Every smile shared and every moment spent with our residents brings Christ’s love closer.
After 60 years, we’re not slowing down. With God’s help, we’ll continue to care, witness, and grow until Jesus comes again.
To learn more about Sunnyside Adventist Care Centre, please visit us at www.sunnysidecare.ca.
By Ana de Paula, Life Enhancement Coordinator, Sunnyside Care
