Sunny Side Retirement Home

    1600 US-221, Forest City, NC 28043
    • Independent Living
    • Assisted Living

    Friendly staff, residents miss owner

    I love this place - the staff are friendly, the grounds are beautiful, and the residents are great company. I have a deep affection for the owner and already miss them when they're away.

    Current/former resident
    Jul 2026

    Pricing

    Prices shown are estimates and subject to change. Contact your senior living advisor for current pricing.

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    Amenities

    Healthcare services

    • Activities of daily living assistance
    • Assistance with bathing
    • Assistance with dressing
    • Assistance with transfers
    • Medication management
    • Mental wellness program

    Healthcare staffing

    • 24-hour call system
    • 24-hour supervision

    Meals and dining

    • Diabetes diet
    • Meal preparation and service
    • Restaurant-style dining
    • Special dietary restrictions

    Room

    • Cable
    • Fully furnished
    • Housekeeping and linen services
    • Kitchenettes
    • Telephone
    • Wifi

    Common areas

    • Beauty salon
    • Dining room
    • Garden
    • Outdoor space
    • Small library

    Community services

    • Move-in coordination

    Activities

    • Community-sponsored activities
    • Resident-run activities
    • Scheduled daily activities

    Reviews

    3.67·(9)

    Overall rating

    1. 5
    2. 4
    3. 3
    4. 2
    5. 1
    • Care

      3.7
    • Staff

      2.3
    • Meals

      3.7
    • Amenities

      3.7
    • Value

      3.7

    Pros

    • Engaged, well-liked owner
    • Friendly front-line staff
    • Attractive, well-maintained facility
    • Positive social atmosphere among residents and staff
    • High overall resident satisfaction

    Cons

    • Staff conduct and interpersonal tone
    • Inconsistent staff behavior and courtesy
    • Poor external communication responsiveness
    • Gaps in staff training and management oversight

    Summary of reviews

    Overall impression The available reviews present a mixed but instructive picture. Several comments express strong affection for the owner and note a pleasant physical environment and friendly individuals on site. At the same time, multiple observations raise operational concerns about staff interactions and administrative responsiveness. Prospective residents and families will want to balance the facility's attractive setting and positive social dynamics against patterns of communication and conduct that may affect day-to-day experience.

    Care and staff Reviews indicate a divergence in staff performance. Many describe friendly, caring interactions that contribute to a welcoming atmosphere; others describe encounters that indicate problems with interpersonal tone and empathy. These contrasting accounts suggest inconsistency in how staff communicate with residents — in some cases staff appear attentive and personable, while in other instances their tone or approach has caused family distress. The pattern points to a need for clearer expectations, consistent training in resident-centered communication, and stronger supervisory follow-up to ensure uniform standards of care.

    Dining and activities The provided comments do not include substantive detail about dining quality, menu variety, or the activity program. There is indirect evidence of a positive social environment, which may reflect well-run communal activities, but this is not explicitly documented. Families should request current menus, sample activity calendars, and opportunities to observe or attend events during a tour to evaluate these areas directly.

    Facilities Several reviewers praised the physical environment, describing the property as attractive and well maintained. These remarks suggest the facility presents well and offers a comfortable living space. Prospective visitors should still confirm unit condition, common-area cleanliness, and any recent maintenance or renovation history during an in-person visit.

    Management and communication The owner is consistently described in favorable terms and appears to be a valued presence. However, there are clear concerns about administrative communication: reviewers note difficulty reaching the facility by phone and frustration with unresponsiveness. Coupled with the inconsistent staff conduct, this pattern indicates gaps in front-desk processes and supervisory systems. Addressing telephone responsiveness and implementing routine staff coaching or performance reviews would likely reduce these operational issues.

    Notable patterns and guidance for families Key patterns are (1) a generally appealing facility and a well-regarded owner, and (2) inconsistent staff behavior and unreliable external communication. Those considering this facility should ask management how they handle staff training, incident escalation, and family communications; request to meet the owner and front-line staff; and arrange an unannounced visit or trial stay if possible. Direct observation of staff–resident interactions and a demonstration of the facility's phone/communication protocols will give the clearest sense of whether the environment aligns with a prospective resident's expectations.

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    Location

    Map showing location of Sunny Side Retirement Home

    Sunny Side Retirement Home is located at 1600 US-221, Forest City, NC, 28043.

    About Sunny Side Retirement Home

    Sunny Side Retirement Home has 34 apartments and senior living units where people can choose between studios, one-bedroom, or shared apartments, and there are even in-room washers and dryers if that's something someone likes, and you'll see each apartment gets regular housekeeping and laundry, so not much to worry about when it comes to cleaning and maintenance, which is handy if you don't get around like you used to. The place offers assisted living, memory care, and regular senior living, so care looks different for each person, and the staff do personalized needs assessments for every resident and then offer support with daily things like bathing, grooming, eating, moving from a bed to a wheelchair, monitoring diabetes, and physical therapy services whenever that's necessary, plus they've got people who help with medication and doctors do monthly checks. For folks with Parkinson's, they have staff who know what to do and programs meant to help keep people moving and safe.

    Dining is all taken care of, with meals served three times a day-breakfast, lunch, and dinner-and snacks in between, and cooks will make special meals for those with dietary needs or for celebrating birthdays and other events, which adds a nice touch on special days. The home lets people bring small pets, so you'll see a few animals around for company, and if you like to be busy, the calendar's always full with daily recreational activities, arts and crafts, games, fitness classes, movie nights, socials, and both community-led activities and ones run by residents themselves; there's even a library, computer room, fitness room, games and entertainment area, art room, and a movie room if you want to be indoors, along with gardens, patios, and scenic walking paths outside for when you want some fresh air.

    There are added services like help with moving in, optional concierge services for things like dry cleaning or errands, and transportation if someone needs to get to an appointment or wants to join off-site trips and picnics. Security's a focus too, with a 24-hour security system, keyless keypad entry, and emergency alert systems, and staff are present at all hours to respond if anything happens. Family and friends are included, with regular gatherings planned so people stay connected, and the staff, who all speak English, aim to make living comfortable, with everything tailored to individual needs whether that's more support, social opportunities, or simply a quiet place to read in the well-stocked library. Sunny Side Retirement Home, managed by Homestead and led by President Mr. Michael Wellmon, is a corporation and part of a Continuing Care Retirement Community; though it doesn't have BBB accreditation, people here find there's a sense of reliability and routines that make life a bit easier for seniors looking for help with living and ways to stay active.

    People often ask...

    Sunny Side Retirement Home offers competitive pricing, with rates starting at a cost of $4,124 per month.

    Sunny Side Retirement Home offers independent living and assisted living.

    The full address for this community is 1600 US-221, Forest City, NC 28043.

    No, Sunny Side Retirement Home does not offer respite care. Respite care in assisted living communities provides temporary, short-term relief for primary caregivers by offering professional care for their loved ones. It allows individuals to stay in an assisted living community for a limited time, giving caregivers a break while ensuring residents receive necessary support and assistance with daily activities.

    Safety & Compliance

    In North Carolina, the Division of Health Service Regulation licenses adult care and assisted living facilities, posting annual, complaint, and follow-up inspection results.

    License number921161
    Facility typeAdult Care Home
    Capacity34 residents
    View the official license record

    Inspection Reports

    19

    Reports

    7

    Type A Citations

    10

    Type B Citations

    2

    Complaints

    12

    Years

    14 Jan 2026Follow-Up
    Identified hazards from three unsecured oxygen tanks and a portable electric heater, creating risk of injury or fire.
    • Type A10A NCAC 13F .0306 (a)(5)Housekeeping and Furnishings
    • Type B10A NCAC 13F .0311 (b)(2)Other Requirements
    22 Oct 2025Inspection
    Observed a portable electric heater in a staff office and a lack of signaling devices for residents needing assistance, causing residents to yell for help.
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0311 (b)(2)Other Requirements
    • Type B10A NCAC 13F .0311(j) Other RequirementsOther Requirements - signaling devices
    • Type B10A NCAC 13F .0909Resident Rights
    22 Oct 2025Inspection
    The findings identified safety and resident-care deficiencies, including unsafe heating practices and inadequate signaling devices, with required follow-up actions noted.
    • Unsafe use of heating device; signaling concerns
    • Care and signaling for residents; response to calls for help
    • Call bells and resident safety monitoring
    02 Feb 2023Follow-Up
    Investigated health care referral/follow-up failures and a medication administration lapse involving Hibiclens not given as ordered.
    • Type B10A NCAC 13F .0902(b)Health Care referral and follow-up
    • 10A NCAC 13F .1004(a)Medication Administration
    02 Feb 2023Follow-Up
    Assessed care documentation and medication-related practices, identifying missing care notes and insufficient medication administration documentation.
    • Type BContinued From page 2-3
    • Type BContinued From page 3
    • Type B10A NCAC 13F .1004(a) Medication AdministrationMedication Administration
    • Type B10A NCAC 13F .1004(a) Medication AdministrationMedication Administration
    • Type B10A NCAC 13F .1004(a) Medication AdministrationMedication Administration
    22 Nov 2022Follow-Up
    Identified deficiencies in medication administration and oversight, including failures to order unavailable eye drops and to conduct regular medication audits.
    • Medication administration oversight
    22 Nov 2022Follow-Up
    Investigated a medication administration deficiency involving a resident with glaucoma; the prescribed eye drops were not consistently administered and were unavailable, risking increased eye pressure.
    • 10A NCAC 13F .1004(a) Medication AdministrationMedication Administration
    14 Apr 2022Follow-Up
    Investigated a series of deficiencies including missing door alarms for a wandering resident, inadequate supervision leading to elopements and fires, and extensive medication administration errors, along with none of the residents being offered outings.
    • Type B10A NCAC 13F .0305(h)(4)Physical Environment
    • Type A10A NCAC 13F .0901(b)Personal Care and Supervision
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0905 (f)Activities Program
    • Type A10A NCAC 13F .1004(a)Medication Administration
    • 10A NCAC 13F .1004(j)Medication Administration
    • G.S. 131D-21(2)Declaration of Residents' Rights
    16 Apr 2019Follow-Up
    Found safety hazards due to improper storage of portable oxygen cylinders. Corridor doors did not latch, creating fire and projectile risks.
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0306Housekeeping and furnishings
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0311Building equipment maintained safe, operating
    16 Apr 2019Follow-Up
    Investigated the follow-up survey and found safety hazards including a door that would not latch and unsafe storage of portable oxygen cylinders.
    • Type A10A NCAC 13F .0300 - Physical Plant / Building Equipment Maintained Safe, OperatingBuilding Equipment Maintained Safe, Operating
    13 Feb 2019Construction
    Identified multiple safety and maintenance deficiencies, including exit door locks requiring two motions to open, unsafe handling of portable oxygen cylinders, clutter and hazards, inadequate fire drill documentation, numerous door and wall deficiencies, and non-working bathroom exhaust.
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0305(h)Exit door locks—single hand motion
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0306(a)(5)Housekeeping and furnishings—free of hazards
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0309Fire safety rehearsals on each shift
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0311Building equipment maintained safe, operating
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0311(g)Exhaust ventilation
    13 Feb 2019Construction
    Identified several deficiencies including unsafe exit door hardware, improper storage of oxygen cylinders, incomplete rehearsal records, and ventilation-related concerns.
    • Exit Door Locks-Single Hand Motion
    • Housekeeping - Maintained Free of Hazards
    • Fire drill/Rehearsal Records (Incomplete)
    • Building Equipment Maintained Safe, Operating
    • Exhaust Ventilation
    11 Oct 2018Inspection
    Investigated a safety concern about knives during meals; found knives not being properly managed and residents could be helped by staff to cut food, raising potential hazards.
    • Continued From page 2
    11 Oct 2018Inspection
    Observed that meals were served without knives and residents could not safely cut their food; staff did not routinely provide knives at the table.
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0904(b)(2)Nutrition And Food Service
    23 Feb 2017Construction
    Found a deficiency in environmental requirements; hand grips on toilets were not installed as required.
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0306Housekeeping and Furnishings
    23 Feb 2017Construction
    Identified multiple deficiencies in safety, environment, and maintenance, including missing current sanitation and fire safety reports, missing hand grips in bathrooms, non-single-motion exit hardware, unsecured fixtures, and lack of exit signs and emergency lighting.
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0302Current sanitation and fire safety inspection reports
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0305Bathrooms-Hand Grips
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0305(h)Exit Door Locks-Single Hand Motion
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0306Housekeeping and Furnishings
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0311Other Requirements
    18 Jun 2015Follow-Up
    Investigators found multiple deficiencies including unsafe housekeeping, lighting and fixture problems, and concerns with food service safety and residents' rights.
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0306(a)(1)Housekeeping And Furnishings
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0306(a)(3)Housekeeping And Furnishings
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0306(a)(5)Housekeeping And Furnishings
    • Type A10A NCAC 13F .0904(a)(1)Nutrition and Food Service
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0904(a)(2)Nutrition and Food Service
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0904(e)(4)Nutrition and Food Service
    • G.S. 131D-21(2)Declaration of Residents' Rights
    03 Dec 2014Construction
    Identified multiple safety and building-code deficiencies, including missing current sanitation and fire safety reports, blocked fire door, compromised fire-rated construction, hazards in corridors and closets, non-working exterior lighting, improper oxygen cylinder storage, and use of a portable electric heater.
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0302DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0311OTHER REQUIREMENTS
    • 10A NCAC 13F .0311OTHER REQUIREMENTS
    03 Dec 2014Construction
    Investigated a safety-related complaint and found multiple deficiencies affecting safe egress and the use of heating devices.
    • Type AContinued From page 2
    • Type AUnvented fuel burning room heaters and portable electric heaters prohibited

    Disclaimer

    Mirador Living is not affiliated with the owner or operator(s) of Sunny Side Retirement Home. The information above has not been verified or approved by the owner or operator. For exact information, please contact Sunny Side Retirement Home directly. There is no cost for this service. We are compensated by the community you select.

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