Sunnyside Presbyterian Retirement Community sits on 147 acres in Harrisonburg, Virginia, with the Blue Ridge Mountains all around, so folks see pretty views and feel a sense of calm most days, and when people show up, they usually notice right away that the community feels both warm and friendly, almost like people want to help you settle in, and there's enough space for folks to spread out. There are independent living choices for people who are active but want a smaller place to manage, and you'll find assisted living in the Eiland Assisted Living Center for those needing help with daily activities, plus skilled nursing care, and secured memory care at the Terrace for those facing dementia, so all told, it can serve up to 506 residents and offers the chance to change levels of care without leaving the community. The nursing home includes 17 Medicare and Medicaid-certified beds opening in June 2025, part of the larger 84-bed skilled nursing building, with an additional 78-bed assisted living facility and 14 memory care beds. Sunnyside's not-for-profit, with Nancy Wayland as Executive Director, and it's got a strong tie to the Presbyterian church.
People living here stay busy because the activity calendar's full of things like lifelong learning classes, art, scrapbooking, billiards, woodworking, Mahjong, Tai Chi, Wii bowling, fishing, and a steady flow of outings-museums, plays, concerts, and even overnight trips to places like Niagara Falls or Savannah. Residents get involved with things like Apple Butter Festival, Casino Night, wine tastings, lectures, and car shows, plus there's live music, group sing-alongs, and worship services-sometimes folks join the Bible study or choir or even start their own interest groups, so it's really easy to meet others. Volunteers are always welcome, with residents often leading programs and socials. Special events-like luaus or masquerade balls-keep things lively, and if someone's up for more adventure, there are organized travel programs to places as far as Bermuda or Alaska, maybe even a Mississippi River cruise thrown in.
The amenities cover a wide range, with a Wellness Center that's won awards for supporting all kinds of health, from physical to spiritual, and you'll find a fitness room, walking trails, gardens, billiards, libraries, common rooms, a business room, and a woodworking shop. People get a choice of three main dining venues: the Tartan Grill, Marketplace café for breakfast and lunch, and the 1912 Bistro where there's a pub-style setting, sometimes with entertainment, and folks have meal plans with allergy-friendly and diabetic meal options prepared by a chef. You can pick a private, semi-private, or deluxe private room, all with private baths, kitchenettes, cable TV, Wi-Fi, air conditioning, and phones; some rooms look out over the gardens or mountains, and there are both one-room and two-room suites across independent and assisted living, along with furnished rooms for folks in nursing care.
The grounds are easy to get around, with outdoor sitting areas, gardens, common spaces for picnics, and walking paths you can use whenever the weather's good. Safety gets attention, too-there's an emergency alert system and staff on hand around the clock. The whole setup is close to Rockingham Memorial Hospital and Hess Orthopaedics, so medical help is nearby if it's ever needed. Services like housekeeping, move-in help, laundry, and a concierge are standard, so daily living runs pretty smooth. Residents and their families join together in councils to talk through suggestions or concerns and help make improvements. Sunnyside's also received several awards for its wellness and care programs, showing a long commitment to health, support, and quality that goes back more than 113 years. There are also sister communities, King's Grant in Martinsville, and Summit Square in Waynesboro, both set in scenic areas with their own special features, and Sunnyside offers virtual tours for anyone interested in seeing what the place is like before making a decision.
