Sunnymere

  • 925 6th Avenue, Aurora, IL 60505
  • (630) 898-7844
  • 4.0 ( 18 reviews )
  • Assisted Living and Independent Living

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Description

About This Community
Sunnymere is a non-profit organization which strives to provide gracious living accommodations for senior citizens. Based on the belief that human dignity is paramount, facilities are provided at moderate, subsidized prices and accommodations are maintained at a level responsive to the changing needs of the community.

The seed was planted in 1895 with a gift of a house and lot from Harriet Colby. The Old Ladies' Home of Aurora was established. Another Auroran, Clara Bowron bequeathed her entire estate to establish the Bowron Home.

Realizing the necessity of a larger home for a growing community, the Old Ladies' Home and the Bowron Home combined resources to build Sunnymere on the land given by Jessie Farnsworth. The name Sunnymere was selected as a memorial to her, and the first residents moved in on July 16, 1939.

Sunnymere has undergone many changes since those early years. Today, Sunnymere is a licensed sheltered care home for seniors 65 years and older. Sunnymere has always provided residential care for Independent seniors. In 1998, due to a recognized need for assisted living services at a reasonable cost, Sunnymere began providing assisted living.
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Reviews

4.0 ( 18 Reviews )
review users
Darlene
October 05, 2022
Sunnymere seems like a nice home for older seniors (those that need more assistance), so I knew that place wasn't for me. They keep it nice and clean though. The dining area and the sitting area were pretty nice and everybody was friendly. They change sheets and do the laundry once a week. It just needs more lighting. It's a little dark when you come into the foyer part. If I was going that route, I would have preferred a suite. The suite, to me, looked more well-lit than the one-bedroom unit they had because it was on the fourth floor and it was lit up from the outside. So, I care more about that. The gentleman that gave us a tour was not the person who normally does the tours. He was nice and he tried his best, but he was just going a little fast. He showed me a multi-room that had a TV. There was also a library, a sitting area, an enclosed porch, and another adjoining enclosed room where you just sit and relax. They were beautiful. He showed us the outside walkway around the building, too, where they had flowers planted.
review users
Renee
October 12, 2021
We enjoyed the tour at Sunnymere. It was very homey. Even the residents that we interacted with were enjoying their time there. The facility was clean. The staff members were very knowledgeable, very upfront information. It was an old manor, and you can tell that it was an old home, but it did not even smell like a nursing facility. There were only two staff members that we interacted with, very open to the questions, and we got good information on that. I felt my personal opinion in for her; the facility would be claustrophobic. Until we got into the newer dining activity room because that area was open. And I didn't realize I was claustrophobic until I stepped into that room.
review users
Sherry
My parents are moving into Sunnymere, and I was very happy with it. The people working there are very nice and smiling, informative, and caring. The building was kinda old, but it was well kept up. The rooms were a little small, however, I can live with that. I like the activities with them every day, they're always able to go into the general activity room. They have two coordinators, one that gives the exercise to do, and another one that goes around to assist them when needed, and they have a lot of different activities as far as playing games and so forth, and just so many different things that I was very impressed with.
review users
Lorrie
July 08, 2021
Sunnymere was great. The lady I was supposed to see wasn't there, and the other lady that helped me didn't know I was coming. She was very nice, caring, informative, and was still able to accommodate me. All of the questions I had were answered in a booklet that they gave me. The single was about an average size. It had a sink with a mirror where you could wash up and a bathroom with a toilet (that was shared between two rooms). It was clean and easily accessible. They had a baby grand piano, and there were two young ladies that were watching the residents as they ate (while keeping a safe distance away without being an intrusion to the them). They were very nice. One of them said that she'd been there for seven years and the other one was there for four years. I like the fact that they have an experienced staff, and I appreciated that. They also had some two room suites. You bring your own furniture and decorate it however you want. The room that they showed me would be vacant, and somehow they would totally redo the room and put in new carpet. They make it new for the residents when they move in. They had a beautiful outside area with a screened in porch. There weren't a lot of activities that my mom would really do, like the happy hour because my mom doesn't drink, and bingo which I don't think my mom would play. They do offer different activities. Their chef is the guy that used to be the cook over at Bill's Diner too. The thing that I really liked the most was that the lady that I talked to told me that she would like to meet my mom before we make a decision, to make sure that my mom would be able to move in. The only drawback of that place was it's multi-level. They had elevators, but I prefer one level. Then if they had COVID restrictions, you could go around and see them through the window.
review users
Heather
October 10, 2019
Sunnymere was a little bit too small in their accommodations, and the food wasn't as varied as some of the other locations. The staff was very nice. The suites were like two rooms that had been put together. The dining area wasn't as bright and airy as the other places, and they didn't have as many areas to sit and have activities in.
review users
Picky_RN
November 05, 2017
I'm picky (I'm a nurse) and I have to say, Sunnymere is great. The DON was kind, helpful, and very patient. My Mom moved in pretty quickly, and she really loved the homey atmosphere. Everyone was kind to her there. The food smelled good too. The facility has a lovely dining room, reading area and terrace. The building backs up to Phillips Park Golf Course. We ended up having to move my Mom due to her increasing confusion associated with dementia. Nice place. Quiet. Golf course grounds. Professional DON.
review users
Craig725
September 27, 2017
Sunnymere is like a warm, friendly, family home. The management and staff are dedicated to providing the residents with excellent, flexible, accommodating care. There is a great ratio of staff to residents to provide watchful, compassionate, personal attention. The food is delicious and Mom has a beautiful view of trees, birds, and flowers. Our family is very thankful to Sunnymere for the great care they give Mom. Rest assured you will be confident in trusting Sunnymere with your parent’s well being and happiness.
review users
Lori305680
August 17, 2016
I did not like Sunnymere from the minute I walked through the door. The people were very cold, weren’t helpful, and were not forthcoming with the information.
review users
Judy725458
June 17, 2016
Sunnymere was homey and nice. The staff was very nice. They had inside activities, like hands-on arts and crafts and physical activities.
review users
BarbiDoll425474
I liked this place very much - it was homey and inexpensive. However, we realized right away that this would not work for my father as he is wheelchair-bound. This facility, being an old home, was not built with wheelchairs in mind. The doorways are simply not wide enough. But if someone is mobile and/or using a walker, it would be a great place to live. Nice people and, as I said, feels like home & not an institution.
review users
Darleen4
May 10, 2016
Sunnymere was an excellent place with only 27 residents. The food was too starchy for me, but Mom loved it. I decorated her room, so she has the fanciest room there with an office setup and a computer. Ruth is a registered nurse that runs the place, and she is the most caring, most wonderful, educated, workaholic person you could ask for. Judy, the marketing person, together with their board, are all wonderful people. I was impressed with their activities and would like to support and help them. The staff is just as sweet and humble as can be, and their attitude is phenomenal.
review users
Emily20
March 31, 2016
We visited Sunnymere, which is a non-profit community. The staff seemed nice and dedicated. The community is nice and cost effective with good age diversity. The place looked good and had nice, old-fashioned feel. The only thing I didn’t particularly like about it, from what I saw, was that they don’t really have individual bathrooms in the rooms because it is an older place. The rooms were nice, though.
review users
ChrisandTim
October 22, 2014
We visited several facilities for my mom before choosing Sunnymere, many of which exceeded a $4000 monthly cost. We also found that with the high hoity-toidy prices came more residents and fewer workers. At Sunnymere, the ratio of staff to residents is unbelievable, so many caring people who have at Sunnymere forever... ( a good testament to wonderful work environment and dedication to the elderly). My mom loves the quaint antique decor and the wonderful staff. As for me and my family, we are so happy and never worry about my mom's care. Renae, who in my opinion, is an amazing administrator, caring, energetic and beyond anyone that I could have hoped for. We thank God everyday for her.
review users
visitoften
October 18, 2014
I visited a few other locations and liked them, until I saw Sunnymere. I love the setting with the views of the golf course, the "home" feeling and even the screen porches with wicker rockers. I was impressed by the staff, from director to the aides and was impressed by the ratio of staff to client. The food is wonderful, there are numerous daily activities and I trust the staff with my mother-in-law. That feeling of confidence is so important to my family. I visit a few times a week and have always been greeted with friendly smiles. My mother-in-law is happy and well taken care of here, which is my bottom line.
review users
mydad'shappy
When the day to day chores of life became overwhelming for my Dad we found Sunnymere. Sunnymere is a lovely old Victorian home that sits at the edge of Phillips Park Golf Course serving good food. There is nothing institutional about Sunnymere. The staff is very respectful to all the residents and my Dad is receiving great care. When we were looking for a home for my Dad, several places looked like upscale hotels, but Sunnymere felt like a home, and at the end of the day you want your love one to feel at home. My Dad has been a happy resident of Sunnymere for a little over 2 years.
review users
mleej
October 07, 2014
My mother moved into Sunnymere last year. My Aunt has lived there for 10 years, so we were familiar with the dedicated staff and quality of the facility. The grounds are beautiful with mature trees and a view of the Phillips Golf Course. My mother enjoys the view of the golf course and the flowers on Smith Boulevard on her daily walks. And, the food is great!
review users
Love my soup
October 07, 2014
My father was a resident and was shown love and respect by all the staff and those in authority. He enjoyed the food and company around him. The facility is very homey and affordable.
review users
Visitor88390450
August 14, 2014
I knew immediately this is a no when I saw the rooms. The shower is in the hallway. The actual toilet is between living room and bedroom in a little hallway. It's horrible. How can you have the shower in the hallway? It's definitely an older building, very quaint and cute on the outside, but when you get in the inside you can tell it's a very old building which has not been updated. I think they had kitchens where they showed me. But it was just the layout of the rooms. I was so disappointed I didn't stay there very long. I went in and out. When they showed me the unit, and that the shower was in the hallway and the way the toilet was, I knew my mother would never want to be there. So it kind of wrapped things up. I didn’t spend a lot of time asking questions because I knew it was a no. The location is right off behind a park in Aurora, so it's a cute location. But as far as wanting to be there, as far as comparison of places, it just seem a little bit lower class.
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Other Living Options

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  • in-home-care In-Home Care