Sunshine Personal Care Home

Pros

• The owner is described as a true blessing and very helpful.
• She provided her personal cell number and responds promptly to questions.
• She consistently goes above and beyond for all residents.
• The facility is described as spacious, clean, and appropriately staffed.
• The reviewer was excited for their mom to move in.
• The staff reassured that the resident would be in good hands and helped set up her room for comfort.
• The reviewer recommended Sonshine Manor to others.

Cons

• They describe Sonshine Manor as a cash grab, citing a $1,000 non-refundable deposit that was kept.
• They allege the facility kept the mother's belongings and did not return them.
• They report the mother arrived unable to walk, on 16 medications, and with only a trash bag of belongings.
• They assert the facility admitted her despite knowing she wasn't a fit for memory care, supposedly to profit.
• They claim the full month's fee was charged even though she stayed only a week.
• They say the mother was lost for two days and never informed.
• They recount a prolonged re-homing process that took over a month.
• They would not recommend Sonshine Manor, advising others to keep their loved ones away.

Review

Sonshine Manor is described in two markedly different lights by families who have firsthand experience with it, painting a picture of a place that can feel like a refuge in one moment and a source of deep concern in another. One reviewer opens with warmth and gratitude, portraying the manor as a homey, beautiful setting that exudes a welcoming, almost familial atmosphere. The owner is singled out for her extraordinary availability and generosity. According to this account, she offers a personal touch that goes well beyond what families typically expect: a direct cell phone number for questions, rapid and consistent responses, and a readiness to help at every turn. The tone is almost reverent as the reviewer thanks the owner for the ongoing assistance and reassurance, emphasizing that she "goes above and beyond for all her residents" and calling her a true blessing. The piece ends with a simple push to others looking for an appropriate place for a loved one, inviting them to visit Sonshine Manor.

In contrast, a second family's experience casts a very different light on the facility, rooted in a sequence of events that began with a sense of cautious optimism and ended in serious distress. This account starts with a dementia diagnosis that led to a social worker's referral and the family's belief that the facility would be a suitable, caring home. The facility is described as anxious to take in the mother, and the staff's assurances about compatibility with her condition are framed as confident and reassuring. The reviewer stresses that at the outset the mother was not on medications and was mobile, painting a picture of a resident who seemed initially like a good fit on the surface. The campus itself is portrayed as spacious and clean, and the staff's assurances about the room's location near an entrance were intended to address safety concerns for a woman who could wander.

However, the narrative quickly shifts to a troubling turn of events. The family describes a complex and troubling sequence: a hospital call two days after the move revealed that the mother had allegedly assaulted a male intern, a development that the family says disqualified her from residency at the facility. The family, living out of state, was left scrambling as a social worker was assigned to relocate her, a process that stretched over more than a month. The mother supposedly arrived at the new facility by taxi in a condition described by the reviewer as unable to walk and carrying a large medication burden - 16 medications - along with only a small trash bag of belongings. The reviewer asserts that Sonshine Manor retained the mother's belongings even after the family had gone through a personal belongings checklist, and that the $1,000 non-refundable deposit was kept as well, leading to accusations of a "cash grab." The implication is that the facility may have known she was not a good fit for their program, yet admitted her anyway for financial reasons.

The narrative grows darker as the reviewer reveals what happened behind the scenes after these initial moves. The family's caretakers allegedly learned that the facility had "lost" the mother for two days, a troubling claim that was never communicated to the family. The broader accusation - that the adjustment from memory care to a facility capable of handling a patient with dementia was mishandled - frames the experience as not merely unfortunate but potentially negligent in its impact on the patient's safety and dignity. The reviewer reflects on the difficulty of navigating elder care from a distance and questions the facility's judgment in accepting a resident who was not a proper match for their level of care. The deposit and the belongings issue compounds the grievance, painting Sonshine Manor as a place that could exploit vulnerable families financially while failing to protect or properly steward a resident's personal items.

Taken together, these two accounts illustrate a striking contrast in what families seek from elder care and what they actually encounter. On one side, a deeply personal, responsive, almost familial engagement that simplifies the process for anxious relatives, offering direct lines of communication, rapid replies, and a sense of unwavering support. On the other side, a story of misalignment between a resident's needs and the facility's capabilities, punctuated by miscommunication, perceived financial discipline at the expense of trust, and serious safety concerns that persisted long after the initial move-in. The second account underscores the real-world risks that can accompany transitions for loved ones with dementia, especially when families are navigating these decisions remotely and under urgent stress.

For anyone considering Sonshine Manor, these narratives collectively emphasize the importance of thorough due diligence and a clear understanding of what a memory care versus an assisted living environment truly entails. Prospective families should verify the level of care appropriate for their loved one, confirm whether the facility can meet specific needs (such as wandering risk, medication management, and mobility status), and obtain written assurances about policies on deposits, belongings, and the handling of patient transfers between facilities. The contrasting experiences suggest that even a facility with a seemingly inviting atmosphere and a personal, responsive owner can, in practice, present serious challenges if the care level and the resident's needs are not properly aligned. In the end, the choice of a care setting remains a deeply personal and consequential decision, one that benefits from careful questions, clear expectations, and thorough follow-through to protect a loved one's safety, dignity, and financial well-being.

This part of Clayton, Georgia, offers a variety of amenities that may be attractive for seniors looking to settle in the area. There are several reputable restaurants within walking distance, providing convenient dining options. Additionally, there are multiple physicians' offices and a hospital nearby, ensuring easy access to healthcare services. The presence of places of worship and pharmacies indicates a strong sense of community and access to essential services. For recreation, there are cafes where seniors can socialize with friends over coffee, as well as parks for outdoor activities and relaxation. Overall, this area provides a mix of convenience, community resources, and recreational opportunities that may appeal to those looking for a comfortable and engaging environment in which to live.

Restaurants

• Rumor Hazit (0 miles)
• Universal Joint (0 miles)
• Clarks' on Main (0.1 miles)
• Laguna Mexican Restaurant and Bar (0.1 miles)
• Clayton Cafe (0.1 miles)
• Chick-Fil-A (0.2 miles)
• Huddle House (0.2 miles)

Physicians

• Clayton Medical Associates (0.1 miles)
• North Georgia Eye Clinic & Laser Center (0.3 miles)
• Northeast Georgia Physicians Group Clayton II (0.6 miles)
• Atlanta Gastroenterology Associates (0.7 miles)
• Pennington Charles R MD (0.7 miles)
• Dr Stephen W Jarrard MD (2.9 miles)
• Habersham Anesthesia Association (19.7 miles)

Places of Worship

• Clayton United Methodist Church (0.2 miles)
• North Clayton Baptist Church (0.7 miles)
• Newlife Community Church (0.9 miles)
• Battle Branch Baptist Church (1.8 miles)
• Jehovah's Witnesses (2.3 miles)
• Tiger Methodist Church (3.1 miles)
• Southern Baptist Convention (4.1 miles)

Pharmacies

• Clayton Pharmacy (0.2 miles)
• U-Save-it Pharmacy (0.3 miles)
• CVS Pharmacy (0.4 miles)
• Walgreens (0.5 miles)
• Valley Pharmacy (6.3 miles)
• Walgreens (19.8 miles)
• Carson's Pharmacy (19.8 miles)

Transportation

• Heavens Landing (GE99) (0.3 miles)
• U-Haul Neighborhood Dealer (0.4 miles)

Hospitals

• Rabun County Hospital (0.3 miles)
• Mountain Lakes Medical Center (0.8 miles)
• Rabun County Hospital (0.9 miles)
• Stephens County Hospital (20.1 miles)
• Chatuge Regional Hospital (20.5 miles)
• Chatuge Regional Hospital & Nursing Home (20.5 miles)
• Tri State Urology Assoc (20.5 miles)

Cafes

• Starbucks (0.4 miles)
• The Rusty Bike Cafe (0.8 miles)
• Valley Cafe (6.7 miles)
• Cupboard Cafe (7 miles)
• Junction Cafe (9.1 miles)
• Mountain Rest Cafe (15.5 miles)

Parks

• Black Rock Mountain State Park (1.8 miles)
• Highlands Aerial Park (9.6 miles)
• Tallulah Gorge State Park (9.7 miles)
• Tallula Gorge Overlook 2 (9.7 miles)
• Tallulah Gorge Overlook (10.5 miles)
• Sam Pitts Park (19.6 miles)

Theaters

• Tiger Drive In Theatre (2.7 miles)