Sunnyside Home in Hastings, NE

Seniors.FYI Elite Community Awards

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Pros

• The staff are attentive and caring.
• The Memory Unit personalizes care by understanding each resident’s habits, likes, and dislikes.
• Birthday celebrations are beautifully arranged, reflecting genuine care.
• Families feel welcomed and treated like part of the Kensington family.
• Residents can maintain independence with supportive leadership and engaging activities.
• The care staff treat residents with dignity, respect, and kindness.
• The food is excellent and the dining areas are well maintained with historic charm.
• Residents enjoy a variety of activities and entertainment, including music programs and Bible study.
• The Kensington is repeatedly described as a wonderful, loving place that feels like home.

Review

This Hastings community is best suited for families seeking memory-support and assisted-living that feel truly personalized, with staff who treat residents like members of the family. The Memory Unit stands out for its tailored routines, where caregivers know daily habits, preferences, and triggers, and adjust care accordingly. The campus combines historic charm with practical warmth: downtown Hastings location, dignified public spaces, and a culture that supports independence within a supportive framework. For families prioritizing attentive caregivers, clear communication, and a sense of belonging, Sunnyside Home (through its Kensington campus offerings) is a compelling match.

Those who may want to consider alternatives include families who prefer a more modern, clinical aesthetic or a facility with a different pace or price structure. If ultra-new design, a more clinical environment, or a guaranteed lower cost is a decisive factor, other Hastings options might be a better fit. Similarly, if care needs run toward highly specialized medical services that exceed what a combined assisted-living/memory-care setting typically provides, exploring a facility with a different acuity focus could be prudent. The Kensington/Hastings campus shines in personal attention and social vitality, but it may not be the perfect fit for every care plan or budget.

The strongest pros here, exceptional staff attentiveness, highly individualized memory care, robust activity programming, and a family-like atmosphere, meaningfully offset potential drawbacks. The care model emphasizes autonomy within structure: residents can maintain independence longer while still receiving hands-on support. The historic setting becomes a backdrop that enhances dignity rather than a distraction, with standout dining and engaging outings that keep residents mobile and socially connected. When concerns about isolation or impersonal care arise, these strengths repeatedly demonstrate why families feel confident entrusting loved ones to this team.

From a family vantage point, the lived experience across both memory care and assisted living is consistently positive. Reviews highlight birthday celebrations thoughtfully arranged, staff who know residents’ preferences, and swift responses to changes in condition. Families appreciate the ability to visit and participate in mealtime and activities, the presence of music programs and Bible study, and the sense that residents still have meaningful days. The staff’s compassionate approach is paired with practical supports, assistance getting loved ones to appointments, coordinated outings, and the ongoing sense that residents are not merely cared for but engaged in a life they enjoy.

Hospice partnerships and coordinated care emerge as meaningful strengths, underscoring a readiness to work with families through longer trajectories of aging. Care plans appear responsive and communicative, with staff who contact families when something is out of the ordinary and who seek to address questions by connecting families with the right caregiver. The result is a dependable, transparent experience where families feel informed and residents feel respected, heard, and included in decisions about their daily routines and activities.

For families moving forward, a practical next step is to arrange a visit and ask direct questions that mirror real-life decisions. Inquire about how memory-care plans are individualized, what a typical day looks like, and how staff measure progress in engagement and mood. Request details on apartment options, dining accommodations, and the cadence of family involvement, plus how transportation to appointments and community activities is organized. If the charm of a historic campus paired with intimate, attentive care resonates, Sunnyside Home’s Kensington footprint in Hastings stands as a well-founded, confidence-affirming choice for many seniors and their loved ones.

This area of Hastings, Nebraska offers a variety of amenities and services that may be appealing to seniors looking for a comfortable and convenient living environment. With several places of worship nearby, including Lutheran, Presbyterian, Seventh Day Adventist, and more, residents have opportunities for spiritual fulfillment. There are also many healthcare options in close proximity, such as orthopedic clinics, pharmacies, and a home care service. Additionally, the area features an array of dining options ranging from Chinese cuisine to classic American fare, as well as a local brewery for those who enjoy craft beer. For leisure activities, seniors can visit the Rivoli Theatre or explore the nearby parks and recreational areas like Lincoln Park and Prairie Lake State Recreation Area. Overall, this part of Hastings provides a mix of essential services, dining choices, entertainment options, and natural surroundings that may appeal to seniors seeking a vibrant community to call home.

Places of Worship

• Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd (0.3 miles)
• Seventh Day Adventist Church (0.7 miles)
• First Presbyterian Church (0.8 miles)
• Church of the Nazarene (1 miles)
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (1.2 miles)
• North Shore Assembly of God (1.3 miles)
• Church of Christ (1.3 miles)

Cafes

• Barista's Daily Grind (0.4 miles)

Physicians

• Central Nebraska Orthopedics & Sports Medicine (0.6 miles)
• Innovative Prosthetics & Orthotics (0.6 miles)
• Moscati Health Center (0.6 miles)
• Ashvini Sengar MD (0.6 miles)
• Mary Lanning Home Care Service (0.7 miles)
• Primary Care Center (0.8 miles)
• Hastings Laser Eye Surgery Center (0.8 miles)

Transportation

• Thrifty Car Rental (0.7 miles)
• Hastings Municipal Airport (HSI) (2 miles)
• Masterpiece Taxidermy (18.8 miles)

Pharmacies

• Crosier Park Pharmacy (0.7 miles)
• Keith's Pharmacies (0.9 miles)
• Keith's Drive-In Drug (0.9 miles)
• Bert's Rexall Drug (1.1 miles)
• Village Pharmacy (1.7 miles)
• Ron's Pharmacy (18.8 miles)

Restaurants

• Imperial Garden Express (1 miles)
• Special Scoops Ice Cream Parlor (1.1 miles)
• Runza (1.1 miles)
• Odyssey Downtown (1.1 miles)
• First Street Brewing Company (1.1 miles)
• Murphy's Wagon Wheel (1.1 miles)
• Sanchez (1.2 miles)

Theaters

• Rivoli Theatre (1.1 miles)
• Rivoli Theatre (1.1 miles)

Parks

• Hastings Park & Recreation (1.7 miles)
• Hastings Recreation Complex (1.7 miles)
• Lincoln Park (2.3 miles)
• Prairie Lake State Recreation Area (6.8 miles)
• Crystal Lake State Recreation Area (10.4 miles)
• The Nature Conservancy (13.5 miles)

Hospitals

• Hastings Regional Center (2.8 miles)