Our Response to COVID-19
In the midst of changing circumstances like the COVID-19 pandemic, our community has become one of the safest places you can be! We have:
- Vaccinated – 95% of residents and 96% of staff.
- Required weekly testing for all unvaccinated staff and residents.
- Strengthened cleaning services with the latest medical-grade disinfection equipment, including electrostatic sprayers and an Ozone Sanitizing System.
- Prepared for the future with a two-month stockpile of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that continually replenishes, including N95 masks and gowns.
- Offered full transparency to residents and their loved ones through frequent written updates and communication from organizational leaders.
- Completed renovations in Mountain View, resulting in a two-floor nursing unit filled with private rooms for residents and a fresh atmosphere designed for today’s seniors.
Moreover, we have adopted many new policies and practices in order to manage the pandemic and comply with new regulations. In particular, we are actively meeting the requirements given by the New Jersey Department of Health. Which governs all long-term care facilities in the state and provides many important details regarding the management of COVID-19 in long-term care facilities like the Home.
Please see below for information regarding the Windmere’s ongoing response to COVID-19.
VIEW THE HOME’S OUTBREAK RESPONSE PLAN
FOR URGENT QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS PLEASE EMAIL FAMILYINFO@HCHNJ.ORG.
VISITATION:
Procedures for Indoor Visitation
OUTBREAK – Indoor Visitation Informed Consent 11-30-2021 (1)
NJ REGULATIONS:
Executive Directive 21-012 about resumption of services in all Long-Term Care Facilities
Executive Directive 20-017 about outdoor visitation requirements
Executive Directive 20-026 about re-opening services
Executive Directive 21-001 and accompanying memo about indoor visitation
May 12, 2021 Memo re: Mandatory Guidelines for the Provision of Services, Group Activities, Visitation, and Testing in all Long-Term Care Facilities.
What is the Home's current status?
Our recent COVID outbreak has been concluded, we are open to visitors.
The most recent Northwest regional CALI score can be found by clicking here.
How is the Home managing distribution of COVID-19 vaccines?
Residents and staff are continuously offered COVID-19 vaccinations and should contact the Infection Control Nurse to inquire or schedule a vaccination.
COVID-19 bivalent booster clinic was held for residents and staff in October
We are thrilled that all interested residents and staff are able to be vaccinated!
To date, 95% of all residents and 98% of all staff have been fully vaccinated!
Informational Resources:
How is the Home managing the COVID-19 pandemic overall?
Since COVID-19 entered the first US long-term care facility in early March of 2020, the Home has been preparing for the virus. More than a month before our first case of COVID-19, our Emergency Management Team began responding.
Given the global pandemic is still ongoing, it is imperative that we work together with community leaders and industry allies both now and in the future. All along, we have been in constant communication with public health authorities and industry experts, including:
- Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
- New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH)
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- North Haledon & Passaic County Offices of Emergency Management (OEM)
- North Haledon Mayor’s Office
- New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA)
- American Health Care Association (AHCA)
- LeadingAge (American Association of Homes & Services for the Aging)
You can view our Outbreak Response Plan above.
How is the Home communicating with residents and families?
During this challenging time, communication with residents, families and staff has been one of our highest priorities. Executive Director & Administrator periodically sends an email update to members of our community. If you are a resident or a family member of a resident and would like to receive these updates, email info@hchnj.org.
Additionally, residents are updated throughout the week via mail, verbal announcement, and TV announcements as needed.
Contact us anytime with questions regarding the Home’s response to COVID-19. Urgent COVID-related questions can be emailed to familyinfo@hchnj.org.
Is the Home accepting visitors?
In accordance with current CDC and NJDOH regulations, the Windmere is open to visitors. Please see Procedures for Outdoor & Window Visitation and Procedures for Indoor Visitation for more information.
Indoor visits do not need to be scheduled in advance. However, if you would like to schedule a window visit or outdoor visit, please call the Director of Activities at (973) 427-4087, ext. 612.
How does the Home monitor symptoms?
All unvaccinated residents and staff of the Windmere are routinely tested based on the County’s Community Transmission Level in accordance with NJDOH’s May 12, 2021 memo.
Additionally, staff are screened before each shift for a variety of signs and symptoms as recommended by the CDC. Residents are screened daily and are closely monitored for any signs of new or unusual symptoms.
Does the Home have enough PPE?
Yes, we have not stopped purchasing and storing additional PPE, including N95 masks, gowns, face shields, and gloves. We have at least two months’ worth of PPE available for staff at any given time. Additionally, an OSHA-compliant Respiratory Protection Program has been developed and implemented for the use of respiratory PPE.
Staff are routinely trained in proper PPE usage. All staff are required to understand how and when to use PPE.
If you would like to donate towards PPE, please contact the Windmere Foundation.
What about communal dining and resident activities?
In-person activities and communal dining continue to be provided daily. Many activities, including exercise routines and devotionals filmed by our staff, also air on our in-house resident TV channel each day, giving residents the option of participating from their rooms.
How is the Home sanitized?
Since March of 2020, we have increased our cleaning and housekeeping procedures. We have also bolstered our Housekeeping Department with improvements such as the procurement of electrostatic sprayers and an Ozone Sanitizing System, a state-of-the-art piece of medical equipment used to disinfect rooms and PPE and protect against viruses.