Bergen County Health Care Center Will Close By The End Of 2021

ROCKLEIGH, NJ — The Bergen County Health Care Center in Rockleigh will close permanently by the end of 2021, county officials announced, citing a "series of factors."

Despite the facility having a "decades-long reputation of providing exemplary skilled-nursing care to the long-term community," county officials have decided to consolidate in-patient health care services into one facility: Bergen New Bridge Medical Center.

Long-term care will be provided at the Paramus hospital, which also provides immediate access to acute care services as well as pharmacy, diagnostic, hearing, and dental services, officials said.

As far as why the shift is happening now, here's what the county had to say:

"Due to new and emerging trends in long-term living, inadequate reimbursement, fixed overhead costs, a shift toward home or community-based care, outdated infrastructure along with the COVID-19 pandemic, the current occupancy is less than 50 percent of the 110-bed capacity. With diminishing census but fixed overhead, operation of the facility has become less cost-effective, and continued operation of the facility is no longer in the best interests of the long-term care community or County residents. Over the last five years, BCHCC has continued to experience a gradual decline in residents, and in addition, the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis revealed that immediate access to acute care services will better serve long-term care residents."

The county is offering "numerous options" to avoid a reduction in workforce due to the closure, and has secured new positions at the County Health Department and Bergen New Bridge Medical Center, officials said.

A 60-day notification period is required for this type of actions, but officials said they've announced their decision well ahead of that timeline in an effort to provide "residents and families with plenty of time to plan a transition."

Current residents have the option to stay within the county network by relocation to Bergen New Bridge, with county representatives "coordinating every step of the transition effort with state regulatory authorities," officials said.

"The County of Bergen is dedicated to ensuring a seamless transition for Bergen County Health Care Center’s residents as we work to consolidate the County’s in-patient health care services," said County Administrator Tom Duch.

"Over the next few months, we will be working closely with residents and their families to provide information and assistance during this transition so they can continue receiving the high-quality, compassionate care they have come to know in a centrally located, acute care setting. We owe a debt of gratitude to our nationally recognized staff who are true healthcare heroes, working tirelessly each day to create an at-home, individualized experience for residents. We are grateful for everything they are doing to keep residents healthy and safe and look forward to working with each of our valued employees to find options for employment at other healthcare facilities."

The health care center will be hosting meetings with residents, employees and other "key stakeholders" over the coming weeks and months, which officials hope will address any questions about the coming changes.

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