Official Site of The State of New Jersey

February 2022

Visitation and Activities

Indoor visitation is still allowed for all residents at all times, even during the current COVID Omicron variant surge. While the federal government is allowing facilities to consult with their local health departments about managing outbreaks, it has repeatedly made clear that indoor visitation is a priority and should continue. Only in very rare instances would visitation be paused or scheduling required. There could be stricter masking and/or social distancing requirements for visitors, but unscheduled indoor visitation should continue. Activities should still be happening as well, and facilities should get creative about activities during an outbreak. If your facility halts indoor visitation or activities completely, please contact the LTCO so we can advocate for you.

Vaccines

The federal mandate that all healthcare workers must be vaccinated remains in effect after being upheld by the US Supreme Court last month. This means that all healthcare workers must be fully vaccinated by February 28th or risk losing employment. This may cause even more short-term disruptions in staffing, but the LTCO is hopeful that this will make for safer and more stable conditions for residents in the future. If you are not fully vaccinated (including your booster shot) and wish to be, you can contact the LTCO for help accessing vaccines. The LTCO continues to believe that vaccines are vital not only in the fight against COVID but in ensuring consistent staffing and better quality care in the long run.

The LTCO Helps Residents of All Ages

The LTCO has jurisdiction under federal law to advocate for adult residents of all ages in long-term care, so anyone 18+ can contact our office for help. The LTCO is not limited to advocating for older residents.

National Guard Members Provide Vital Assistance at Nursing Home During COVID

In light of the stress COVID puts on the workforce, Governor Phil Murphy recently deployed about 150 Soldiers and Airmen of the NJ National Guard (NJNG) to 26 long-term care facilities around the state.

"These young men come in here and clean! They do such a good job and they are so cheerful and respectful. They bring sunshine to the unit," said Lucille St. Bernard, Resident Council President at New Community Extended Care, Newark, where she has lived since 2016.

"The staff feel supported, like what they do matters, and that when we needed help someone listened," said one nurse. Another said "The residents love the attention they are getting from [the Guard]."

At the NJ Veterans Home at Menlo Park, resident John Liptak's smile was clear to see behind his mask when NG Corporal Hanna Schwartz walked into the room.

The two have bonded over the past year. When the NG helped nurse a young group of ducks found on the property last spring, Corporal Schwartz and Mr. Liptak would sit outside and watch the baby ducks run around and play. Corporal Schwartz said her experience has piqued her interest in becoming a LTCO volunteer.

Another facility grateful for the NJNG assistance was Preakness Healthcare Center in Wayne. According to Lucinda Corrado, Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, the NG help included feeding residents, changing bed linens, helping with care, assisting certified nurse aides (CNAs) with the mechanical lift, and helping residents get around within the facility.

She saluted the leadership of Sergeant Genovese in observing special needs and mobilizing his Guard members to respond. When Genovese saw that some Preakness residents needed help to eat or to use mechanical lifts, he got approval for the Guard members to complete required training and assessments so that they could help with those tasks.

"The Guards were professional, courteous, receptive to learn, flexible to work during the hours needed (11 am to 7 pm) and willing to do any of the tasks within the scope of their engagement. The team quickly became skilled 'CNAs,'" Corrado said.