Bergen County Health Care Center, located in Rockleigh, has served as a prominent 110-bed skilled nursing facility owned and operated by Bergen County. Over the years, it has provided essential long-term care services to elderly and disabled residents, many of whom have required specialized nursing and supportive services. The facility, while once operating at greater capacity, has seen its resident numbers decrease over time, particularly due to shifting trends toward home- and community-based care for seniors and individuals with disabilities. Before its planned closure at the end of this year, the center housed only 46 residents, reflecting this broader movement away from institutional settings.
In recent years, especially since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bergen County Health Care Center adopted strict precautions, including halting new resident admissions in order to safeguard its community. Like many similar facilities, it faced considerable challenges during the pandemic, with residents and staff being affected by outbreaks and with the toll of the virus being especially high among long-term care populations in New Jersey. Despite diligent efforts to maintain safety, the ongoing decline in census and rising operational costs became increasingly difficult to manage. Financial pressures were compounded by inadequate reimbursement levels and the prospect of significant capital improvements, which would have required extensive and disruptive renovations.
The decision to close the Bergen County Health Care Center was made with the intention of consolidating in-patient long-term care services within the county. Residents and their families have been provided with options and support through this transition period, including the opportunity to transfer to another county-operated facility without incurring additional costs. The move is designed to facilitate immediate access to acute care services, as well as improve residents' accessibility to a broader range of services such as pharmacy, diagnostic, hearing, and dental care, which were sometimes logistically challenging to coordinate from the center's more remote location in Rockleigh.
Efforts have been made to ensure that both residents and the staff, which includes 92 full-time employees across nursing, food service, recreation, and other support roles, experience as smooth a transition as possible. Steps are being taken to help staff find continued employment, either within other county operations or at affiliated health care settings. Despite the facility’s closure, Bergen County has stated that there are no current or long-term plans to sell the center's building or its expansive 48-acre property. Throughout its operational history, the Bergen County Health Care Center has served as a vital resource within the county’s network of health and long-term care services, adapting to changing needs while striving to maintain the well-being and dignity of its residents.