The Vista: A clean slate for a safer future

The Vista: A clean slate for a safer future

Life truly is a clean slate at The Vista. Here, at North Jersey’s newest, premier Continuing Care Retirement Community (CCRC) being built on Christian Health’s Wyckoff/Hawthorne campus, everything will be brand-new.

“In light of the pandemic, the fact that the entire community is brand-new is a huge benefit,” says Vista Charter Resident Susan Kraus, RN.

The Vista, for active adults 62 and older, is nearing completion and will open its doors in late spring. The community includes 161 finely detailed apartment homes and exquisite common space for amenities, including a variety of dining options, fitness center, performing arts center, and indoor aquatic center.

Since construction was in progress when the pandemic hit, The Vista took the opportunity to enhance infection prevention and control by incorporating numerous upgrades and protocols. This, says Ms. Kraus, was another “huge benefit.”

• Individual HVAC systems will use fresh air from the outside, not recycled interior air.
• An ionization feature in HVAC systems for common areas will help disinfect surfaces. The process not only kills coronaviruses, but also bacteria, mold, dust mites, pet dander, and volatile organic compounds.
• A UVC remote-control robot cleaner will complement the HVAC ionization feature. The robot, which is 9999% effective at disinfecting both air and surfaces, can be utilized in common areas as often as needed, and can also be used in individual apartment homes, if necessary.
• The frequency of cleaning common areas will be increased. Only products certified to kill coronaviruses will be used.
• Some amenities, such as live streaming performances from performing arts center or exercise classes, can be virtual.
• The Vista’s restaurants will be reconfigured to allow for social distancing. Menus can be viewed through an app, a dedicated website, and/or single-use paper menus.
• Paper screening forms can be replaced with a state-of-the-art digital screening kiosk, which has a component enabling touchless temperature measurement of staff and residents.
• Packages will be quarantined for 24 hours before being dispersed in The Vista community.
• One single point of entry will be designated for moving companies. Strict protocols will be in place.

Receiving the vaccine, as Ms. Kraus has done, is another measure which enhances safety and well-being.

“I’ve been a nurse for 44 years. I’ve worked on general medical/surgical units, the emergency department, and home care,” says Ms. Kraus, who is currently a case manager with St. Joseph’s Health. “I never had any doubt about getting the COVID vaccine.”

She never had any doubt about moving to The Vista, too.

“I did a lot of investigating,” Ms. Kraus says. “Christian Health has a great reputation. I know that the care is good. And CHCC has a real Christian attitude. If I need to go through the continuum of care, that is important to me. Everyone I have met so far is so respectful. I really feel like I am part of a community, even though The Vista hasn’t opened yet.”