August 13, 2014 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 11 The Holland Christian Home: It’s about community Tucked away on 14 acres in the small suburban com- munity of North Haledon, the Holland Christian Home is often referred to as “North Jersey’s best kept secret.” Compared to many of today’s sprawling, corporate health care facilities, this 150 bed continuing care retire- ment community may be smaller in size, but this only lends to the warm, homelike atmosphere found among the residents and staff and in the rooms and hallways of the “home.” From the smile of the volunteer greeting visitors in the lobby to the laughter of the residents playing a game in the multipurpose room, or the employee chatting with a resident mailing a package in the business office – it’s readily apparent the home is not just another health care facility. It’s a close-knit community of staff and resi- dents, friends and neighbors, all dedicated to the well- being of the seniors who live here – something that is evident from the top on down. Holland Christian Home Administrator Caryn Edel- bach knows the meaning of community. Born and raised in Hawthorne, she received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from William Paterson Uni- versity and her master’s in public health from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She then worked locally for 14 years at Care One Facilities. Edelbach has invested herself in the Passaic/Bergen area. She has served as secretary on the board of direc- tors of Saint Anthony’s School in Hawthorne, and lives in North Haledon, just a stone’s throw from the Holland Christian Home. While her role as administrator certainly keeps her busy, she always makes time for each resident who comes to see her. It is not uncommon to find her par- ticipating in special events and activities with residents. She has even been known to accompany them on trips to the local diner for an occasional breakfast out. Getting to know the residents as individuals is a priority at the Holland Christian Home and it is what makes the home so special. Edelbach’s coworker, Holland Christian Home Direc- tor of Nurses Kathy Tanis, is also her neighbor. Tanis chester and Eastern Christian high schools. Tanis grew up in Union Reformed Church on High Mountain Road. After it closed its doors a few years ago, she and her hus- band began attending Hawthorne Gospel Church, where they are now actively involved. With over 13 years of work history and experience at the Holland Christian Home, Tanis is intimately acquainted with all the “ins and outs” of this homey community. She personally knows not only the residents, but most of their families – which places her in a unique position to provide nurs- ing care to her patients and support and encouragement to their families. Tanis and Edelbach are both instrumental in main- taining the high standards that make the Holland Chris- tian Home the exceptional retirement community it is. For the second year in a row, the Holland Christian Home has received a “deficiency free” rating from the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services, after their extensive two-day inspection. This is the highest rating possible and is uncommon for a facility ever to receive, let alone two years in a row. Edelbach, Tanis, and their entire staff are commit- ted to continuing the home’s tradition of devoted care in a warm homelike atmosphere. Because at the Holland Christian Home, it’s not just about quality health care… it’s also about community. Caryn Edelbach, LNHA, administrator and Kathy Tanis, RN, director of nursing Caryn Edelbach, LNHA, administrator and Kathy Tanis, RN, director of nursing lives just a few houses away from Edelbach. Tanis and her husband are long-time residents of North Haledon, and their now grown daughters are graduates of Man-