Legacy
Throughout its history, as a facility, foundation, and community advisory fund, the mission of Grotta has remained focused on improving the quality of life of older adults and their families primarily living in Essex, Union and Morris counties in New Jersey.
Grotta’s history dates back to 1916 when, for her 80th birthday present, Theresa Grotta’s friends formed the Theresa Grotta Aid Society for Convalescents. The society’s goal was to help needy families in Newark, as Theresa Grotta did, and later women recuperating from surgery as they transitioned from the hospital to home. In 1979, a building in West Orange, NJ, was purchased and the name was changed to The Theresa Grotta Center for Rehabilitative Services. As a 142-bed skilled nursing home and rehabilitation center, services were provided to the elderly on a non-sectarian basis.
Facing changes in the health care industry, the facility was sold in 1993, and the proceeds of that sale were used to establish a private foundation, the Grotta Foundation for Senior Care. The foundation awarded more than $3 million in grants to promote and support elder caregiving, senior programs at synagogues, and a range of community programs serving the elderly.
In 2003, the Grotta Fund for Senior Care was established with the Jewish Community Foundation. Here the Fund focuses its efforts on supporting aging in place with funding for programs and strategic grant initiatives.
Since 2003, more than $5.5 million has been awarded in grants.
Grants at Work
Even in the face of the current national economic times, Grotta remains committed to its support for programs and services helping seniors. Described below are some notable grants in the recent past.
Grotta supported several grants that expanded community’s programs and services concerned with chronic disease management, medication management, mental health issues, and challenging behaviors of frail seniors in our rapidly aging population.
Many grants successfully improved the care of seniors with chronic illnesses, low vision and mental health challenges.
In 2008, funding to Holy Redeemer Home Care for additional home-based health monitoring equipment enabled 51 seniors with congestive heart failure to be remotely monitored for 90 days, resulting in early identification of medical problems, fewer rehospitalizations, and improved medication compliance.
In 2009, JFS of Central NJ initiated a program “Congestive Heart Failure: Beyond the Borders of the Hospital” which provided assistive devices, geriatric nursing oversight,improved medication management, and reduced rehospitalizations.
SAGE's Eldercare’s Eldercare Planning and Guidance Program received funding in 2008- 2011 to assist older adults and their caregivers with care planning services. Thisprogram continues to guide families and connect them with a range of services and resources.
Grotta Fund for Senior CareGrotta funding has expanded several national evidence-based model programs for improved mental and physical health for diverse elderly individuals, improved care transitions and reduced rehospitalizions, improved socialization, and enhanced mental and physical health affecting the health of older adults.
