Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities

What are they?

Some of the earliest NORCs – naturally occurring retirement communities – were born in New York City.  The NORC Supportive Service Program (SSP) works at the individual and community level to maximize the health and well-being of all older adults; foster connections within the community; and empower older adults to take on new roles.  There have been Federal grants to nonprofit SSPs serving NORCs.  New York and other states provide funding for services to help elders age in place (home care, household services, transportation, case management, outreach).  By federal definition, NORCs can be comprised of single family houses in rural areas where (1) 40% of household heads are older individuals or (2) a critical mass of older people exists so a NORC program can achieve efficiencies in health and social services.  Three year grants are available from the Administration on Aging.

Aging Well:  Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurses Association

Population:  6,000 to 7,000 people over the age of 55 spread over an area about the size of the State of Connecticut, with a total population of about 35,000 people. The total population density is 5 persons per square mile, one third that of the Adirondacks.

Mission: To support older adults to age in place.

Funding: Receives foundation and business as well as state support.

Services: Public health services, classes, activities and social spaces in rural communities.   Services include fitness and nutrition classes, foot care, health screening clinics, intergenerational programs through schools and colleges, art classes, workshops, and physician referrals.

The Aging Well service area was formerly a mining and ranching area, but is now primarily a tourist area for skiing and mountaineering.  Growing old in this environment – all above 7,000 feet in elevation and most often many miles from the nearest small town – is challenging in the extreme.  For the elders who reside in this region, staying at home presents monumental issues around transportation, communication, and access to services.    As a consequence, elders move to larger cities for services that are affordable and accessible, or end up in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, even those whose functional abilities are still quite high.  Aging Well creates connections to communities where services are available and creates services where there are few.

“Aging Well makes a fundamental argument for creating intentional communities or natural gathering spaces that engage elders physically, psychologically and socially to sustain their functional levels and independence for as long as possible.  In that regard,” says the director, “we are no different from many of our urban counterparts, but our strategies have to be different.  Programs and services are offered to all people over the age of 50, and the program’s cornerstone philosophy is to provide wellness and prevention services to forestall the chronic health conditions so often associated with older age and to empower older adults to stay active and engaged in community life: to remain healthy, safe and independent at home for as long as possible.”

Links

NORC Blueprint

The NORCs Aging in Place Initiative