Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC)
NORCs are multiunit buildings or geographic areas that were planned for people of all ages. However, over time, the building or area has evolved to include a significant proportion of residents aged 60 and over (often over 50 per cent), which is due to existing residents staying and aging in place or because of an influx of other older people who have chosen to relocate to the building or area.
- Building-based NORCs Services Program: As increasing numbers of age-integrated family apartment buildings have evolved into NORCs, more building managers are collaborating with community-based organizations to provide a coordinated program of services and programs for older residents. Typical services may include a meals program, supportive assistance services, recreational and social programming, and facilitated access to personal care and health-related services. Some services are developed and provided by the program sponsor; provision of other services is coordinated through a variety of existing community service providers. The cost of services is not included in the resident's monthly rent, but is covered in a variety of ways: residents may pay an annual membership fee; residents may pay full or discounted rates for specific services or program features; some residents may be eligible for services through publicly financed programs (such as Medicaid, SSI, or congregate meals provided by the local Office for the Aging). The intent of a building-based NORCs Services Program is to create a residential living environment that supports successful aging in place in an age-integrated setting.
- Neighborhood-based NORCs Services Program: As increasing numbers of older people remain living in their own homes during the elder years, many villages, neighborhoods, groups of streets, parts of towns and cities, and sections of regional areas have evolved to include a significant proportion of residents who are aged 60 and over. An increasing trend is for a community-based service organization to provide a coordinated program of services and programs for the older people living in the defined service area. Typically, services and programs are made available through existing community-based service agencies, and costs are covered through a variety of ways: annual membership fees, discounted fees for certain services and full fees for others, and some residents are eligible for publicly financed programs. The intent of a neighborhood NORCs Services Program is to support the ability of older people to remain living in their own homes safely and successfully for as long as possible.
Neither building-based nor neighborhood based NORCs Services Programs requires licensure by the New York State Health Department as the programs do not directly provide personal or health-related care; such services and care are arranged to be provided by existing community agencies that are licensed to provide such care.
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