NORCs are communities or buildings where a large proportion of residents are older, and live independently. They are not comprehensive senior-only housing or retirement communities per se, and were not designed as such. Nor were they set up to specifically address seniors’ health or social service needs.
Deeper dive
NORCs are one successful living model that helps seniors age-in-place. Commonly, NORCs include older residents who have remained in their own homes or apartments while younger residents migrated from the neighborhood. They could also be age-friendly communities or housing complexes that attract older residents who are intent to live out the rest of their lives there.
NORCs are found in cities, suburbs, and rural areas. Numerous NORC programs work to coordinate health care, social services, recreation, and educational opportunities; all with the goal of assisting older people to remain in their own homes and on their own for as long as possible. Private philanthropy groups as well as federal, state, and local funds support NORC programs.
NORC programs bring together social workers, nurses, and residents “to address the needs of seniors in the community.” Although services and projects vary by community, most include:
- Social work services. This includes a broad range of support to individuals and caregivers.
- Nursing services. This includes individual care to older adults managing chronic conditions (such as referrals for reimbursable skilled care services and coordinating medical care with physicians) and activities that address health issues affecting many community residents.
- Educational and recreational activities. NORC program activities – lectures, concerts, classes, field trips, card games, cultural activities, discussion groups, and more – are diverse and designed to engage the broad range of seniors in the community.
- Opportunities for community engagement. Senior residents make NORC programs possible through their roles as program advisors and ambassadors, fundraisers, teachers, and peer counselors, among others.
- Ancillary services. These reflect the unique needs of each community and are intended to advance the broader goals of the NORC program. Examples of ancillary services are transportation, housekeeping, and social adult day programs.