NORCs: Unique Havens for an Aging America

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I am a long time member of the Nuuanu Ymca. As many of my friends and other members start to age, I noticed the loss of balance, uses of canes and limited mobility and thought of starting a tai chi class for seniors. I have been participating in a tai chi program for a while and noticed the benefits it affords. Many of the members of our program ,Hawaii Tai Chi and Health Association, are 65yrs and older, of Chinese heritage and speak Cantonese or mandarin however everyone is welcome...cost free. Another thing I noticed in this 100 plus informal membership is they are early risers (the program starts at 6:30a:m-9:00a:m every Saturday and Sunday rain or shine and obesity is non existent. Our program at the Ymca attempts to follow the guidelines of that group and we have built a bond among our group. My teacher at Hawaii Tai chi speaks no English and I no Cantonese...it`s been a wonderful journey.

tom amina of HI 1:46PM May 12, 2010

I am a senior student and my thesis is a comparative analysis on CCRC's and NORC's. I found this article to be very interesting and resourceful for my project research. I'm learning a ton about housing choices for the elderly which will be my main focus for the later half of my career. My first degree is in Occupational Therapy and I think these type of programs are a great asset to local communities. More states should require them.

A. Morris of IN 7:08PM April 03, 2010

We have a program that works very well here in Goldsboro,NC. It's called CHOSEN. Christians helping others serving every need. My church reaches out and addresses the needs of all our members which naturally covers the needs of our older members. Unfortunately as people turn away from churches the volunteers who are now helping will have to depend on ourselves as we age. Of course this because we are so close minded and unenclusive. Or so society tells me. We shall overcome.

Malcolm Wright of NC 7:06AM November 23, 2009

My Lions Club together with a few other interested individuals would like to develop services in our area to enable elders to remain in their homes as they age and avoid having to enter expensive assisted living facilities or nursing homes. We are located in a rural area of Maine including several very small towns and the capital city of Augusta. My own town is Monmouth with a population of less than 4,000. Maine has a high density of older people compared to other states.
Four questions:
Does this system of village development coordinate in any way or overlap with the Beacon Hill Village model developed first in Boston and now spreading throughout the US?
Second, are these villages more successful in rural and less affluent areas than Beacon Hill style villages? A big issue for any such projects is providing transportation in rural areas.
Three, most Beacon Hill style villages seem to rely substantially on membership dues for funding. Some solicit donations. Is guidance available for how to obtain available grants?
Four, where can I get detailed information on how to start a "Naturally Occurring Retirement Community"? Beacon Hill Village offers a "Founders Manual" providing guidance and recommended steps to follow. I have looked at the web site www.NORCs.com and perhaps have missed the correct page.
If anyone can respond with information I would greatly appreciate it.

Robert Mulliken of ME 12:54PM October 14, 2009

I am part of an emerging NORC in Chapel Hill NC and would like to get a speaker to come to speak to a group of 30 people who are interested in forming a NORC. Our emerging NORC is focused on healthy aging in place.

Janice G. Wells of NC 8:47AM October 14, 2009

Villages, like NORCs, enable people to remain in their homes and maximize independence. The Village model complements other community approaches to aging such as Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) and Area Agencies on Aging Programs.
If you want to learn more, The VtV Network will be conducting a Village to Village Symposium on Monday, October 26, 2009 in Washington, DC. This symposium will provide an opportunity for community leaders and professionals creating and operating Villages in communities nationwide to learn more about the model and share insights with peers.
The symposium will provide two concurrent workshop tracks to expand the peer to peer learning opportunities. Attendees seeking to learn more about how to start a Village will have an opportunity to learn about Village creation and start up activities. Village participants from the forty-eight operating Villages will also have an opportunity to meet with their peers to discuss strategies to enhance their operations.
More information here: http://www.ncbcapitalimpact.org/forms.aspx?ekfrm=1392

Candace Baldwin of VA 9:23AM October 13, 2009

I recommend that interested parties view the web site: www.NORCs.com, to learn more about the UJC initiative.
I also recommend researching the new U.S. Administration on Aging program: Community Innovations for Aging in Place. This program, spurred on by the interest and success of UJC's NORC demonstrations, was authorized by Congress in 2006 and initiated this past September (2009), to expand awareness and opportunity and promote innovation in community-based programming that supports aging-in-place.

Robert Goldberg of DC 9:38AM October 09, 2009