Aging in Place: Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities

The desire to age well in our homes tends to drive us to explore ways to safely remain in the community as long as possible. But safety isn’t the only concern: we hope to be independent, engaged, empowered, connected, and have access to resources when we need them as well. Naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) offer an opportunity to coordinate livable communities that ensure we can comfortably age in place.

A NORC, unlike an actual retirement or independent living community, is a community that is not necessarily designed for older adults, but has a high percentage of residents over 60 years of age. These communities aren’t marketed, or even thought of, as retirement communities, but they foster an environment for older adults where they can live together and age well with access to services and activities as they are needed and desired. NORCs can be as small as an apartment building or as large as entire neighborhoods. Although not specifically designed for older adults, these age-integrated communities can offer activities, social support, opportunities for individual and group growth, and access to services and resources when they are needed. 

For service providers, these high-density areas are a natural fit to provide support through NORC supportive service programs (NORC-SSPs). Within the neighborhood, NORC-SSPs can dedicate staff to identifying and connecting residents with services or activities to address their individual needs – culturally, physically, and emotionally. Outside the neighborhood, partnerships with community-based organizations, healthcare providers, faith-based organizations, recreational partners, transportation agencies, and even property management can help promote physical, social and emotional well-being to residents.

One such community in Cleveland, Ohio is Community Options, a NORC program of the Jewish Federation of Cleveland, which originally began as a partnership between landlords and tenants. Here, resource coordinators are available to assist residents with resource development and service coordination, emphasizing the importance of choice and flexibility to empower older adults to age well in place. Individuals in this community feel that they can find help when it is needed, and emphasize the importance of connecting with their neighbors and helping their fellow community members.

For policymakers, NORCs offer a cost-effective route towards the growth of livable communities that empower older adults to age in place. With continued funding and resource support, especially at the local level, cities can create and maintain communities that address the needs of residents through zoning, public health, safety, availability of services, and dedication to resources which address the racial, cultural, and linguistic needs of each community member.