Naturally Occurring Retirement Community
Description
Desmond Ng:
"In New York City, a unique programme encourages seniors to stay in their homes for as long as possible instead of moving to retirement villages.
The Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) is a multi-age neighbourhood or housing development where older residents can access health and social services at their doorsteps. These include two social workers on site, a full-time nurse, and free classes and activities tailored to their age group.
An apartment building can qualify for NORC funding if more than 42 per cent of residents are over the age of 60, said Ron Bruno, the executive director of Morningside Retirement and Health Services which administers an NORC programme.
He said: “I remember when I was working in a nursing home, when a young person walked through the doors, the older people’s faces would light up. They may not have seen a young person in weeks. So it’s a very unnatural setting.
“But a NORC truly is a natural setting where people of all generations live together.”
Shirley Davidson, 86, a resident at Morningside Gardens NORC, appreciates living in such an environment. “Being in a nursing home would be like death. Here, I have a beautiful view, I have friends and there are activities I can take part in,” she said."