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Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC) Presentation

A Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) is a community that has naturally developed a high concentration of older residents. This occurs because seniors tend to either remain in their homes or move to these areas upon retirement.

The term was coined by Michael Hunt (University of Wisconsin-Madison) in the early 1980s. Unlike traditional retirement homes, NORCs are not built—they evolve.

Classification of NORCs

NORCs come in various shapes and sizes but generally fall into two broad categories:

Category Also Known As Description
Housing-based “Classic,” “Closed,” or “Vertical” Located in a single age-integrated apartment building, a housing complex, or a cluster of buildings under common management.
Neighborhood-based “Open” or “Horizontal” Typically consist of one- and two-family homes located within age-integrated neighborhoods.

How NORCs Evolve

NORCs develop unplanned through three primary processes:

  • Accumulation: Existing residents “aging-in-place.”
  • Relocation: In-migration of elderly residents.
  • Out-migration: Younger generations moving out of the area.

Why NORCs Matter: Demographic Shifts

Demographic trends indicate that seniors are living longer and overwhelmingly prefer to age in place.

  • Wisconsin Context: Between 2015 and 2040, the population aged 65+ is projected to grow by 640,000 people (a 72% increase).
  • National Context: This growth is mirrored throughout the U.S., making NORC development a critical public health priority.

Creating Healthier NORCs

Developing a healthy NORC is a low-cost alternative to increasing traditional healthcare or social services. To support these communities, governments should evaluate policies regarding:

  • Zoning (residential and business)
  • Transportation and public safety
  • Parks, recreation, and private sector investment
  • Taxation and health service facilities

Service Delivery Paradigms

The high density of seniors in NORCs allows for a shift in how services are provided:

Feature Old Paradigm New (NORC) Paradigm
Provider Location Off-site and distant On-site (office within the development)
Accountability Low community interaction High accountability to residents
Model Type One-size-fits-all Tailored to specific resident needs

Strategic Goals of NORC Programs

  1. Empowerment: Enable older adults to shape the communities they live in.
  2. Social Connectivity: Weave a tighter social fabric and foster resident connections.
  3. Well-being: Maximize the physical and mental health of all residents.

Case Study: New York: Both New York State and City have established successful programs. As of 2017, the NY Department for the Aging (DFTA) managed 28 designated NORCs.

Key Benefits

For Residents

  • Supports the ability to age in place successfully.
  • Reduces vulnerability to social isolation and depression through increased activity.
  • Provides services specifically tailored to the community’s unique characteristics.

For Service Providers

  • Creates economies of scale; it is more cost-efficient to serve a concentrated group than to provide case-basis delivery over a wide area.

For Communities

  • Acts as a preventative approach to aging.
  • Delays or eliminates the need for expensive relocation into professional healthcare facilities or nursing homes.

Source: Wisconsin DHS – Dementia Demographics

Presented by: Sridevi Mohan, Epidemiologist, Public Health Madison & Dane County

Created for Coffee Breaks, March 2018