Senate Hearing Addresses Value of NORCs

The Senate Subcommittee on Retirement Security and Aging held a hearing on Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) May 16. Chairing the hearing were Senator Barbara A. Milkulski (D-Md.) and Senator Mike DeWine (R-Oh.).

“As our nation anticipates the retirement of 78 million baby boomers, we must look at model programs that help keep seniors at home and independent. Seniors should be able to stay in the communities they know for as long as possible,” said Senator Mikulski in a press release. The release also noted that twenty-seven percent of all Americans over the age of 60 live in NORCs. In the past several years, organizations and government entities have developed supportive service program models for NORCs that include providing residents with social work services and health, transportation and recreational programs. These programs allow seniors to remain in their neighborhoods and live independently while receiving essential services in their homes.

Those testifying at the hearing included Elinor Ginzler, Director of Livable Communities at the AARP’s Office of Social Impact. Ginzler outlined some of the characteristics of NORCs and cited AARP surveys that show most older adults want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. She then explained how NORCs can serve as models for developing service-enriched 50+ housing.

“NORCs offer a unique opportunity to develop service delivery models that take advantage of efficiencies of scale. That is, providing services where concentrations of seniors are aging in place may make it possible to serve more older individuals at lower cost,’ which would allow residents to stay in their homes and avoid institutionalization. Ginzler pressed for further research on NORCs, stressing that “understanding NORCs and the value of providing supportive services can help public and private policymakers plan more livable communities.”

Fredda Vladek, Director of the Aging in Place Initiative at New York’s United Hospital Fund, also testified. Vladek gave a detailed account of her 20-year-plus involvement with NORCs and the development of supportive service programs, and gave several examples of the successes and challenges of such programs. She also stressed, like Ginzler, the importance of research as a key to learning the best ways to help older adults age in place.

Senator Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.), also joined the hearing and expressed her support for NORCs and senior housing initiatives.

For more information on the Subcommittee Hearing “Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities: A Model for Aging in Place,” click here.

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