The impact of older persons' preferences to age in place and to live in age-integrated settings has given rise to a newly recognized phenomenon called NORCs or Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities. These communities are generally defined as neighborhoods or housing developments not built specifically for retirement or senior housing but in which aging in place has naturally resulted in creating a majority of the residents aged 60 or over.
NORC supportive service programs have been growing since the first one was initiated in 1986. In the next few years, two additional programs were funded with the assistance of the Robert Woods Johnson Foundation. In 1994, the State of New York passed NORC legislation which helped to fund ten programs including the original three. In the next two years, four additional programs were partially funded so that by 1998, there were 14 programs, 12 in New York City including two in public housing projects, and two in upstate New York.
NORC LEGISLATION
In June, 1999 a coalition of housing organizations, agencies and community groups were successful in engaging the New York City Council to pass NORC legislation. A total of $4 million was approved with the lion's share to go to creating new programs and a smaller share to help strengthen existing programs. It is expected that City funding will help create as many as 15-20 or more new NORC programs and help the existing twelve City programs to continue to flourish.
In December, 1999 knowing there is great interest in continuing to build NORC programs on a national basis, communications were commenced with the Federal government, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The proposals were greeted with much interest resulting in meetings with the Assistant Secretary of HUD, who not only expressed interest in NORC programs but gave us reason to believe that HUD would support the national development of these programs with HUD funding. Discussions were held regarding the funding of 3-4 pilot programs in such cities as Detroit, Chicago, Baltimore-Washington DC and Newark, New Jersey. There was interest expressed in greater funding in FY 2001 with as much as $50 million being considered.
A follow up meeting took place on January 28. Participants from the existing NORC programs presented the successful results of the program in the various communities.
CITY FUNDING
As of this writing, the twelve existing programs have submitted their proposals to the City. These programs will share a total of 40 percent of the approximately $4 million dollars set aside for existing programs. This will amount to about $1.52 million to be divided among these twelve programs. New programs are expected to receive a total of 60 percent of the total funds set aside for their use. This figure comes to about $2.28 million. There could be as many as 20-30 program submissions for these funds.
WARBASSE CARES FOR SENIOR
Amalgamated Warbasse Houses in Brooklyn, just celebrated their sixth year as one of the original three NORC communities previously described. The Warbasse Cares for Senior program is a partnership of the housing company, Jewish Association for Services to the Aging (JASA) and the Metropolitan Jewish Geriatric Health Systems with strong support from the UJA Federation.
Karen Steiber is Director of the program at Warbasse. This NORC supportive service program offers an array of social and recreational programs with a strong focus on healthy aging. The staff of eight includes social workers, a community health nurse, recreational therapists, van driver and personal care worker. Additionally, they have two student interns, a chaplain and a social work intern from NYU, both of whom visit twice weekly.
Warbasse Cares has 40 volunteer workers from the community who assist the 1600 seniors in various group services. Social workers and nursing staff handle the 450 frailer seniors in the program.
To meet the needs of those residents from the former Soviet Union, Russian speaking staff have been hired and offer English language and citizenship classes three times per week. Last fall, Warbasse took over a respite group for people suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other related dementia problems and expanded the program to two times per week.
In addition to the original Robert Woods Johnson Foundation grant, various monies have funded the Warbasse Cares program. The housing company commits over $100,000 per year to assure the continuance of the program. By contributing matching funds, Warbasse is entitled to State funding to help continue and expand the programs offered on site.
NYARM
Many NYARM members, compelled into finding help because they were faced with an aging tenant population, have been the innovators of programs, services and facilities for the elderly. But, that is nothing new for the men and women of NYARM. They are managers dedicated to enhancing the living conditions of their residents and devoted to the advancement of their profession through education.
On Wednesday, April 12, 2000 NYARM will present a seminar: Managing an Aging Population, The New Millennium Issue. NYARM has assembled a group of experts in the field of supportive services for naturally occurring retirement communities. As moderator, I will be joined by Nat Yalowitz, NORC Supportive Services; Anita Altman, UJA Federation; Fredda Vladeck, United Hospital Fund; David Stern, JASA and Ed Yaker, Amalgamated Houses. If you are experiencing this phenomenon at your building, development or home you need to attend this important forum. Conveniently located at Madison Square Garden, arrive at 9 AM for the seminar. A buffet lunch will be served at noon when the forum concludes. Panelists will stay through lunch to converse with attendees. The fee is $60 for NYARM members and their guests; $100 for non-members. Contact 212-505-8770 to register.
Rochelle Captan, RAM, CPM, nyarm has been managing real estate for nearly 40 years and has led the way for women in this industry. She has been the executive manager of Amalgamated Warbasse Houses for the last twenty-two years. Warbasse is a 2585-unit, five building apartment complex with its own power plant and shopping center. Rochelle is a founding member of the Board of Directors of NORC and has led the fight for State and City funds for the creation of NORC programs in housing companies that require assistance for their senior residents.