Adirondack Rural Health Network

Healthy Aging

Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC)

A Naturally Occurring Retirement Community or NORC is a community that was not originally designed for older adults, but has a large proportion of residents who are older. A NORC is a community that has naturally developed a high concentration of older residents because older adults tend to either remain in, or move to, these communities when they retire. A neighborhood-based NORC is typically located in a neighborhood of one and two-family homes.

By taking full advantage of the skills and experiences of older residents and other resources, communities are finding strategies for supporting aging in place. Because of the density and proximity of older adults in NORCs, economies of scale make it possible to rethink the ways services can be organized and delivered, creating opportunities to make these communities good places in which to grow old.

Posted below are documents compiled by the Adirondack Rural Health Network as they partner with other community organizations as well as community members to research and plan a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community in the Warren and Washington County area.

Background Documents

1. Albany Neighborhood NORC Project, by Miriam Adler
2. Selected Demographic Indicators, by Robert Martiniano
3. NORC Survey
4. NORC Survey Results
5. NORC Final Report

 

Conferences Pertaining to Healthy Aging

For conference details on healthy aging, choose from the following:

• 2010: Dr. Susan Wehry, Canary Courtship
• 2009: Dr. Robert Butler, The Longevity Revolution

Other Resources on Healthy Aging

Medication and Aging

1. National Association of Chain Drug Stores Foundation
   Helping chain pharmacists to empower and educate consumers.
2. Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA)
   The PhRMA website contains a link to prescription assistance programs, healthcare updates, medication disposal tips, and more.
3. SafeMedication
   This website focuses on medication safety in a consumer-friendly way. Medication alerts are available on this website as well as a medication record and more.
4. Medicine Safety; A Toolkit for Families
   Helps consumers of all ages have access to important information and educational resources to promote safe and appropriate medicine use.
5. ConsumerMedSafety.org
   Customized drug alerts, medicine safety news and a place to report medication safety errors.
6. Center for Medicines & Healthy Aging
   Education for older adults and caregivers about the safe and appropriate use of medicines in older adults. Also gives information on how to save money on prescription drugs.
7. The Joint Commission Safety Program
   Twelve Patient Safety pamphlets dealing with medication.
8. Institute for Safe Medication Practices
   Medication safety newsletter and many other pamphlets available.

General Resources on Aging

1. Alliance for Aging Research
   The Alliance for Aging Research is dedicated to supporting the pace of medical discoveries to vastly improve the universal human experience of aging and health.
2. Alzheimer’s Foundation of America
   Provides information regarding Alzheimer’s as well as information for caregivers and consumers.
3. Behavioral Health Care
   Provides info on today’s behavioral health issues for clinicians in the mental health and substance abuse fields.
4. Brookdale Center for Healthy Aging and Longevity
   Hunter College of the City University of New York brings information on aging and longevity and tools needed to succeed later in life. Training for the elderly includes money matters and emergency preparedness for those working in adult care facilities.
5. Everyday Health
   This site includes health topics from A to Z as well as drug info on 40 different drugs. Health Information, Symptom Checker, and health issues blogs are also provided on this web site.
6. Caregivers Newsletter
   A website for and about caregivers. Helpful topics related to healthy aging.
7. Geriatric Mental Health Alliance of New York
   Mental health information for health care professionals treating the aging population.
8. International Longevity Center
   This website is devoted to Healthy Aging, caregiving, ageism, financial management and blogs on Ageism in America.
9. National Council for Behavioral Health - for community behavioral healthcare. Resources and publications are available on this site as well as political information on behavioral health.
10. National Family Caregiver Support programs
    The Administration on Aging website has information AOA programs, news and information as well as info for elders and families.
11. National Institute on Aging
    Health information, research information, grants and training and news and events all offered on this website.
12. National Respite Coalition
    A place to find information on respite care in your local area.
13. New York State Coalition for the Aging, Inc.
    Information for caregivers as well as consumers on living independently in their homes for as long as possible.
14. New York State Department of Health
    Health topics available for all ages as well as info on state run prescription drug programs such as EPIC for Seniors.
15. New York State Office for the Aging
    NYSOFA plays a central role in advocating on behalf of older adults and their families, collaborating with organizations and agencies, facilitating and guiding policy development to improve the quality of life of older New Yorkers, and assuring the delivery of high-quality services to help older adults remain as independent as possible for as long as possible.
16. NIH Senior Health
    Provides info on many health topics, exercise info, health videos and training tools.
17. Medicare Rights Center
    Information on Medicare with a question and answer section. Discount pharmaceutical program information and news releases related to Medicare.
18. Hunger Solutions New York
    Resources for nutrition information as well as information on hunger in New York State. Food stamp info, emergency food programs including soup kitchen locations, etc. Also links to volunteer or donate.
19. Statewide Caregiving & Respite / Coalition of New York
    This website provides resources for caregivers and family members. Links to other websites with info on help provided also available here.

Newsletters

1. State Society on Aging of New York
   Upcoming educational programs, membership information and recent newsletter.
2. Today’s Caregiver
   Online digital magazine, newsletters, health topics, diet and nutrition tips, meal ideas and recipes, tips on getting someone to eat.