Getting older, staying home

NORCs — naturally occurring retirement communities — allow older adults an alternative to seniors’ housing

You may not realize it, but you probably have a NORC in your neighbourhood.

That’s what Mary Lou Kelley says.

Even after spending years as an academic in the field of aging, Kelley, professor emeritus of Lakehead University’s School of Social Work who holds a PhD in the field, only recently learned about naturally occurring retirement communities. They’re called NORCS, says Kelley, “and they are flourishing.”

The term NORC was coined in New York City and is any community, neighbourhood or apartment building where a high percentage of the population — definitions vary from 30 to 60 percent — is aged 65-plus. The community is naturally occurring as opposed to designated seniors’ housing.

“It’s a pretty straightforward concept,” says Kelley. “And since most seniors and older adults want to age in place, why not support them where they are already living? It just makes sense.”  

At River Terraces 1 and 2, two adjoining condos located in Greystone Village, Old Ottawa East, Kelley and her like-minded neighbours are slowly growing a NORC program. “We help out each other here,” says Kelley’s neighbour, Penny Izzard, who lives with her husband, Ron Fournier. “It’s different from when we grew up with our children. Families are so scattered now. But you still need that sense of community, so our friends here kind of become like family.”

“Our adult children living in Ottawa are very busy with their own lives,” says Greystone Village resident John Cosgrove, “with work, children and day-to-day activities. We want to make our own lives as well as being part of their lives.”

Another member of the River Terraces community, Cecile Latour chose the location because of the proximity to nature and walking and biking trails. “Being health-conscious is one of the things we have in common with many of the people living here,” says Latour.

Although there are many older adults living there, there’s also a mix of all ages, which Latour says open dialogues to discover diverse needs in the community. “It’s kind of an organic growth that [Kelley] has encouraged,” she says. The mixed demographic at Greystone includes families with children and working couples. There are plenty of opportunities to engage with all ages.

“We’re willing to learn from each other,” says Ron Fournier, “and to listen. The activities are open to everyone. One recent yoga class had lots of people of different ages.”

Kelley says that planning for the support and services residents will need to live at home in River Terraces for the rest of their lives is still in the beginning stages and expects that many things will evolve.

“Things will change and grow and we’ll have to add services as needed,” says Kelley, “but right now we’ll focus on our own well-being, knowing we’ll be making our own decisions and we’ll be the architects of our future needs.”

For Sue Garvey, founding member of the Ambleside OASIS project — OASIS is the NORC’s social services program — the most important aspect of getting a NORC program going is a devoted core of people who want to create a community of support.

“Whether it’s an apartment building or an entire neighbourhood, it’s the willingness of that core group to do the work that’s essential,” says Garvey.

OASIS programs focus on three pillars: breaking social isolation, physical fitness, and food sharing programs. OASIS ensures community support and offers a greater sense of safety, the ability to identify problems when they arise and most importantly, reduced isolation. A paid, on-site coordinator at Ambleside OASIS plans activities and programs — “anything from fitness or yoga classes to pickle ball,” says Garvey — for the residents.

The OASIS program started in a rental project in Kingston and is led by two researchers at Queen’s University’s School of Rehabilitation and Therapy. There are studies at Queen’s that research ‘aging at home’ to show how staying in one’s own home means better health and well-being.

There are several OASIS projects in the country, and each has a community partner agency. Ottawa’s is The Olde Forge, which partnered with the residents’ representatives and the Ottawa Council on Aging.

Having a paid coordinator isn’t necessary to get a NORC started. Garvey reiterates that “the most important ingredient to have in place is that core of dedicated individuals. But important as well is a willing community agency partner, a common space for people to be able to participate in programs and a landlord or condo board who are supportive of an aging in place program.”

Some of the best advice on getting a NORC going is from seniors and older adults already participating in one. “I know people are keen to share their knowledge and advice,” says Garvey, “and with our growing older population, creating a NORC really benefits everyone.”

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coaottawa.ca/2022/10/26/ottawa-norc-finder-where-older-adults-65-are-living-in-ottawa-2/

compassionateottawa.ca

carp.ca/advocacy-priorities/

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