The Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) Initiative in Georgia: Developing and Managing Collaborative Partnerships to Support Older Adults

Abstract

In response to a rapidly expanding senior population, diminishing public and private resources, and the rising costs of long-term care, collaborative partnerships are essential for community-based services for older adults. Naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) have emerged as a collaborative model of care designed to support older adults so they can remain in their homes as long as possible and avoid moving to more restrictive settings. This article will examine NORC model replication and discuss the lessons learned from developing strategic partnerships, participant recruitment, program and partnership management, and evaluation. This study will contribute to the growing literature on the NORC model in diverse settings.

Keywords:

• naturally occurring retirement communities
• collaborative partnerships
• administration and management
• older adults