Aging in Place

The United Hospital Fund's Aging in Place Initiative was established in 1999 to foster the development of new models of care supporting the health and well-being of older people living in the community.

These models bring together health care and community resources to address the needs of residents of naturally occurring retirement communities, or NORCs—housing developments, neighborhoods, or geographic areas built or established for multi-age populations but becoming home, over time, to large concentrations of seniors.

The Aging in Place Initiative conducts community, program, and policy analyses; fosters partnerships of health care, social service, and housing organizations; and facilitates the development of innovative model programs to support the expansion and improvement of New York City's NORC Program efforts. While New York is the focus of this work, its impact and relevance are national.

The initiative currently comprises two programs:

The NORC Blueprint Project.  Launched in 2008, the NORC  Blueprint website supports NORC program planners, managers, funders, and policymakers by defining guiding principles, identifying elements of successful programs, and providing tools for program development, management, and sustainability. The site continues to grow through updates and other expansions.

The Health Indicators in NORC Programs Initiative.  This initiative helps NORC programs improve the health of older adults in their communities by addressing three common health issues: heart disease, diabetes, and falls. Data collection, targeted interventions, and the development of best practices are all part of the Health Indicators initiative.

Contact: Fredda Vladeck