‘Natural’ Retirement Communities: An Idea That Works

Understand how theories try to explain children’s development is somehow challenging in our childcare courses. Some retirement communities are planned, others just happen. The latter are sometimes referred to by urban planners as NORCs – “naturally occurring retirement communities.” They’ve emerged as an attractive way for seniors to age successfully in their homes by tapping into community support services and volunteer programs.

It is estimated that there are thousands of these naturally occurring retirement communities across the United States, and that approximately 27 percent of our senior citizens live in them. So what are NORCs?

AGING IN PLACE

These are communities or neighborhoods where residents have lived and aged together long enough for a naturally occurring retirement community to evolve. Residents have either aged in place by living in their homes for several decades, or older adults have migrated into the same community where they intend to spend the rest of their lives.

NORC is a demographic term used to describe a community not originally designed for seniors, but one that has grown naturally to have 40 to 65% of its residents over age 60. These communities were originally built for young adults and were never intended to meet the particular health and social service needs of seniors.

The term NORC was first coined in the 1980’s by Michael Hunt, a professor of urban planning. NORCs were originally identified in urban settings, but are now found in all geographic locations. They are usually small by design and span a few square miles with a base of 1000 to 3000 people. They can be as small as a city apartment building or as large as a suburban neighborhood with single family homes.

NORCs can be categorized into three types:

  • Classic NORC: This is a single age-integrated apartment building, a housing complex with multiple buildings under common management or a number of apartment buildings clustered together.
  • Neighborhood-Based NORC: This is an age-integrated neighborhood of one- and two-family homes.
  • Rural NORC: This is a large geographic area with a low population density, typically comprised of one-and two-family homes.

DESIGNING & IMPLEMENTING A NORC PROGRAM

NORCs are privately developed and managed, and relatively new, so there is no centralized listing of programs. The best place to find information on NORCs is online. Listed below are a few good sources to help in determining if there’s an existing model that suits your community:

  • The United Hospital Fund at www.norcblueprint.org
  • www.norcs.org
  • Aging Agencies in many states have information on NORCs

Each NORC is different and focuses on local needs and individual communities. Funding, staffing and services should reflect a specific community and the staff may consist of full-time and part-time employees and numerous volunteers. NORCs may be largely supported by member dues of $500 or more per year or seniors may pay little or nothing, with the bulk of the support coming from local foundations, charity-supported agencies and government funds. The key requirement is a healthy mix of private and public funds.

Seniors should play a central role in the development of the NORC program. They are clients with diverse needs and interests, and residents with a rich network of relationships, knowledge and expertise. Effective programs will enable seniors to take on new roles in their communities as leaders and project developers. There is the evolving realization by large numbers of seniors that their participation is required in the building of their later lives. Retirement can extend 25 to 30 years and without a community support system, seniors run the risk of health challenges and isolation.

NATURALLY OCCURRING RETIREMENT COMMUNITY SUPPORTIVE SERVICES PROGRAM

Some organizations and local governments have brought together social services, health care, transportation and residents to develop a NORC supportive services program (NORC-SSP). This program receives funding from private sector contributions; charitable donations; resident membership or activity fees; and federal, state, and local grant funding. NORC-SSPs directly service seniors in the Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities and may provide:

  • Social work case management
  • Transportation
  • Mental health services
  • Social and cultural events
  • Home care
  • Bereavement support
  • Meals
  • Home repair and maintenance
  • Exercise classes
  • Continuing Education programs

NEIGHBORHOOD VILLAGES

There is another type of community that has evolved and may be confused as a NORC; but based on the concentrated percentage of seniors required to be called a NORC, these communities are called neighborhood villages instead. These communities are grassroots movements providing services and programs for their aging population. Some villages provide services and programs for members only who pay annual membership fees, while others charge nothing for services. Some set a minimum age for membership. All rely heavily on neighborhood volunteers. Services provided may be:

  • Transportation
  • Social and educational programs
  • Friendly visits or phone calls
  • Assistance with household repairs and maintenance

Neighborhood villages face constant challenges with funding, and some charge annual membership fees. Others seek funding from other sources. The first neighborhood village was organized in Boston, Massachusetts in 2001 and is called the Beacon Hill Village.

AN ALTERNATIVE IDEA

Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities are the new alternative for aging in place in the neighborhood where you raised your family and made lifelong friends. Options for organizing this type of community may seem overwhelming and complex, but the underlying principle is simplicity: neighbors caring for neighbors in a close-knit community.

Carolyn Cook is a healthcare designer of twenty five years who has taken her expertise into the private home helping people live safely and independently in their homes for as long as they choose. Carolyn is now the Owner of LiveSmart Design–an interior design firm specializing in the residential design of kitchens and bathrooms utilizing the principles of Universal Design, sustainability and healthcare. As an advocate of affordable Senior Housing, a proponent for Universal Design and a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist, Carolyn frequently presents to local community groups, industry professionals and senior organizations on the topic of Universal Design, Visit-ability and aging-in-place. She is active in the Davidson Committee on Aging, the Falls Prevention Coalition, the National Kitchen and Bath Association and the US Green Building Council. Carolyn can be reached at http://www.livesmartdesign.com.

Article Source: https://EzineArticles.com/expert/Carolyn_J_Cook/1481942

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Childcare Training – How To Select The Right Preschool

It is important that we should send our children into an excellent childcare training venue such as preschools to prepare them in their upcoming kindergarten years because most of the instructors are certified in child care courses Sydney. It’s not that hard to find a preschool in your area, but it’s totally difficult to find a preschool that has the standards of a great one. You will learn the ways of what a preschool should have after reading this article.

Lots Of Activities

Activities are good ways of making the child learn new things. This is why it is very necessary that the preschool must provide a lot of activities in order to enhance the level of knowledge of the children.

Kids Can Play

Preschool is just for fun and development, thus the reason why the children should enjoy being in preschool and just play around with other kids. This is why it’s a must that the childcare training center that in this level is a preschool should have a safe indoor and outdoor playground.

Read Them Books

The teachers should read some books that can excite and entertain the children. Make the kids participate on it as well, such as in the story Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in which other kids should play or act as the dwarfs while another kid plays as Snow White. In this way, the teacher will be more effective in providing the kids new learning as the children will stay focused to the story until it’s done.

The Classroom’s Environment

The ambience or how the classroom looks like is also important in a preschool set up. We all know that children loves to see a room with colorful things, that’s why it would be better if the childcare training facility is painted will heavenly bodies such as stars and planets, or other things like clouds, trees, fishes, animals and so on. This will increase the child’s level of interest to attend every session.

Ask The Child About The Childcare Training Facility

The best way to know if the child is learning, comfortable as well as love the preschool area is to know his or her opinion about it. Every child is honest about what they feel, that’s why if your child tells you that he or she loves the place, and then fill up the admission form. However, if later on your kid tells you that he or she doesn’t want to attend anymore, then listen to your child and find your kid a much more comfortable preschool.

Things to Avoid in Melbourne Pilates Classes

Traditional Chinese medicine Northern Beaches always ensures painless procedure in their patients. If you’re thinking about Pilates in Melbourne, you’re likely to be aware of the amazing benefits offered with this type of class. However, if you’re new to Pilates, you may not be aware that there are some things you should avoid during your Melbourne class.

Wearing the Wrong Thing

Remember pilates is a workout done on costly upholstered material in a variety of positions. This means that there are a few potential clothing issues that can arise.

Firstly, you should avoid any ornamentation on your pilates clothing. Buckles, belts, zips and other metal detailing can not only be uncomfortable when you lie on them, but they can cause costly damage to the equipment. Try to keep your clothing simple and streamlined.

You should also be aware of your clothing fit. Remember that pilates is often co-ed, so you need to feel comfortable and confident. While shorts are fine, if they are loose you may end up flashing when you’re in an overhead position. Generally, loose fitting clothing doesn’t work well in Pilates. In fact, it can actually end up revealing more than a more snug fitting outfit. So, consider your clothing choices carefully, or you could put too much of yourself on display.

Zoning Out

Focus is a crucial Pilates principle, so while it is tempting to sprawl out on a Reformer and take a quick nap, this is not the point of the class. Zoning out when your instructor is providing details for the execution of poses and safety advice will actually put you at risk of an injury.

Being Phone Distracted

Most of are aware that our phones rule our lives, but a Pilates studio is one place where your phone doesn’t belong. Checking your phone not only pulls your focus, but it interrupts the flow of the class and is a massive irritant to instructors. Your phone should be left in your bag or locker, so you can keep your full attention on the class.

Moving Too Fast

Pilates movements are tempo dependent, with each exercise having a specific cadence. Look to your instructor for the rhythm of every exercise, and you may find it is actually slower than you thought. Rushing through moves will increase your risk of injury as you move too quickly through setup and transition, so keep your movements smooth and careful.

Making Weird Noises

While some of us do tend to make noises when exerting ourselves, to maintain focus, try to avoid making noises such as gasping, grunting or weird breathing sounds. This is distracting to the group and could mask directions from the instructor. By keeping your noises under control, you may find you feel more attentive to the class.

Making Assumptions

You know the old saying about assumptions, and this applies in Pilates classes. Instructors know to adjust their class to the students in the room. Each student affects the content of the class, with tempos, sequences, modifications and more being carefully taught towards the needs of the group. Although it can be easy to assume that your favourite move should be fitted into the transition, follow the class choreography and rely on your instructor’s expertise instead.

If you’re considering Pilates in Melbourne, you should speak to us. As an established studio in Melbourne, Pilates, yoga and other fitness classes are available to suit all skill levels, and you’ll find our team ready to help.