In 2003, I secured $450,000 for the Commission on Jewish Eldercare Services that will assist them in providing services to seniors living in area naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs). 

NORCs refer to residential housing constructs, such as rental apartments, cooperatives, or condominiums, or defined residential neighborhoods or clusters of homes, where large concentrations of people have aged in place.

This funding can be used for social work, case management, personal care and other in-home supports, transportation, home-delivered meals, health monitoring, socialization programs and more.

According to AARP, one-third, or more than 10 million seniors, live in what can be defined as a NORC setting. 

I believe that this method of health and social services provision results in positive health and social outcomes and has enabled seniors to remain living independently longer.  And there is a larger goal here as well.

By providing this request, Congress is supporting the further development of an innovative living model for seniors that enables them to remain living at home for as long as safely feasible, which is in keeping with the wishes of the vast majority of seniors and promotes their physical and mental well being. 

As the senior population more than doubles to 80 million by 2030, Congress will have to responsibly address the high and growing costs, associated with healthcare and social service delivery to seniors, that fall upon individuals and their families, and federal and state governments.

Supporting community-based alternatives to high-cost institutional care (currently averaging $50,000 per resident per year), is paramount to addressing the needs of the frail elderly and the long term financial effect that the burgeoning senior population will place on our national health and social service systems.