Building a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC)

The Isabella Geriatric Center has been at the forefront of caring for the elderly in its surrounding neighborhood since 1875. Recently, Isabella identified an opportunity to assist elderly individuals in their own homes by participating as a provider in a government-funded Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) program, where elderly-appropriate services are made more accessible to building residents. Isabella identified a residential building that might meet the NORC criteria, and asked the Capstone team to work with building management, leadership and residents to assess whether the building could satisfy the NORC eligibility criteria. The Capstone team also assessed the medical and social needs of the residents, required to improve their quality of life.