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The NORC (Naturally Occurring Retirement Community)

senior woman has a burglar alarm fitted and is getting tuition

A Naturally Occurring Retirement Community is a geographic area where a large population of older adults live independently.

A NORC is not a planned community, rather a population that has aged in the same area over the years and is now facing a variety of challenges including access to transportation, maintaining minor home repairs, and staying connected in their community.

The NORC @ JFCS is a fee-based membership program for individuals 60 and over within the Northeast Philadelphia zip codes of 19111, 19114, 19115, 19116, 19149, and 19152. More than 65,000 of Philadelphia’s older adults live in this area. The NORC helps members live safely and sustainably in their own homes with supportive services and interventions.

The NORC member services include:

  • Assessment: evaluate member needs so they can remain independent and safe in their homes.
  • Care management: provide ongoing assistance to members, ensuring that necessary services and resources are in place.
  • Transportation: provide members with door-to-door transportation for medical appointments and other necessary excursions.
  • Home repair: provide members with minor home repairs and assess larger repair needs by connecting clients to resources in their communities.
  • Volunteer opportunities: connect members with volunteer opportunities offered by JFCS.
  • Socialization: faciliate opportunities for members to connect while decreasing isolation, including art and music classes, engaging speakers, and a variety of other activities and workshops. Door-to-door transportation is provided.
  • Uniper: keep older adults connected and active with this free, easy-to-use platform on their TV, computer, or tablet, that allows individuals to attend a schedule of interactive classes, watch recorded videos, and video chat with loved ones.

The annual fee to join The NORC @ JFCS is $50 per individual or $80 per household of two or more people. To become a member, contact Liliana Barbour, NORC Care Manager, at 215.320.0351 ext. 1 or lbarbour@jfcsphilly.org.

Our Staff

Carly Bruski, LMSW, Program Officer, Holocaust Survivor Support & Older Adults

Brenda Edelman, LCSW, Director, Older Adults

Liliana Barbour, MPH, NORC Care Manager

Naadiya Muhammad, NORC Transportation & Volunteer Manager

Michael Priole, NORC Home Repairs Coordinator

To contact us about The NORC, CLICK HERE