In 2004, JF&CS was awarded a grant from the U.S. Administration on Aging to bring services to areas with high concentrations of elderly residents. These Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) help their residents remain independent by building a self-sufficient community. JF&CS chose three sites to pilot this program: Brookline, Malden and Swampscott (the Swampscott project is managed by JFS of North Shore). As of 2006, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts has funded the Brookline and Malden programs, as well as a new program in Framingham managed by JFS of Metrowest.

The services and programming are designed to meet the needs articulated by the seniors who live in each specific community. All activities address primary causes of preventable institutionalization, including isolation and depression, poor management of chronic conditions, inadequate nutrition, falls and misuse of medications. Each participating senior receives an individually-tailored mix of services, which may include:

• care planning and case management
• medical and rehabilitative services
• nutrition and/or fitness instruction
• mental-health counseling
• personal care
• social activities such as celebrations, events, trips and classes

Aging Well at Home has proved to be a great success. Thanks to the program's efforts, there are strong and supportive resident communities at each site with increasing participation in social, educational, wellness, and cross-cultural programming. In addition, JF&CS has partnered with Brandeis University to pilot an innovative web-based tool, the Senior Planning Project, to help elders, their families and their caregivers to communicate and share important information.

For more information, call 781-647-JFCS (5327) or email your questions via our contact us page.