St. Louis NORC members enter nursing homes at less than half the rate of the national average
The St. Louis Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) is commemorating its 10th anniversary in 2014, and two big events are planned to celebrate a decade of supporting the healthy aging of adults aged 65 and older remain in their homes.
A non-sectarian membership-based program of Jewish Federation of St. Louis, the St. Louis NORC operates within a 3-mile service neighborhood in the Creve Coeur area. The St. Louis NORC offers a range of support services that are designed to maximize the health and well-being of resident seniors so they can maintain their independence and comfortably remain in their homes as they age. Services include home repair, social activities, volunteer support and discounts at local merchants. The program charges modest dues, getting most of its funding from the State of Missouri, grants, generous contributions, and relying on volunteers.
“The NORC offers a way for older adults, especially those without family support, to avoid unnecessary institutional care,” says Karen Berry-Elbert, St. Louis NORC Manager. She says volunteers do everything from fixing leaky faucets, changing smoke detector batteries, light bulbs, furnace filters, to teaching computer skills and raking leaves for St. Louis NORC residents. “Providing these services often means the difference between a senior staying at home and going into a nursing home.” In addition to the volunteers, another invaluable support service is working with the Washington University Clinical Practice Occupational Therapists who assess members’ homes to ensure they are safe environments. A professional contractor will install grab bars in the bathrooms when needed in order to reduce the risk of falls. There is a variety of safety equipment that St. Louis NORC members can benefit from to improve safety.
In fact, in 2013, less than one percent of St. Louis NORC constituents moved to nursing homes. “That’s a remarkable statistic,” says Berry-Elbert. Just two percent of St. Louis NORC constituents moved to nursing homes from 2004 through 2013, a number that is half the state average of four percent and less than half the national average, which is greater than four percent.
Keeping seniors out of nursing homes means a savings to taxpayers. In 2013, the cost of supporting one St. Louis NORC member in their home was $420 a year compared with the Missouri average cost $145 a day or $52,830 a year for a semi-private nursing home bed. Full-time home healthcare can cost up as much as $100,000 a year. “We are potentially saving the state more than $52,000 a year for every older adult we help keep in her own home,” Berry-Elbert says.
Beyond the bottom line are the health benefits to St. Louis NORC members. St. Louis NORC’s 1400+ activities include a partnership with the Jewish Community Center (JCC), a walking program in partnership with AARP, day trips and social activities for members. While services are provided only for residents in the three-mile neighborhood, activities are open to all adults aged 65 and over. Since 2004, at least 1,714 individuals have participated in at least one activity or service.
Margie Cheung, a 72-year-old St. Louis NORC member takes advantage of the discount at the JCC and the member outings that give her a chance to socialize. “A good part of your health is your social life,” says Cheung. “Without the NORC outings, we could sit here and watch TV all the time. NORC helps us keep our bodies and our minds moving.”
Ninety-five-year-old Sam Kauffman agrees. “If it wasn’t for the NORC programs and the free cab service, I wouldn’t get out of the house,” he says. He also appreciates the work St. Louis NORC volunteers have done around the house. “They are good and talented people,” Kauffman says. “They have done things as I needed them—installing a garbage disposal, raking leaves in my yard, fixing a leak under my sink, getting my sliding doors back on track. It takes a big load off of you. Physically, I couldn’t go out and rake the leaves; if I bent down, I couldn’t get up. And since my only income is my Social Security benefits, I can’t afford to pay for these services. I appreciate everything the NORC volunteers do.”
St. Louis NORC gives some members, like 76-year-old Sherrell Pflueger, another benefit: the chance to give back as a volunteer. “I drive those who can no longer drive to appointments, and I host a program where we watch and discuss an educational video,” Pflueger says. “Volunteering in this way is an opportunity I would not have otherwise, and it makes me feel good to help people.”
Pflueger is one of many residents who avoid moving because she doesn’t want to leave the St. Louis NORC three-mile service area. “I have a son who is handicapped and lives in St. Charles in a group home,” she says. “It would be handy for me to move closer to him, but I don’t want to leave NORC. I’m really sold on it!”
The residents will help celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the St. Louis NORC with two major events. The “Total You Wellness Day” will take place Wednesday, May 14 from 10 am to 2 pm at the JCC Banquet Center. The day features demonstrations, health screenings, chair massage and other health-centered activities. Then on Thursday, August 7 at 6:30 pm, St. Louis NORC will hold an anniversary party with live music, an award ceremony, video presentation, refreshments and more.
For more information on the anniversary events or the St. Louis NORC, go to STLNORC.org.