St. Louis gets $1.26 million in grants
Verbatim from: St. Louis Jewish Light newspaper; week of August 7, 2002

Jewish Federation, W. U. join to coordinate, research pilot project on aging in place

Linda Matz Mantle - Executive Editor

"Sarah," a petite, spry woman of 82, has more energy than some 20-year-olds. She attends Conservative synagogue regularly and among many activities volunteers for Meals on Wheels, delivering nutritional supplements to "old people." Sarah is a widow who lives in Creve Coeur, in her own home with no intention of "retiring" to any form of senior living complex.

"Florence" lost her husband 15 years ago and subsequently moved into Covenant House/CHAI Apartments, a subsidized housing unit for senior adults on the Millstone Jewish Community Campus. At 77, she is slowed by a few physical ailments, but keeps a weekly schedule that includes a hair appointment, mah jong, cooking and family.

Both women stand to benefit from a pilot program that will help seniors live independently as they age for as long as they are able.

Known as Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORC), the project is the result of an initiative by Jewish Federations to address the needs of an aging Jewish community within the general aging population. The St. Louis Jewish Federation is one of five nationwide committed to the project, which just received $3.7 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A coordinated effort by state and congressional leaders working with Jewish community liaisons helped St. Louis obtain the largest slice with a grant of $1.26 million. That money is earmarked for research on seniors' needs as they age and developing a network of community-based programs that will support independent living.

"This is a cutting-edge idea to provide services to seniors who want to remain in their homes and forestall expensive long-term care solutions," said Barry Rosenberg, executive vice president of the St. Louis Jewish Federation.

The Jewish Federation will coordinate the project working in conjunction with the Washington University Center for Aging. The idea is to develop a network of supportive services directed to a neighborhood where there is a high concentration of elderly, according to Rosenberg.

"Look around St. Louis and you'll find cluster of 'naturally occurring' retirement communities where residents hope to live out their lives--unless they are forced to seek long-term care," said Sen. Jean Carnahan (D.MO) who helped push for the $1.26 million for the St. Louis NORC.

"It's clear that NORCs tend to be where people would prefer to stay if they would like to," said John C. Morris, M.D., who heads the Washington University Center for Aging. As the population grows older, more people find themselves in their retirement years living in residences where they found jobs and raised their families, said Morris. "It's an increasing situation with people living longer," Morris said.

The NORC grant will fund research to determine the kinds of support the aging need to continue to live in their own homes. Creve Coeur, an example of a "naturally occurring retirement community" with more than 1,500 residents over 65, is the site of the St. Louis NORC.

As St. Louis NORC coordinator, the Jewish Federation has an efficient system of social service agencies and programs in place and is in the position of providing the necessary services to NORC residents.

"St. Louis is a perfect place for this study because of the Jewish Federation's resources, capabilities and centrality in service delivery and planning," said Rosenberg.

Senior meals, physical activities, counseling, support groups, transportation and other such services currently available to the community will be used to deliver services to NORC residents.

Morris said he is pleased to partner with the Federation on the research end, which involves recruiting residents in the NORC area to determine which services they use and what they may need in the future.

"The Center for Aging exists to explore strategies that enable older adults to live longer, more productive lives," said Morris. "This grant will enable us to find what it is people need to live longer and healthier in their own homes and how best and most efficiently those services can be delivered."

The funding period is 17 months, which Morris said should yield a clearer idea of the types of services needed and was to deliver them.

Jewish Federation Government Relations chair Lynn Lyss spearheaded the advocacy initiative for St. Louis. "It's rare you see the fruits of your advocacy in such a tangible way and how our community is going to benefit from this," Lyss said.