Resources

Community Connections

There are organizations and initiatives in every neighborhood that serve seniors, or that have the potential to be part of a safety net for seniors. Making connections between them strengthens the safety net – and benefits the community as a whole. Click on the links below to find out how to locate the resources in your neighborhood:

       Senior Community Centers

        Philadelphia Town Watch

        Block Captains

Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities

A Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC) is a geographic area of either a high-rise, individual houses, or a combination of the two, that over time has become home to a large concentration of persons 60 years of age or older. A NORC Support Service Program (NORC SSP) is a community-based model that brings together housing or neighborhood organizations,  health and social service providers, residents, and other community resources to promote and support successful aging in place.

NORC SSPs may provide Information & Referral services; case management and social work services; health care management and prevention programs; educational and social activities; and volunteer opportunities for program participants.  NORC SSPs do not have annual membership fees. There may be nominal fees for some social programs. 

Blueprint for developing a Naturally Occurring Retirement Community (NORC)

NORCs: An Aging in Place Initiative

Administration on Aging Livable Communities

Philadelphia County currently has six NORC SSPs:

Rhawnhurst NORC
Phone:  215-320-0330 or 215-320-0351
Serves  zip codes 19111, 19149 and 19152.

The  West Oak Lane NORC Initiative
Phone: 215-924-4815
Serves zip codes 19126,19138, 19141, and 19150.

Services To Area Residents (STAR)
Phone:  267-256-2081
This NORC is a program of Jewish Family and Children’s Services, and is in four buildings in downtown Philadelphia: 2101 Cooperative; Kennedy House; Penn Center House; and William Penn House.

Villages

Villages are organizations created by residents to enable them to stay in their neighborhoods as they age. Membership may include concierge services (Information & Referral; vendor recommendations for repair and maintenance projects; assistance with household tasks; meals and grocery shopping); discounts; transportation; health and wellness programs; and social and cultural opportunities.

Villages determine their own geographic service area and ages of residents.  Annual membership fees are charged per person or per household. Villages may offer reduced membership rates to residents unable to pay the full fee. Professional staff and volunteers provide services in the Village.

There are approximately 76 Villages in operation or development across the country. The average Village membership fee nation-wide is currently $600 per person.

Penn's Village (Philadelphia)

Penn’s Village is the only operating village in Philadelphia. It serves Center City, from Vine Street to Washington Street, and from the Schuylkill River to the Delaware River. Penn’s Village will make exceptions and serve outside this area.

Beacon Hill Village

Capitol Hill Village

Creating Aging-Friendly Communities in Wisconsin

Village to Village Network

Other models:

My Way is a not-for-profit venture of Ralston Center serving any adult 55 and older living in Mt. Airy and Chestnut Hill.   My Way provides a wide range of services for a fee but with no minimum hours. Local resources are pre-screened by the organization. My Way became a licensed home care agency in 2011.

The Enterprise Center Community Development Corporation’s Walnut Hill Time Bank is an effort to provide services to older residents and increase intergenerational connections. The Enterprise Center uses  the model from Time Banks USA . Time Bank members babysit, run errands, make home repairs, hold tutoring classes for other members and receive one "Time Dollar" for every hour of service they provide. The members can then use their “Time Dollars” to purchase services from other members.

Information

The PCA Helpline can provide information and referral for a wide range of services, programs and resources for people age 60 and over, or those age 18 and up who have disabilities.

Call Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • English and Spanish (main number) - 215-765-9040
  • Chinese - 215-399-4944
  • Cambodian - 215-399-4940
  • Hindi (Asian Indian) - 215-399-4943
  • Korean - 215-399-4941
  • Vietnamese - 215-399-4942
  • TDD (for hearing impaired) - 215-765-9041