FINDLEY LAKE, N.Y. — The New York State Office for the Aging recently rolled out the red carpet for the premiere of a new documentary, "Aging in Community: A New York First Model," highlighting the state's Naturally Occuring Retirement Community, or NORC, program that includes Findley Lake in Chautauqua County.

It's a place retired nurse Mary Norcross has called home for almost 40 years, living on her husband's family farm.

“The comfort, and trust and reliability of our routines, yeah. Quiet country life but not too far from getting to Erie or Jamestown for the rest of it," said Norcross.


What You Need To Know

  • There are 43 NORC, or Naturally Occuring Retirement Community, state-funded programs

  • The only rural NORC can be found in Findley Lake in Chautauqua County

  • State leaders hope the program will expand in the future

Norcross was one of several community members on hand, together with the state and program lead agency Community Connections, to celebrate the NORC designation that funds a comprehensive system of social and health services that help older adults age at home.

Leaders say NORCs are not purposely intended for older adults, as age demographics can evolve to include younger residents who wish to age in that community over time.

"Kindness, care and dignity can change the lives of those most vulnerable. And I think we that also learned no one is truly alone in this community," said Dr. Lin Baylis, executive director of Community Connections.

State leaders say the program and the mission to help older adults stay independent for as long as possible could be a model across the rest of upstate and the nation.

"What makes it so special is that it's not us dictating to you what to do. It's providing the resources so that you guys can organize the way that best meets your needs," said Greg Olsen, the director of NYS Office for the Aging.

Norcross says the resources invite others of all ages to retire there.

"They find it and they stay. I try to tell everybody I know how fortunate we are," said Norcross.