[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 146 (2000), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 17553]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


[[Page 17553]]

                     NATIONAL ASSISTED LIVING WEEK

 Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, I wish today to draw the Senate's 
attention


to National Assisted Living Week. The National Center for Assisted 
Living is sponsoring National Assisted Living Week this week to 
highlight the significance and the hope that this type of service can 
provide seniors.
  Assisted living is a long term care alternative for seniors who need 
more assistance than is available in retirement communities, but do not 
require the heavy medical and nursing care provided by nursing 
facilities. Approximately one million of our nation's seniors have 
chosen the option of assisted living in this country. This demonstrates 
a tremendous desire by seniors and their families to have the kind of 
assistance that they need in bathing, taking medications or other 
activities of daily living in a setting that truly becomes their home.
  This year's theme of National Assisted Living Week is ``The Art of 
Life'' and it is intended as recognition of the value of creative 
expression. I think that it is appropriate because it shows that 
assisted living is a real option for seniors to continue experiencing 
``the art of life'' in living arrangements tailored to meet their needs 
for socialization, independence and services.
  Oregon has led our nation in the concept of assisted living. My state 
spends more state health dollars to provide assisted living services 
than any other in our nation. Assisted living has taken different 
directions in different states, and I believe offering these choices 
for consumers is important to provide security, dignity and 
independence for seniors.
  Assisted living will become even more important as an option of 
seniors and their families as our nation experiences the demographic 
tsunami of aging baby boomers. It is important for us to continue to 
support options that allow seniors and their families a choice of 
settings in order to assure that they get the level of care that they 
need.

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