[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Page 16663]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                     NATIONAL ASSISTED LIVING WEEK

 Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I 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 of this service and the hope that it 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 ``Sharing the 
Wisdom of Generations,'' and it is intended to recognize the value of 
sharing insights and experiences between assisted living residents, 
their families, volunteers and assisted living staff. I think that it 
is appropriate because it highlights the variety of options assisted 
living can provide to meet different needs of patients.
  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 for 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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