[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 12]
[Senate]
[Pages 16318-16319]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL ASSISTED LIVING WEEK

 Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, I want to draw the Senate's 
attention to National Assisted Living Week, which begins September 8 
and continues through September 14. Since 1995, the National Center for 
Assisted Living has sponsored National Assisted Living Week to 
emphasize the importance of this service that nearly 1 million seniors 
rely on for long-term care.
  Assisted living offers hope to seniors who can no longer live 
independently at home but do not need the level of care provided by 
nursing facilities. In assisted living facilities, seniors find 
dedicated caregivers to provide assistance in the activities of daily 
living in a setting that truly becomes a home. It

[[Page 16319]]

is predicted that the demand for assisted living will continue to grow 
as more and more seniors and their families seek out home-like 
independent living with the benefits of 24-hour supervision.
  The theme of this year's National Assisted Living Week is ``Honoring 
the Spirit of Our Nation,'' which is intended to honor the Nation's 
rekindled interest in our heritage and values. It is an appropriate 
theme because it celebrates the residents' lifetime of memories, 
devotions, and patriotism and the dedication and service of assisted 
living caregivers. The theme for National Assisted Living Week will 
highlight the variety of ways assisted living meets the different needs 
of seniors in our Nation.
  I am proud that Oregon has led our Nation in the concept of assisted 
living. Assisted living has developed differently in each State and its 
importance in meeting the needs of seniors continues. I believe 
offering these choices for seniors is important in order to provide 
them with security, dignity, and independence. It is also 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 
they need and deserve.

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