[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 21126]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL ASSISTED LIVING WEEK

 Mr. WYDEN. Madam President, this year, National Assisted 
Living Week begins September 7 and continues through September 13. 
Since 1995, the National Center for Assisted Living has sponsored 
National Assisted Living Week to emphasize the importance of the 
options assisted living provides seniors and persons with disabilities.
  Assisted living is a long-term care alternative for seniors who need 
more assistance than is available in general retirement communities but 
do not require the heavy medical and nursing care provided by nursing 
homes.
  This year's theme for National Assisted Living Week is ``Sharing 
Life's Treasures'' which highlights the need for all of us, no matter 
what our age, to take time to appreciate the treasures we find along 
life's pathway.
  My State, Oregon, helped to pioneer the assisted-living concept 
because it could help promote security, dignity, and independence for 
seniors. While assisted living varies from State to State, it remains a 
consumer-oriented option for long-term care needs, and highlights the 
need to support options for long-term care as our population 
ages.

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