[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 15]
[Senate]
[Page 19892]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL ASSISTED LIVING WEEK

  Mr. WYDEN. Mr. President, today I want to draw attention to the 11th 
annual National Assisted Living Week, which begins on September 11 and 
continues through September 17. Created in 1995 by the National Center 
for Assisted Living, and being celebrated for the second time in 
conjunction with the American Association of Homes and Services for the 
Aging and Assisted Living Federation of America, National Assisted 
Living Week emphasizes the importance of assisted living services to 
the more than 1 million seniors and persons with disabilities who rely 
on them every day.
  The theme for this week is ``A Fair to Remember.'' The theme 
encourages assisted living facilities to create their own ``Fair'' 
environment for the residents, families, staff, volunteers and local 
community and to celebrate their time together and share the fun with 
family and friends.
  Assisted living continues to grow in importance as our society's 
demographics change and as we live longer. Seniors and their families 
want a homelike setting and are seeking alternatives to nursing homes. 
Because assisted living has been able to develop to meet community 
needs, it can be very different in different States. However, the goal 
is the same: to provide quality care for those who need some help in 
caring for themselves but are not in need of the care provided by a 
nursing home.
  My home State of Oregon pioneered the concept of assisted living, and 
I am proud of my State's ability to continue to evolve the concept so 
that it meets the changing needs of seniors. All of us want to be in a 
safe environment and as independent as possible for as long as 
possible. Assisted living provides care while maintaining the dignity 
of the individuals they serve. Our Nation must continue to support 
those long-term care options that allow consumers the care setting that 
is appropriate for their needs.

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