WASHINGTON, D.C. – Beginning today and continuing through Saturday, Sept. 16, America’s assisted living communities are participating in National Assisted Living Week® (NALW). The national observance – which begins each year on National Grandparents’ Day and is supported this year by official sponsor First Quality – honors the individuals who reside, work, and volunteer in assisted living and residential care communities with special activities and events.
Created by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) in 1995, this year’s NALW theme, “Season of Reflection,” encourages participants to pause and reflect on the important things in life, including the special bonds created within assisted living communities. Additionally, this theme offers a chance to embrace and welcome the sense of renewal that comes with the changing season.
“Caregivers and residents in assisted living communities are family, and this is a great opportunity to celebrate that unique connection,” said NCAL Executive Director LaShuan Bethea. “We dedicate this National Assisted Living Week to honoring the hundreds of thousands of caregivers in assisted living who have committed to continuously improving the lives of their residents and providing the love and care that is so important to everyone.”
The annual observance encourages assisted living communities around the country to offer a variety of events and activities to bring together residents, staff, and volunteers. Members of the public are encouraged to visit or volunteer at an assisted living community to learn more about this distinct aspect of long term care. Participants are asked to share their celebrations throughout the week on social media with the hashtag, #NALW.
Assisted Living Facts & Figures
- Approximately 818,800 individuals reside in 30,600 assisted living or residential care communities across the United States.
- The average assisted living community has 39 beds.
- Approximately 478,500 individuals work in assisted living.
- Half of assisted living residents are 85 years old or older.
- Typically, residents require assistance with only a few activities of daily living, including bathing (64 percent) and walking (50 percent).
- Approximately 42 percent of residents are living with some form of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and 18 percent of assisted living communities offer memory care units or wings. Approximately 11 percent exclusively serve adults living with dementia.
- Almost one in five (18 percent) assisted living residents relies on Medicaid for their daily care, and 61 percent of assisted living communities are Medicaid certified.
Please visit
www.nalw.org for more information on National Assisted Living Week.