WASHINGTON, D.C. – Beginning today and continuing through Saturday, Sept. 14, 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 Select Rehabilitation – 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, “Inspiring Generations,” offers individuals the chance to reflect on how assisted living has evolved and grown, inspired by the residents and those who care for them. This week also offers the perfect opportunity to listen and learn from each other, share stories and wisdom, and find inspiration from others.
“National Assisted Living Week is dedicated to the hundreds of thousands of caregivers in assisted living who have committed to continuously improving the lives of their residents,” said NCAL Executive Director LaShuan Bethea. “They deserve to be recognized because they are the ones providing the love and care that is so important every single day. I am excited to see all the fun and unique events this week in communities across the country that celebrate both them and all inspiring generations within assisted living.”
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.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Services, National Center for Health Statistics and the
Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Additional facts and figures about assisted living can be found on the
NCAL website. Please visit
www.nalw.org for more information on National Assisted Living Week.