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National Assisted Living Week Nourishes Mind, Body, and Spirit
HARRISBURG —Beginning Sunday, Sept. 13 and continuing through Saturday, Sept. 19, thousands of America’s assisted living communities and personal care homes and their staff, residents, families, volunteers and local members of their community will celebrate National Assisted Living Week® (NALW). The national observance – which begins each year on Grandparent’s Day – honors the individuals served as well as the individuals who serve in assisted living residences and personal care homes across the nation with special activities and events.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of NALW. The NALW theme this year is “Nourishing Life: Mind, Body, and Spirit,” which recognizes the countless ways assisted living and personal care home caregivers nurture the whole resident. Conversely, residents – with the support of loved ones – nourish the lives of team members and volunteers by sharing their unique lives.
“I’m inspired by the amazing work provided every day in assisted living residences and personal care homes across Pennsylvania,” said Russ McDaid, President and COO of the Center for Assisted Living Management (CALM). “Assisted living residences and personal care homes are both critical pieces of Pennsylvania’s system of long-term services and supports, meeting the needs of those who desire or need round the clock services, but not yet at the level of care provided in Pennsylvania’s nursing homes.”
“Tens of thousands of caregivers deliver high-quality, person-centered care to their residents daily,” Mr. McDaid added. “We hope members of the public will take the opportunity of National Assisted Living Week to visit an assisted living community and witness this devotion first-hand.”
Pennsylvania assisted living and personal care home facts and figures:
- Currently, more than 45,000 individuals live in more than 1,200 assisted living or personal care homes across Pennsylvania.
- The average assisted living residence or personal care home has 53 beds; the average number of persons served is 37.
- Assisted living companies and communities employ more than 400,000 individuals nationwide.
- More than 88 percent of residents are 60 years of age or older.
- Nearly 10.5 percent of residents are living with some form of dementia, such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Source: 2013 Annual Report: Bureau of Human Services Licensing. A Report on Licensed Personal Care Homes, http://www.dhs.state.pa.us/cs/groups/webcontent/documents/report/c_102850.pdf.
