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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:
Thursday, September 9, 2004 Jeanne-Marie Ragan
Public Information Officer
Health Facilities and Emergency Medical Services Division
(303) 692-2887
NATIONAL ASSISTED LIVING WEEK, SEPTEMBER 12-18, 2004
DENVER – The 10th annual National Assisted Living Week will be celebrated
during the week of September 12-18, 2004. This year’s theme is Caring for
Our Heritage. The first day of National Assisted Living Week, Sunday,
September 12, also is Grandparent’s Day, established in 1978 through a
Presidential Proclamation.
National Assisted Living week highlights the important role assisted
living residences play in the nation’s health care system, and provides an
excellent opportunity for residents, family, staff and community members
to recognize and celebrate the services provided by assisted living
residences. This year’s theme encourages the sharing and exploration of
various people’s heritage, so that diverse backgrounds are recognized as
an important part of every community.
There are more than 900,000 people residing in about 36,000 assisted
living residences around the country, and Colorado has about 530 assisted
living residences ranging in size from three to 245 beds.
Douglas H. Benevento, the Colorado Department of Public Health and
Environment’s executive director, said, “Assisted living residences
provide a valuable service to Colorado. They furnish a living environment;
food; personal services; social care; and protective oversight for our
loved ones who can no longer safely live on their own.”
The Department of Public Health and Environment’s Health Facilities and
Emergency Management Services Division oversees the licensing of assisted
living residences in Colorado and the quality of care provided to patients
in those facilities.
Benevento indicated that the most common reasons for admission to assisted
living residences are medication management; bathing and dressing
assistance; and the need for protective oversight and supervision.
The state health director emphasized that anyone in the process of
selecting an assisted living residence for a loved one or themselves
should be fully informed when making health care choices. The selection
process includes finding an assisted living residence in an appropriate
geographic area; reviewing the history of those homes; visiting in person;
and contacting agencies and associations that can provide useful
information.
Benevento suggested that once a list of possible facilities has been
prepared, it’s a good idea to contact each home and schedule a visit and
tour.
“It is important to personally talk with the staff, residents,
administrator and any family members that might be in the facility when
you visit,” the state health director said. “Be certain to ask about
quality of care issues, such as staffing levels and care services
provided. It also is important to ask about quality of life programs, such
as activities, and social and cultural events.”
To find assisted living residences in Colorado, visit one of the
Department of Public Health and Environment’s Internet sites at
http://www.HealthFacilities.info and click on the link titled “Assisted Living
Residences.” From there, interested persons will be able to view a listing
of Colorado facilities, which can be sorted by geographic location, and to
obtain a detailed listing of the homes. Complaint or occurrence
investigations also can be reviewed, and the site includes demographic
information such as facility address, telephone number and fax number.
Those interested in obtaining a planning guide to the National Assisted
Living Week should visit the National Center for Assisted Living’s
Internet site at
http://www.nalw.org/.
The National Center for Assisted Living founded this annual recognition
week in 1995, and provides resources and ideas on how to fully celebrate
the week.
The Department of Public Health and Environment’s Health Facilities and
Emergency Medical Services Division also can provide information on
National Assisted Living Week as well as answer specific questions on
Colorado’s assisted living program. Consumers can contact the division by
calling (303) 692-2800; toll free 1-800-886-7689, Ext. 2800; or by
visiting the division at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South, Denver.
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