National Assisted Living Week was established in 1995 to recognize the role assisted living has in caring for America’s seniors and disabled individuals. Organized by the National Center for Assisted Living, this annual practice brings together residents, their families, staff and volunteers, as well as their surrounding communities – all over the country – to partake in events,activities and celebrations of the individuals they care for while enlightening the public about the field.

This year, NALW’s theme is “A Spark of Creativity” and it will place from September 8 to September 14, Sunday to Saturday. The theme is hoped to inspire residents to awaken their creative side through various activities, from the arts to other activities that keep seniors sharp.

Art therapy is one of the theme’s focuses. The method has been shown to have many benefits for the elderly, from improving or maintaining cognitive and sensory-motor capabilities, to nurturing self-esteem and self-awareness, encouraging socialization amongst each other, and helping meet their emotional needs. As the National Institute on Aging puts it: participating in the arts creates paths to healthy aging. These benefits are why we practice art therapy here in ComForCare.

For assisted living staff, NALW’s theme is meant to inspire them to get creative in how they provide their care. Do they have any ideas to help improve residents’ lives or make facility operations go smoother? The country’s best and brightest will be offering their best ideas in NALW.  We’ll see as the events unfold. It’s why the annual observance is so significant, as participants share their experiences and exchange their knowledge and expertise.

Needless to say, ComForCare will be participating in NALW with gusto and we’ll keep our eyes open, hoping to find inspiration and learn new ways to improve care for the elderly. After all, we place utmost priority in ensuring our caregivers provide quality services.