Every year, assisted and senior living facilities participate in a week-long celebration of the individuals who live and serve in assisted living and long-term care communities.
If you’re a manager or administrator in the field, you’ve experienced the joy and connection National Assisted Living Week brings. You probably want every year to be as meaningful as the last one, but it’s not as easy as it sounds.
Around this time every year, you probably ask yourself: How do I make assisted living week a memorable experience for everyone?
What Is the Meaning of Assisted Living Week?
Established in 1995 by the National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL), National Assisted Living Week is an annual United States observance that recognizes and celebrates the contributions of assisted living communities and the individuals they serve.
During NALW, assisted and senior living facilities across the country partner with organizations to host various activities, events, and initiatives that highlight the positive impact of these communities on their residents’ well-being and quality of life.
The week also serves as a platform to engage residents, staff, families, and the community in fostering connections, sharing stories, and promoting unity and appreciation for the aging population who may need assistance with daily activities.
When Is Assisted Living Week Celebrated in the U.S.?
The week-long event typically occurs in the second week of September, beginning on Grandparent’s Day. This year, National Assisted Living Week starts September 10 through 16, 2023, with the theme “Season of Reflection.”
According to NCAL Executive Director LaShuan Bethea, this year’s NALW theme allows everyone to recognize and thank those who truly make assisted living communities a loving home. It also welcomes the sense of renewal that comes with the changing season.
Fun and Meaningful Activities for National Assisted Living Week
National Assisted Living Week is a beautiful opportunity to engage, uplift, and create cherished memories within assisted living communities. As we come together to honor the residents and dedicated staff who make these spaces feel like home, the week opens the doors to diverse activities that enrich lives, share joy, and strengthen relationships.
Here are a few fun ways you can make NALW 2023 memorable and meaningful to your residents, staff, families, and friends:
Start With Something Grand
National Assisted Living Week kicks off every year by celebrating the precious bond grandparents and grandchildren share on Grandparents Day, the first Sunday after Labor Day.
Start NALW strong by planning ahead for Grandparents Day. At least one week prior, reach out to your residents’ families and friends and encourage them to prepare something special for their grandparents. Make sure you invite them over for Grandparents Day so they can deliver their gifts personally and spend quality time together.
Here are a few things they can consider doing for Grandparents Day:
- Compile memorable photos
- Record video messages
- Write love letters or poems
- Bake healthy treats
- Cook their favorite meal
The National Center for Assisted Living also offers Season for Reflection-themed products you can purchase and give away to residents, staff, and family members.
Create and Celebrate Art
Deeply therapeutic, participating in the arts releases emotion, reduces stress, and elevates serotonin levels. It also shows promise in improving older adults’ quality of life by boosting cognitive function, memory, and self-esteem.
Throughout the NALW, organize art-related activities the residents can join and share with the staff and families. Because each resident has unique interests, skills, and levels of manual dexterity, it may be a good idea to give them several options to choose from.
Here are a few examples:
- Knitting
- Sewing
- Pottery
- Painting
- Coloring
- Music
- Choral Singing
- Dancing
Learn New Things Together
According to WebMD, the more you learn, the better your brain becomes at acquiring new knowledge or skills. This is why assisted and senior living facilities encourage older adults to learn new things actively.
Celebrate NALW by helping your residents stay mentally engaged. Organize activities that challenge them to learn something new. You can invite guests to teach the classes, or you can learn from each other by having several residents or their family members share their knowledge.
The lessons don’t have to be too complicated; you can do simple but exciting topics like:
- A recipe from a foreign cuisine
- Technology
- Common phrases in another language
- Flower arrangement
- A new song
- Meditation
- Yoga
Appreciate and Help Each Other
National Assisted Living Week isn’t all about the residents and their families; it also celebrates the tireless effort your dedicated staff and volunteers put in to turn the community into a true home. It’s the perfect time to show just how much you value them!
Invite residents to express their appreciation for your caregiving, medical, and administration staff members. They can write heartfelt letters, give thank-you gifts, or dedicate any of their art/craft creations to the person of their choice.
If you have residents who prefer acts of service, you can invite them to assist the staff with simple tasks like folding napkins or setting up centerpieces for the dining room.
Spread the Word
Sharing your NALW initiatives on the internet and social media is a powerful way to extend the celebration beyond the confines of your assisted living community. It engages a broader audience and promotes awareness about the significance of the observance.
By posting photos, sharing videos, and highlighting stories of residents and staff participating in various activities, you can showcase the vibrant and meaningful experiences taking place. Use #NALW and #AssistedLivingWeek on your posts to contribute to the national conversation.
You can post NALW updates on your assisted living facility’s website and social media accounts. If you're not sure how to start or where to get the necessary material, here are a few helpful links NCAL provided to help equip and encourage organizations as they celebrate National Assisted Living Week:
- NALW Season of Reflection Graphics
- NALW Season of Reflection Promotional Toolkit
- NALW Season of Reflection Free Planning Guide
Celebrate Senior Care All Year Round with Excellent Care and Superior Service
Appreciating dignified and compassionate care for the aging population doesn’t have to end after a week. Assisted living communities like yours can continue celebrating your residents by consistently delivering services that nurture their physical, emotional, and social well-being.
You can also continue to show appreciation for your staff by investing in technology and techniques that help them do their jobs better, easier, and faster. DosePacker is committed to helping your facility achieve this.
For more than 25 years, DosePacker has helped elevate prescription management and administration among residents in assisted living facilities.
Whether your facility needs QR code-enabled, multi-dose medication compliance packs, medication adherence apps, or intelligent medication management devices, our solutions are expertly designed to address assisted and senior living facilities' specific challenges.
For this season of reflection, celebrate your residents and staff by giving them the service and support they deserve.