“A Spark of Creativity” will be the theme for National Assisted Living Week, set for Sept. 8 to 14 this year, the National Center for Assisted Living announced Tuesday.
The annual observance was established by NCAL in 1995 to celebrate assisted living residents and offer an opportunity for others to learn more about this sector of long-term care.
“National Assisted Living Week is a time to celebrate, but it’s also a time to reflect and think about ways assisted living can continue to grow,” NCAL Executive Director Scott Tittle said. “ ‘A Spark of Creativity’ encourages everyone to get their creative juices flowing — whether it’s residents trying out new things or caregivers exploring innovative ways to improve care and community life.”
NCAL encourages residents to use the week to explore art therapy, which the American Art Therapy Association says has the potential to improve cognitive and sensory-motor functions, foster self-esteem and self-awareness, cultivate emotional resilience, enhance social skills, and reduce and resolve conflicts and distress.
The theme also aims to inspire assisted living staff members to get creative in furthering person-centered care with residents.
In the coming months, NCAL will issue a planning guide and products centered on ways to celebrate the theme at www.NALW.org.
