Washington, DC – The American Health Care Association (AHCA) today praised the introduction of House Resolution 1291 (H.Res. 1291) by Representative Michael Arcuri (D-NY) “expressing support for designation of the week beginning May 9, 2010, as National Nursing Home Week.”
The resolution, which was introduced on April 22nd, calls for appropriate ceremonies and activities during National Nursing Home Week® to honor nursing home residents, dedicated long term care staff and professionals, family members and volunteers for their contributions to their communities.
“National Nursing Home Week is about recognizing the contributions of nursing home patients and staff who enrich the lives of so many in our community,” said Acuri. “I am proud to help draw attention to this critical means of care and honor those who make a positive difference in the lives of our nation’s senior citizens.”
“It is an honor for the residents and staff in our nation’s nearly 16,000 nursing facilities to be recognized by the U.S. House of Representatives,” stated Bruce Yarwood, President and CEO of AHCA. “We appreciate the support of Representative Arcuri for his introduction of House Resolution 1291.”
A majority of people in the United States, because of social needs, disability, trauma or illness, will require long term care services at some point in their lives. National Nursing Home Week honors the nearly 1.5 million elderly and disabled nursing home patients and the people who care for them each day.
Representative Arcuri was recently named "Legislator of the Year" by the National Burglar and Fire Alarm Association in 2009 for sponsoring legislation to help install fire safety equipment in nursing homes and assisted living facilities in order to protect seniors from deadly fires.
The full line text of the resolution follows:
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for designation of the week beginning May 9, 2010, as National Nursing Home Week.
Whereas more than 1,500,000 elderly and disabled individuals receive care daily in the nearly 16,000 nursing facilities in the United States;
Whereas the annual celebration of National Nursing Home Week invites people in communities nationwide to recognize nursing home residents and staff for their contributions to their communities;
Whereas the theme for National Nursing Home Week in 2010 is ‘‘Enriching Every Day’’, honoring those who are ‘‘Enriching Every Day’’ for others, thus adding value to life and overcoming many of the infirmities of age and disability;
Whereas nursing homes are intimate communities where acts of caring, kindness, and respect are the norm;
Whereas the positive bond that naturally develops between patients and their caregivers is established, patients experience not only better physical care and healing, but also enrichment of the mind, heart and spirit, which is an affirmation of their value;
Whereas National Nursing Home Week recognizes the people who provide care to the Nation’s most vulnerable population; and
Whereas the week beginning May 9, 2010, would be an appropriate week to designate as National Nursing Home Week: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives—
(1) supports the designation of a National Nursing Home Week;
(2) recognizes that a majority of people in the United States, because of social needs, disability, trauma, or illness, will require long term care services at some point in their lives;
(3) honors nursing home patients and the people who care for them each day, including family members, volunteers, and dedicated long-term care professionals, for their contributions to their communities and the United States; and
(4) encourages the people of the United States to observe National Nursing Home Week with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
As the nation’s largest association of long term and post-acute care providers, the American Health Care Association (AHCA) advocates for quality care and services for frail, elderly and disabled Americans. Compassionate and caring employees provide essential care to one million individuals in our 11,000 not-for-profit and proprietary member facilities.