Resolution Establishing Virginia Assisted Living Awareness Day In commemoration of the work of the Virginia Assisted Living Association (VALA) and to promote the needs of Virginia’s aging population, Delegate Christopher K. Peace (R-Mechanicsville) introduced HJ 792, a measure designating September 15, in 2009 and in each succeeding year, as Assisted Living Awareness Day in Virginia.
Speaking about the resolution offered by Peace, Executive Director, Judy M. Hackler stated, “The Virginia Assisted Living Association and its members are appreciative to each of the Virginia General Assembly members, and especially to Delegate Chris Peace, for establishing September 15 th as Virginia Assisted Living Awareness Day in Virginia . Virginia’s assisted living industry is represented by more than 550 licensed assisted living facilities and has the ability to serve more than 31,000 residents. Virginia’s assisted living facilities are dedicated to not only the residents in each of the facilities, but to their staff members, the family members of the residents, and to the surrounding communities who are all impacted by the existence of Virginia’s assisted living facilities.”
Assisted living provides relatively independent seniors with assistance and limited health care services in a home-like atmosphere including 24-hour protective oversight, food, shelter, and a range of services that promote the quality of life of the individual.
VALA is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to providing advocacy, communication, education, and resources to the assisted living industry in Virginia. Formed in 1996, they are the unified voice of assisted living in Virginia and the official state affiliate of the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA). Their members represent the entire spectrum of the industry: providers of both non-profit and for-profit, and large and small assisted living homes. They also welcome Industry Partners - companies, government agencies and individuals that provide a service to, or have an interest in, assisted living in Virginia.