Assisted Living Federation Challenges Presidential Candidates

ALEXANDRIA, Va., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — In advance of the January 29 primary election in Florida, the nation’s leading professional association for assisted living is challenging the presidential candidates of both parties to address the needs of America’s aging population — especially the “baby-boomers” who are turning 63 in 2009.

“The large senior population in Florida and their families deserve to know what the next president will do to meet their long term care challenges,” said Richard Grimes, president of the Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA).“ The Florida primary offers an ideal time to ask candidates how they will help Americans meet their long term care needs.”

Seniors make up the highest percentage of registered voters of any age group in the United States. In the 2004 presidential election 71 percent of seniors voted. Seniors represented almost one fifth of the total electorate. In Florida, more than 17 percent of the state population is over the age of 65 and the very old, those over 85 who are most in need of long term care, are the fastest growing segment of the population.

ALFA represents assisted living caregivers on the front lines who care for aging citizens. The organization’s members say that long term care must be near the top of the 2008 presidential campaign agenda. ALFA is sending letters to each candidate and encouraging its members to pose questions to the candidates at public forums throughout the 2008 campaign.

“This is not a Republican or a Democratic issue; it is an American issue”, said Grimes. “Those who want to lead this country must be prepared to deal with the challenge of caring for our senior citizens.”

The Assisted Living Federation of America (ALFA, http://www.alfa.org/) represents companies operating professionally managed assisted living communities for seniors. ALFA advocates choice for seniors, quality of care, and accessibility and portability of long term care for all Americans. ALFA’s efforts “raise the bar” for operational excellence among its member companies. Among other options for long term care, assisted living is the fastest growing residential care option for seniors in the United States. More than 36,000 communities care for more than one million seniors who need help in the activities of daily life to remain independent.

ASSISTED LIVING FEDERATION OF AMERICA

CONTACT: Chris Black of the Assisted Living Federation of America,+1-202-333-3853

Web Site: http://www.alfa.org/