I have lived in an assisted living home since July 2022 and, since prior thereto I have worked the AA Program and continue to do so. I have come to believe that in some ways the two share several similar, sometimes identical, characteristics. I speak from personal knowledge of both; it’s not an academic exercise but my personal reflections of some the principles of each organization. I have grown to love both for each sustains my life and provides strength to go forth. Here is what I mean.

Perhaps most important is the union of why people avail themselves of either AA or an assisted living facility. People who come to assisted living because they are hurt, have difficulty handling the basic elements of life, and are at an older age-usually at least 80, some near or over 100 years of age. They may suffer from an illness, perhaps one which is incurable, progressive and fatal. Many are crippled; some must be fed every meal. Daily care for these folks calls for high levels of medical and nursing assistance, and complexity beyond the capability of family members.

AA provides a way for people who have faced the disease of alcoholism and are working to beat their addiction and change their lives. As with assisted living, AA involves a broad commitment to its Program, for both, there is daily commitment to work the Steps of the Program or as with the assisted living facility, its commitment to the daily medical support, activities, and regular organized physical education exercise.

Perhaps surprisingly, both deal with management of the pain of those seeking help. For the alcoholic, that pain is the harm carried by the families, the work persons, friends and others harmed by the alcoholics’ drunken behavior. Assisted living emphasizes the importance of accepting the dire health condition of folks living in the facility. But the question of both is “what’s next,” how do I live with my alcoholism for that disease never gives up and always seeks a return to alcohol. For the assisted living person, life is better, more positive, made possible by accepting the situation and moving forward utilizing the best possible supportive medical assistance staff, and recreational and physical assistance. We know in the Program that the past can’t be changed, but an amend can be made and much time is spent on how and when to do it or not.

Both provide a spiritual aspect. AA provides an express spiritual life, a life requiring daily handling and reacting thereto. It’s all set forth clearly, specifically, in the Steps and we are called to maintain a spiritual life. Assisted living offers me three or four weekly Bible Study gatherings lead by clergy volunteering for the task, some of whom lead regular church services. Yes, my experience living through deaths of folks here who have become close friends is that people here reach out and provide support and guidance and remind us that Jesus is here for that person, reaching for him or her.

Similarity? I see and feel it walking around the halls of my home.  I encounter folks I’ve come to love and assist when needed. I felt the same warmth when I entered a regular noon meeting of my home group, “St X Noon”.

Both are critical parts of my life. I accept the teachings of both, while I am living in my assisted living facility and working the Program of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Jim A, St X noon, Cincinnati