Author Archives for Herb Weiss

New Detailed Aging Report Will Help Officials, Policymakers

Published in RINewsToday on May 17,2025


By Herb Weiss

In an era of tightening budgets and shrinking federal and state resources for aging programs, legislators, service providers, and advocates now have access to vital data that can help identify and address the unmet needs of older adults in their communities.

Just over a week ago, the Gerontology Institute at the University of Massachusetts Boston released the latest Healthy Aging Data Reports (HADR), funded by the Point32Health Foundation. These reports offer a comprehensive, neighborhood-level view of aging in America—insights often unavailable from other sources.

Rhode Island’s updated report, released on May 1, 2025, follows previous editions published in 2016 and 2020. This year’s release also includes updates for Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire, and introduces a first-time report for Maine. The HADR team is now expanding its reach to additional regions, including parts of the Deep South (such as Mississippi) and the West (including Wyoming).

“This is what’s magical about our report: we provide data at very local levels,” says Dr. Elizabeth Dugan, principal investigator and associate professor of gerontology at UMass Boston. “That empowers local advocates, helps policymakers make smarter investments, and allows philanthropists to assess the impact of their contributions,” she says.

The Rhode Island report features 41 community profiles—covering each city and town, along with two neighborhoods in Providence. Drawing on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, Medicare Summary Beneficiary Files, the CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, and state health departments, the report highlights disparities that may be hidden in broader state- or county-level statistics.

“What’s powerful about this approach is that we can observe health outcomes that vary dramatically even within a 10-minute walk in the same city,” adds Dugan.

Spotlight on Rhode Island

Several key findings emerged from the 2025 Rhode Island report:

  • Health: Rhode Island ranks highest in New England for rates of high cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, ischemic heart disease and peripheral hearth disease, stroke, multiple chronic conditions (four or more), and anxiety disorders.
  • Gender Disparities: Women experience anxiety and depression at rates 15% higher than men and are also more likely to suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and PTSD.
  • Housing: Roughly 39% of older renters spend more than 35% of their income on housing. Additionally, 46% of Rhode Islanders aged 65 and older report annual incomes under $50,000.

“The Rhode Island Healthy Aging Data Reports are invaluable,” says Maureen Maigret, Policy Advisor for the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island and a member of several state aging commissions. “They provide essential data down to the ZIP code level, which is useful for legislative testimony, policy recommendations, program planning, and grant writing.”

With Rhode Island’s older adult population rising from 16.5% in 2020 to 18% in 2025, this data is more critical than ever. “The report shows how age and racial diversity vary widely across communities,” Maigret says, noting that in some smaller towns, older adults now make up over 30% of the population.

Maigret notes that availability of localized data helps municipalities develop comprehensive plans and adopt age-friendly strategies. Interactive maps within the report allow comparisons with state averages, making it easier to target resources where they are most needed.

The report also reveals demographic shifts, including a rise in the Hispanic older adult population—from 4.9% in 2020 to 5.9% in 2025. “There are significant racial and ethnic disparities in health outcomes,” says Maigret. “Black and Hispanic older adults are more likely to be dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid and to be enrolled in Medicare managed care,” she says.

As lawmakers navigate complex budget negotiations and potential changes to federal programs such as the Administration for Community Living, Medicaid, and the CDC, Maigret stresses the importance of leveraging this data in decision-making.

“Despite the growth in our older population and increasing reports of elder abuse, neglect, and substandard nursing home care, the Office of Healthy Aging’s budget has remained relatively flat,” she warns. “With half of its funding coming from the federal government, proposed cuts could seriously undermine vital programs such as the Long-Term Care Ombudsman,” she adds.

The report also shines a light on mental health, showing high rates of depression and anxiety—especially among older women. Maigret believes this supports increased investment in the 988 mental health crisis line and other behavioral health services.

Another notable trend is the continued shift toward Medicare managed care, now covering more than half of Rhode Islanders aged 65 and older. While rates of arthritis and depression have increased, the report also notes a decline in nursing home stays, inpatient admissions, emergency room visits, and several chronic conditions such as diabetes, COPD, hypertension, and heart disease.

Since the 2020 report, communities have taken meaningful steps to support aging in place. “The Village Common of RI has built age-friendly communities that enable older adults to live independently with the care and resources needed to promote health and well-being,” says Maigret. “There are now 11 local villages across 14 communities, supported by trained volunteers who help members stay connected and independent.”

Data Driving Policy and Innovation

Marie E. Cimini, MSW, Director of the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging, says the HADR report has broad implications. “As a state agency, we must lead with policies that prioritize inclusion, access, and dignity throughout the aging journey.”

“The report reinforces our commitment to advancing the goals outlined in the RI 2030 Plan, especially around expanding in-home care, supporting workforce development, and strengthening behavioral health services,” Cimini continues. “But it also challenges us to go further—to integrate aging into every aspect of public life and ensure that the voices of older adults inform policy at every level.”

For Meghan Grady, Executive Director of Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island (MOWRI), one of the most important takeaways is the persistence of health disparities, particularly in managing chronic conditions. Grady supports legislation introduced by Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38) and Rep. Justine Caldwell (D-Dist. 30) to integrate medically tailored meals into healthcare delivery. “This report validates our advocacy,” she says. “Food is a fundamental part of care, especially for aging populations facing health disparities.”

The HADR report is also proving instrumental for nonprofit organizations. “We use the data in community presentations, grant proposals, and to guide our work in promoting health equity,” says Debra Burton, Executive Director of RI Elder Info. “With so much uncertainty around policy and funding for programs that impact older adults and caregivers, this data helps us identify where changes will have the greatest impact,” she says.

James Connell, Executive Director of Age-Friendly RI, agrees. “The Healthy Aging Data Report is extraordinarily helpful for nonprofits across sectors. I used it to support funding for a home-share program that pairs older homeowners with individuals facing housing insecurity—a creative approach to our state’s housing crisis,” he says.

“The ’25 Healthy Aging Report provides vital indicators of older adult well-being that are essential for policymaking, intentional planning, and program development,” says Connell. “The data highlight serious concerns about the mental and emotional health of our community, with one in three Rhode Islanders experiencing anxiety and/or depression.” Connell also emphasizes the report’s finding that women are disproportionately affected, calling it “a clear call to action for improved screening and more accessible treatment options.”

Greg Shell, Chair of the Point32Health Foundation Board of Directors, emphasizes the value of data in shaping policy. “When we use data to guide our work, we can change policies and practices, engage communities, and highlight what truly matters,” he says. “These reports are essential tools in making New England a better place to grow up and grow old.”

The research team behind the Healthy Aging Data Reports includes: Principal Investigator Elizabeth Dugan, PhD, along with Nina Silverstein, PhD; Qian Song, PhD; Taylor Jansen, PhD; Jay Lee, PhD; Yan-Jhu Su, PhD; Han Lin, PhD; Shan Qu, MS; Tiffany Tang, BS; Jeannine Johnson, PhD; Amanda Cox, MS; and Mengshi Liu.

To access the 2025 Rhode Island Healthy Aging Data Report, visit https://healthyagingdatareports.org/ri/rhode-island-healthy-aging-data-report.

National report says Alzheimer’s Disease expected to skyrocket

Published in RINewsToday on May 5, 2025

The 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, released last week by the Chicago-based Alzheimer’s Association, highlights a dramatic rise in the number of Americans affected by the disease—signaling an urgent call to action for policymakers.

According to the report, the total annual costs of caring for people living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias (excluding unpaid care) is projected to be $384 billion in 2025.  The projected costs are expected to increase to $1 trillion (in today’s dollars) by mid-century.  Additionally, nearly 12 million family members and friends provide 19.2 billion hours of unpaid care, valued at an additional $413 billion. And deaths due to Alzheimer’s disease more than doubled between 2000 and 2022.

Taking a Comprehensive Look at Alzheimer’s

Published annually in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association, the report has, since 2007, served as the leading source of comprehensive national data on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. It offers critical insights into the impact, prevalence, and challenges of Alzheimer’s, shaping national conversations and guiding policy and research efforts.

The new survey findings are included in an accompanying special report, American Perspectives on Early Detection of Alzheimer’s Disease in the Era of Treatment. The nationwide survey of more than 1,700 Americans aged 45 and older examined awareness and attitudes about Alzheimer’s disease, early detection and diagnosis, tests used to help diagnose Alzheimer’s, and treatments that can slow progression of the disease.

Their survey finds that people want to know if they have Alzheimer’s, and they want to know before it impacts their daily life. They want a simple test so they can access care earlier, including treatments that can slow the progression of the disease,” said Elizabeth Edgerly, Ph.D., senior director, Community Programs and Services, Alzheimer’s Association in a statement announcing the release of the report. “Their interest in early diagnosis and treatment highlights how important it is that we keep advancing toward diagnostic testing that is simple to administer and widely available. We also heard loud and clear that Americans want disease-modifying treatments that can make a real difference after an Alzheimer’s diagnosis,” she says.

If diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, 83% would be willing to participate in a clinical trial for treatment to help slow or cure the disease, note the findings. And 48% cited the ability to participate in clinical trials as a reason for wanting Alzheimer’s testing.

The study findings suggest that Americans are optimistic about new treatments to slow or prevent Alzheimer’s disease.  Eighty-one percent believe that new treatments to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s will emerge in the next decade. And 66% believe that new treatments to prevent the disease will be available soon.

Meanwhile, this year’s findings suggest that Americans are concerned about Alzheimer’s testing and how it could affect future care. Forty-four percent 44% worry that insurance will not cover future care and treatment following testing and 41% stay they are concerned about test accuracy.  Other concerns expressed by the respondents include the cost of testing, and losing confidence in abilities or not being allowed to do certain activities (such as driving).

There Are Not Enough Dementia Care Specialists

In the coming years, the 2025 Facts and Figures report warns policy makers of a shortage of dementia care specialists (including neurologists, geriatricians and geriatric psychiatrists) and direct care workers.  Fifty-five percent of primary care physicians caring for people living with Alzheimer’s report that there are not enough dementia care specialists in their communities.

Researchers estimate that 34% to 59% of those aged 65 years and older reside in areas with potential dementia specialist shortfalls. The report estimates that more than 18,000 geriatricians will be needed to care for the approximately 12.7 million individuals aged 65 and older projected to have Alzheimer’s dementia in 2050 — more than double the number of geriatricians who were practicing in 2021.

While it is reported that between 2014 and 2023, the number of direct care workers increased from 3.5 million to 5 million due to growing demand for long-term care, researchers estimate that over 861,000 additional direct care workers will be needed by 2032 — more new workers than in any other single occupation in the United States.

Between 2022 and 2032, the report warns that double-digit percentage increases in the number of needed home health and personal care aides will be needed in every state except Maine to meet the increasing demand. Despite recent increases, projections fall short of true workforce demand.

But they remain optimistic that the next decade will bring new Alzheimer’s treatments to slow, prevent and even cure the devastating disorder.  Four in five Americans (81%) believe new treatments to stop the progression of Alzheimer’s will emerge in the next decade, and 66% believe new treatments to prevent Alzheimer’s will be available soon.

Taking a Close Look at Rhode Island Statistics

According to the 2025 Rhode Island Alzheimer’s Statistics, 22,000 people are living with Alzheimer’s, representing 11.2% of the population aged 65 or older.  There are 37,000 unpaid caregivers providing $52 million in care (valued at $1.4 billion), notes the report’s findings. The statewide deaths from Alzheimer’s disease is 475.  Alzheimer’s Disease as a cause of death ranks 5th.

The Rhode Island Fact Sheet notes that the number of Rhode Islanders in Hospice (2017) with a primary diagnosis is 1,657 or 25 percent.  In 2018, the number of emergency visits per 1,000 people with dementia was 1,606.

And the state’s Medicaid costs of caring for people with Alzheimer’s in 2025 was $ 613 million.  The per capita Medicare spending on people with dementia in 2024 dollars is estimated to be $ 31,741.

Jerry Larkin, MD, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Health commented, “This report shows the need for continued public health efforts to support the growing number of people with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias in Rhode Island and their caregivers.  The Rhode Island Department of Health is committed to supporting social service agencies to address cognitive decline among their patients and community members; improving diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s within primary care; and providing resources and educational tools, such as the RI Brain Health Guide for families to navigate systems to manage this disease.”

On WJAR’s Health Check 10 website, on April 29, 2025, Barbara Morse got the scoop in announcing the release of the latest Alzheimer’s Facts and Figures Report. For the first time, more than 7.2 million people in the U.S. are living with Alzheimer’s, notes Alzheimer’s expert Dr. Ted Huey, the director of the Memory and Aging Program at Butler Hospital in Providence. “That number is expected to double to nearly 14 million by 2040, with an estimated one million new cases each year by 2060,” he says.

Dr. Huey told Morse, “We have the first new disease modified medications in forever.  Really, the first ones that remove one of the key proteins that causes Alzheimer’s disease.”

Despite advances in treating Alzheimer’s, federal funding for research is being cut, which could hinder progress. “It would be a shame to cut it now because I think we’re really at a good place and we’re making some real advances,” says Huey.

“The survey showing that more Americans want to know if they have Alzheimer’s and that they are interested in taking a medication to slow the disease emphasizes the need for our important work. We need to educate more people about the 10 Signs of Alzheimer’s, when to take their memory concerns to a doctor and our support programs. This is an exciting time for treatment and we want people to know we are here for them,” says Donna McGowan, Executive Director of the Rhode Island chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. 

“Our survey makes it clear — most Americans want to take action if they experience cognitive problems,” said Alzheimer’s Association Edgerly. “With the rising prevalence of Alzheimer’s, it’s more important than ever that researchers, clinicians, health systems, public health officials and other stakeholders work together to ensure all Americans have access to timely and appropriate Alzheimer’s diagnosis, care and treatment,” she says.

The Alzheimer’s Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer’s care, support and research. Its mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. For more info, visit alz.org or call 800.272.3900.
29, 2025

To download the 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, go to https://www.alz.org/getmedia/ef8f48f9-ad36-48ea-87f9-b74034635c1e/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf.

Meeting the challenges of an aging farm workforce, in a bipartisan way

Published in RINewsToday on April 28, 2025

About 16 months ago, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging Ranking Member Mike Braun (R-IN) released a report titled Feeding the Future, sounding the alarm about the growing challenges older farmers face and urging Congress and the Biden administration to secure the future of American agriculture. Now, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL), the current chair of the Senate Aging Committee, is continuing this effort with the release of a new report addressing the same issue.

On March 31, Scott unveiled his eight-page report, America’s Aging Farm Workforce: Why Vanishing Family Farms Are a Growing Threat to U.S. Food Security and Rural Communities. The report notes that one-third of farmers and ranchers are over the age of 65, with a median age of 58—making agriculture the oldest workforce in the nation. “We’re seeing fewer young people follow in their parents’ footsteps,” Scott said, warning that this trend threatens America’s food security and the vitality of rural communities.

Zippy Duvall, President of the American Farm Bureau Federation, has also raised concerns. “As many farmers and ranchers reach retirement age, they face uncertainty over the future of their farms, which in many cases have been in the family for generations,” he said, pointing to high production costs, land competition, and declining profits as ongoing threats to sustainability.

“The data is clear—our farming population is aging rapidly, and without targeted action, we risk losing family farms and, with them, the backbone of rural America and our national food supply,” said Terry Kippley, President & CEO of the Council of Producers & Distributors of Agrotechnology (CPDA). Kippley pledged to work with Senator Scott to develop long-term solutions that support the next generation of farmers, reduce regulatory burdens, and ensure access to modern tools and technologies.
Troubling statistics

The Senate Aging Committee’s report outlines serious demographic challenges. Currently, aging farmers and ranchers control 40% of America’s farmland. Over the next two decades, approximately 350 million acres are expected to change hands, raising concerns about consolidation of family farms—particularly by foreign or adversarial entities.

At the same time, the number of farms is shrinking. The U.S. has lost 200,000 farms since 2007, and 40 million acres have been converted to non-agricultural use. While over 800 million acres of land are currently farmable, an annual loss of 1.9 million acres poses a significant threat to the country’s food production capacity.

Barriers like high operating costs, limited land access, and a lack of healthcare or retirement benefits discourage young people from entering the profession. Over 80% of farmers must work a second job just to stay financially stable. Buying or expanding farmland is also increasingly expensive – averaging $4,000 per acre, a 7.4% increase since 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In addition, inflation and regulatory challenges are placing further economic strain on farmers. The Senate report recommends reducing these pressures through economic reforms, promoting innovation, simplifying regulations, and encouraging fair market competition to support American agriculture.

Policy suggestions include reducing inflation and energy costs, repealing the federal estate tax, investing in agricultural R&D (particularly in areas like organic farming and agri-tourism), and leveraging artificial intelligence for production and marketing. The report also urges Congress to strengthen protections against foreign land acquisitions and to pass legislation such as the Regulatory Decimation Act and the REINS Act to limit burdensome rules.

The report emphasizes that a new Farm Bill must genuinely support farmers and view food security as part of national security. To that end, it also calls for tariffs, when necessary, to counteract foreign subsidies that harm American producers.

Bipartisan push to attract a new generation of farmers

In the early days of the 119th Congress, on April 1, 2025, a group of bipartisan House lawmakers—Representatives Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Don Davis (D-NC), Eric Sorenson (D-IL), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), and Gabe Vasquez (D-NM)—introduced the New Producer Economic Security Act (H.R. 2536). A companion bill (S.1237) was introduced in the Senate by Senator Tina Smith (D-MN).

H.R. 2536 was referred to the House Agriculture Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities, Risk Management, and Credit, while S.1237 was sent to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

The proposed legislation would establish a pilot program within the Farm Service Agency (FSA) aimed at helping new and beginning farmers overcome the biggest barriers to entry: access to land, capital, and markets. The goal is to strengthen the farm workforce and secure the U.S. food system.

“If we’re going to revitalize American agriculture, we must ensure young farmers have the tools to succeed,” said Rep. Budzinski. “This bill addresses the biggest challenges they face—access to land, markets, and capital.”


“In Iowa, agriculture is our backbone,” added Rep. Nunn. “Young Americans who are willing to feed and fuel our country deserve every form of support we can offer.”

“The average producer in the U.S. is 58, and in Minnesota, it’s 57,” noted Sen. Smith. “Investing in the next generation of farmers is essential to food security and the economic strength of rural America.”

Jordan Treakle, Policy and Programs Director of the National Family Farm Coalition echoed these sentiments. “This bill supports new and beginning family farmers at a time when land consolidation is increasing. Keeping farmland in the hands of those who feed our communities is critical for a resilient food system,” he said.

A joint statement introducing the legislation emphasized that with nearly half of U.S. farmland expected to change ownership in the coming decades, this is a timely opportunity to create policies that ensure land stays accessible and productive.

Rhode Island

According to the 2024 Census of Agriculture, Rhode Island is home to 1,938 farmers and ranchers. Of these, 34% are age 65 or older, which amounts to approximately 659 individuals. Furthermore, about 90% of Rhode Island’s senior farmers do not have a younger farm operator (under age 45) working with them, raising concerns about farm succession. This issue is highlighted in the February 2016 report “Keeping Farmers on the Land,” issued by the American Farmland Trust. These concerning statistics should serve as a call to action for Rhode Island’s Congressional Delegation to address the issue by becoming cosponsors of the New Producer Economic Security Act.

Key provisions of the Bill

The House and Senate versions of the New Producer Economic Security Act would:

• Provide grants and cooperative agreements to state and tribal governments, non-profit organizations, community lenders, farmer cooperatives, and other eligible groups to improve access to land, capital, and markets.
• Offer funding for direct support services to help young farmers acquire land, pay closing costs and down payments, build infrastructure, and receive technical assistance and training.
• Prioritize projects that facilitate farmland transition from older to younger producers, include collaborative partnerships, or offer direct financial support to new producers.
• Establish a stakeholder advisory committee to help evaluate applications and ensure the program meets the real needs of farmers and ranchers.

Since becoming a permanent committee in 1977, the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging has consistently worked in a bipartisan manner, regardless of which party held the majority. In light of Chairman Scott’s report urging action on the aging farm workforce, he and Ranking Member Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) should consider co-sponsoring S.2536—or working together to craft a bipartisan proposal to be introduced and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, or the appropriate committee.

Now is the time for Democrats and Republicans to set aside political differences and come together to address the challenges posed by America’s aging farm workforce—and the serious threat this poses to our food security.

On January 15, 2025, during his opening statement at the first Senate Aging Committee hearing of the 119th Congress, Chairman Scott said: “I believe we have a significant opportunity in this Committee to work in a bipartisan manner to support and improve the lives of America’s current senior citizens and to create change that will enhance both the lifespan and health span of future generations.” This includes improving the lives of America’s older farmers and ranchers.

The New Producer Economic Security Act is endorsed by the National Young Farmers Coalition, Rural Advancement Foundation International-USA, American Farmland Trust, National Sustainable Agriculture Coalition, and Rural Coalition.

To download Chairman Scott’s report, America’s Aging Farm Workforce: Why Vanishing Family Farms Are a Growing Threat to U.S. Food Security and Rural Communities.” go to https://www.aging.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/2025_aging_farm_workforce_report.pdf.