Author Archives for Herb Weiss

Senior Agenda Coalition of RI unveils its 2025 legislative priorities at forum,

Published in RINewsToday on March 17, 2025

On March 14, 2025, hundreds of older Rhode Islanders, aging network providers, state officials, and lawmakers gathered at the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI)’s 2025 legislative forum, “United Voices for Meaningful Advocacy” at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick. With the RI House deliberating the FY 2025 budget and key legislation impacting older adults, SACRI announced its legislative priorities.

SACRI Board Chair Kathy McKeon gave welcoming remarks, giving recognition to major sponsor Delta Dental.  Serving as master of ceremonies, Executive Director Carol Anne E. Costa kept the three hour Legislative Forum on track.

SACRI Policy Advisor Maureen Maigret gave an overview and highlighted the growing influence of Rhode Island’s aging population.

“We’re 200,000 strong and growing,” she said, noting that within five years, one in four Rhode Islanders will be 65 or older. In 21 of the state’s 39 cities and towns, older adults now make up at least 20% of the population, with some communities reaching over 30%.

The Economic Impact of Older Adults

Maigret noted that 21% of older Rhode Islanders still work, many are caregivers for loved ones, and vote in higher numbers than any other age group. About 12% are veterans, and many volunteer at senior centers, Meals on Wheels, RSVP, and The Village Common of RI.

Older adults also contribute significantly to the economy. According to AARP’s Longevity Economic Outlook report, those aged 50 and older generate 40% of the nation’s GDP. In Rhode Island, retirees inject $4 billion into the economy through Social Security benefits.

However, many older adults struggle financially. “The ‘forgotten middle’ falls through the cracks,” Maigret said, referring to those with low incomes who don’t qualify for Medicaid or other public benefits. Long-term care costs are rising, and even with home equity many middle-income adults will not be able to pay for long-term.

Census data reveals that one in four Rhode Island households headed by someone 65 or older  have incomes less than $25,000 annually, and nearly half have  less than $50,000. The average Social Security benefit is $23,995, with men receiving $26,372 and women $23,565.

Shaping SACRI’s 2025 Legislative Agenda

Survey results from SACRI’s October 2024 Conference guided this year’s priorities. Among 241 respondents (42% aged 75 and older), top concerns included healthcare costs and access, economic security, housing, and community supports.

SACRI’s top priority is expanding the state’s Medicare Savings Program (MSP) by increasing income and asset limits. “Expanding MSP eligibility would provide an extra $185 monthly, or $2,200 annually, to thousands of older adults,” Maigret said. The federal government would cover the cost of those newly eligible. This extra income could help with food, utility bills, or rent and a boon to the state’s economy, she said.

With primary care practices closing due to retirement and low reimbursements, SACRI is pushing for a rate review to ensure competitive payments.

Though fewer than 5% of older Rhode Islanders live in nursing homes, Maigret stressed the importance of addressing the industry’s staffing shortages,  and substandard care, SACRI supports increasing wages for direct care staff, rewarding high-performing nursing homes, ensuring financial transparency, and preventing Medicaid cuts.

To address the housing crisis, SACRI advocates for fair allocation of state housing funds for housing for older adults and persons with disabilities. With public housing waitlists up to five years long, this is essential. SACRI is also pushing to expand income eligibility for the property tax relief program to $50,000 and mandating accessibility features in new developments.

Aging in place is another priority. SACRI calls for adding $600,000 ($10 per person age 65 and older) to the state budget to support community senior centers and enacting a caregiver tax credit to assist Rhode Island’s 112,000 caregivers, who spend an average of $7,000 out of pocket annually.

SACRI also seeks to increase Medicaid’s asset limit from $4,000 to $12,000 to help older adults on Medicaid remain at home. Additional funding for volunteer programs and continuing the “Ride to Anywhere Pilot” are also on SACRI’s agenda.

Maigret also noted SACRI is in close contact with the state’s Congressional delegation to oppose any harmful Medicaid cuts or changes in Social Security.”

Lawmakers Respond

Bringing greetings from House Speaker Joe Shekarchi, Rep. Lauren Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport), who chairs the Special Legislative Commission on Services and Programs for Older Rhode Islanders, acknowledged the political power of older voters. “In the 2024 primary, 87% of voters were over age 85. I paid close attention to that,” she said.

Carson emphasized the importance of protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. “Social Security is a promise. We paid into it. We can’t lose that program,” she said.

She highlighted legislative victories from 2024, including a $10 million investment to stabilize nursing homes, raising the pension exemption from $20,000 to $50,000, and launching the “Digital Age” initiative to bridge the digital divide. However, she stressed that more work remains.

Carson is also leading efforts to eliminate ageist language from state statutes, replacing terms like “elderly” and “senior citizen” with “older adults.” “We’re living diverse lifestyles beyond age 60, and our language should reflect that,” she said.

Representing Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio (D-Dist. 4, North Providence, Providence) Senator Jacob E. Bissaillon (D-Dist. 1, Providence), chair of the Senate Committee on Housing & Municipal Government, echoed Carson’s concerns. He warned that state lawmakers must protect hard-won progress in light of potential federal cuts and a $250 million state budget shortfall.

Bissaillon called for addressing the housing crisis. “There are 150,000 Rhode Island households paying over 33% of their income on housing. We need 20,000 more affordable units and 2,000 permanent supportive housing units,” he said. He also supports eliminating the state income tax on Social Security and pointed to the Senate’s newly established Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technologies Committee noting it is important aims to protect older adults from cyber scams. “It’s critical that Rhode Island keeps pace with technology,” Bissaillon said “We have our work cut out for us,” he concluded.

Following the legislative priorities session, Carlson called to order a meeting of the Special Legislative Commission on Services and Programs for Older Rhode Islanders.

At this time, Elizabeth Dugan, PhD from the University of Massachusetts Gerontology Institute presented highlights from the 2025 RI Healthy Aging Data Report scheduled for full release on May 1st.

A Final Note…

It was obvious today that older voices must be heard,” said Director Mary Lou Moran of the City of Pawtucket’s Division of Senior Services, emphasizing the importance of SACRI’s Legislative Forum . She noted that the event provided a valuable opportunity for seniors, aging advocates, and organizations to gather and share the latest information, resources and more importantly hear from the State’s legislative leaders.

Moran expressed her support for SACRI’s  advocacy for the State to allocate $10 per person aged 65 and over to communities  to fund senior centers and senior programs. “Senior centers play a vital role in helping older Rhode Islanders age in place within their communities and offer innumerable opportunities for social engagement, healthy living opportunities, and act as a reliable resource for not only them but for their families and their caregivers” she explained.

Moran also strongly supports SACRI’s efforts to increase the income eligibility for the state’s Medicare Savings Program (MSP). By participating in MSP, individuals can have their Part B Medicare premium covered, and for some low-income participants, the program also helps with prescription drug costs. “Reducing the cost of Part B premiums and, for some[]  who are income eligible, covering  prescription drug expenses allows older adults to redirect those savings toward essentials like rent,  utilities, and food,” she added. 

To watch SACRI’s Leadership Forum held on March 14, 2025, go to:                                                                https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/show/10954?site=1.    

To view Larson’s  Special Legislative Commission on Services and Programs for Older Rhode                                                            Islanders held at SARCI’s Leadership Forum, go to:                                                                          https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/show/10955?site=1.

To learn more about SACRI, go to https://senioragendari.org/

A snapshot of older travelers, and travel tips

Published in RINewsToday on March 10, 2025

Larry Tetreault, 78, and wife Diane, 72, don’t spend their days sitting in rocking chairs on their porch in Narragansett.  For over 20 years, the former educators have traveled quite a bit, mostly taking international trips,” says Larry. These trips, usually to warmer climates (Bahamas, Bermuda, and Aruba), “put a spring in our steps,” he notes.

“Oftentimes we travel to upper New York state to visit old friends,” he says, noting that sometimes their son, his wife, and the grandkids,come along, too.

After a lifetime of work, the Narragansett residents (formerly from Pawtucket) admit that they enjoy their traveling. “It helps us to relax, and it makes life a whole lot more enjoyable,” says Larry, a former Pawtucket City Councilor. “We’re making the most of the time we have left by doing things that we enjoy, like travelling” he adds.

Next week, the Tetreaults are planning to travel to Aruba for a two-week stay. “It’s a beautiful place to visit, well-managed, clean,  literally little crime, and great weather,” notes Larry.  

Like the Tetreaults, older Americans are beginning to make their travel plans this year.  Last week, AARP released 2025 Travel Trends research revealing a significant rise in the percentage of adults aged 50 and older who plan to travel, from 2024 (65%) to 2025 (70%), reflecting an upward trend beyond pre-pandemic levels. 

The study also highlights a growing preference for domestic air travel in 2025 – up from 38% in 2024 to 46% this year, surpassing traveling by personal vehicle, now at 43%, down from 49% in 2024. Contributing factors for this decrease appears to be the declining COVID concerns and reduced inflationary stress, says the report.   

Travel is Back in Full Swing for Older Adults 

The 44-page report, 2025 Travel Trends: A Survey of U.S. Adults Age 50-Plus,  examines the travel behaviors, expectations, and planning among adults – this year with a sample size of 2,970 respondents.  

“We are delighted to see that travel is back in full swing for older adults,” said Patty David, Vice President of Consumer Insights for AARP in a March 6 statement announcing the study’s release. “Spending time with family and friends is a primary motivator for adults 50 and older to travel. And it’s no surprise what benefits travel provides to older adults: Almost all respondents indicated that travel is good for their mental (95%) and physical (85%) health,” she says.

According to the AARP study’s findings, more than half (56%) of respondents said spending time with family or friends was a top motivator for travel. Like the Tetreaults, many also see travel as an opportunity to escape daily routines or focus on rest and relaxation and to rejuvenate. 

Last year, the study found that adults 50 and older took more trips than anticipated for the first time – the highest in four years. While older adults anticipated taking 3.6 trips on average, they actually took 3.9 trips on average. Adults 50-plus remain conservative in their anticipated number of trips in 2025 – about 3.6 on average, note the findings.

Though planned trips are on the rise, cost remains the main barrier to travel in 2025. Total anticipated spending, however, remains steady year over year at approximately $6,800, on average, the findings say.

AARP’s Travel Trends survey also found that in 2025 the top domestic destinations are Florida (15%), California (11%), Las Vegas (6%), New York (6%), Texas (6%) and Arizona (4%).  Where’s Rhode Island?????

Meanwhile, AARP’s Travel study findings indicate that while the older respondents anticipated taking family trips, summer trips and weekend getaways domestically, the top motivators for taking an international trip was tied to being on a person’s bucket list (22%) and family or multi-generational trips (11%).  

The researchers found that anticipation of international trips has increased from 37% in 2024 to 45% in 2025, though this still remains below pre-pandemic levels of 52%.

As to getting help for planning their trips about 40% of adult travelers expressed interested in taking an organized group trip, with a guided travel tour, of greatest interest (25%). While most older travelers are not currently aware of curated trips (60%), once learning about this, 55% express interest in having a personalized itinerary for them.

Like many of the older respondents, Tetreault’s wife does the planning for their trips “She finds information online by just cruising the internet,” he admitted that “booking a trip can be a breeze,” too.  

As to planning your trip, AARP’s survey of U.S. Adults Age 50-Plus, found that getting assistance from Artificial Intelligence (AI) planning is slow to take hold.  Although ninety-eight percent are aware of AI, only 1 in 10 (8%) say that they use it for planning purposes.  However, the researchers noted that for those who did use AI, about 94% say that using it was helpful in planning their trip. 

Tips for Older International Travelers

“Travel Smart. Travel Safe. Travel Well,” reads a handout for older travelers posted on the U.S Department of State’s (DOS) website, www.travel.state.gov.  DOS, a federal agency that manages the United States’s foreign affairs, provides the following information for older travelers to review while making your international travel plans.  

DOS recommends that older travelers learn as much about their vacation designation(s)  as they can before their departures.  Do you need to get a visa, or vaccinations? Can you take your meds into the country? Both are important questions to answer.

At least three months before your trip, DOS suggests that you check your passport’s expiration date and entry requirement for your foreign designations on your trip itinerary.  Always review cancellation policies, too. It just might be prudent to consider purchasing travel and luggage insurance, says the handout, noting that many credit card, travel or tourism companies offer this protection for an additional fee. 

Before you leave, always leave a copy of your passport and travel itinerary with a family member or friend.

According to DOS, it is prudent for older travelers to know that Medicare doesn’t cover healthcare oversees. So, do your research and identify companies that offer short-term health and emergency assistance policies to cover overseas health expenses that include emergency medical and dental services, including medical evacuations.

DOS’s travel.state.gov/destination page provides details as to any health checks or vaccinations for the country you are visiting.  Schedule an appointment with your physician six to eight weeks before your trip to get your required vaccinations.  Also, identify any environmental conditions that may exacerbate your health (attitude, pollution, humidity, etc.).

Before leaving, make sure you pack ample supply of your prescription medications, suggests DOS’s handout.  Always discuss any time zone differences with your physician to make adjustments to your medication schedule both on the way out and your return home.  Always keep your medication in their original, labeled containers.  In case of a refill in a foreign country, always know the generic name of your medications.  The embassy or consulate of the country you are visiting can tell you if your prescribed medications are not considered illegal substances under the local laws.

DOS also recommends that if you have mobility issues or use a wheelchair, make sure you determine what the hotel’s access and accommodations are for swimming pools, public facilities, restaurants, bars, bathrooms, etc.

Most important, don’t forget to learn about the currency rate of the country you are visiting. Inform your bank or credit card company that you are traveling overseas so they do not freeze your account.  Ask them if they have international banking partners where you can safely deposit or make withdraws as needed. Bring travelers check or one or two major credit cards if ATM services are not available.

Staying Connected with Family and Friends

DOS suggests that you care emergency contact information during your overseas trip. Consider completing the emergency contact section in your passport.  Give your family and friends the contact information for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the country you are visiting. Investigate to see if your cellular plans offer international calling or texting packages that you can purchase to use in case of an emergency. 

Finally, DOS notes that one way to maintain emergency contact information is to enroll with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).  By enrolling, your information will be securely stored, and this enables the DOS, U.S. embassies, or consulates to contact you, your family or friends, in an emergency.

Travel, a valuable resource for Americans 50-plus, who spend over $236 billion annually in leisure travel, provides expert travel advice, the latest news and travel insights.  AARP.org/travel has a wealth of articles available to anyone on vacation ideas, travel tips, and destinations to make travel simple. 

To view the full 2025 survey results, visit https://www.aarp.org/content/dam/aarp/research/topics/social-leisure/travel/2025-travel-trends.doi.10.26419-2fres.00882.001.pdf.

To review DOS’s Special Consideration for Older Travelers, go to https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/info-older-travelers.html.

To view the National Council on Aging’s Safety Travel Tips for Older Adults, go to https://www.ncoa.org/article/safe-travel-tips-for-older-adults/.

Surviving, even thriving, when caring for a person with Alzheimer’s

Published in RINewsToday on March 3, 2025

Last Wednesday, Colleen Kelly Mellor, author and former feature writer for the Providence Journal, captivated a crowd at the Coventry Library with a talk about her caregiving journey. In her inspiring presentation, Mellor shared how she not only survived but thrived while caring for her husband, who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease.

Mellor, 79, has had a multifaceted career—raising two daughters, teaching school for over 30 years, and working as a realtor for nine years. The prolific writer is no stranger to seeing the devastating impacts of Alzheimer’s. Her father, two brothers and two cousins died of the cognitive disease.  And for the past 15 years, she has been her husband’s primary caregiver. For 13 of those years, she single-handedly managed his care, from ensuring he attended doctor’s appointments to overseeing his medications.  

This journey led her to write her latest book, Az and Me: A Partner’s Journey with Alzheimer’s.

The 284-page book, published last May, is a must-read for America’s caregivers. “The caregiving journey was so demanding, I felt compelled to write a book about what I learned—something that could help others,” Mellor explained. “I want to make sure they don’t repeat the mistakes I made, especially when I was uninformed, like not knowing about veteran benefits.”

What is the core message of Az and Me? Mellor stresses the importance of caregivers taking care of themselves. “Caregivers need to prioritize their own well-being, just like the airlines say: put the mask on yourself first, then on your child,” she says, adding that her book provides caregivers with the tools they need to do just that.

The Caregiver Journey Begins

“You can step out of the wreckage of your life’s journey,” Mellor encourages. “Keep stepping forward—even when you don’t want to and can’t see any change for the better. It will come if you persist.”

Mellor knows firsthand what that perseverance looks like. She admits that when her partner, Paul Wesley Gates, was first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, she was unsure of what it truly meant to be a caregiver. But her message to caregivers, shared during last week’s library talk, was clear: find your footing and keep moving forward.

Mellor acknowledges that she paid the price for being uninformed. “I was one of those caregivers,” she says. Seven years ago, Mellor suffered a herniated disc and became disabled. At that time, she had no support system in place to help care for her husband, a 20-year career military veteran with Alzheimer’s. As she received medical treatment, she had to bring Paul to her appointments and medical tests because she had no support. “I prayed he’d still be sitting in the waiting room when I came out,” she recalled. During this period, Mellor had to place her husband in a care facility for a brief time. The cost? $8,000. Despite initially planning to keep him there for a month, Mellor pulled him out after just four days. The services promised to her were never delivered.

Through this experience, Mellor learned a valuable lesson: the importance of understanding available benefits. “I was paying full price for day care when I could have used my husband’s veteran benefits, which would’ve covered three of the four days,” she said. “No one—no doctor, social worker, or even facility—told me about the benefits he was entitled to,” Mellor added. “He could have stayed at a Vet-approved facility for free because of his military service, and I could have received respite care.”

For the past two years, Mellor has been visiting Paul, now 83, at the Veterans Home in Bristol. She and Paul married at her daughter’s home in East Greenwich last December so that, according to federal rules, she could be buried with her husband in Rhode Island’s Veterans Memorial Cemetery.  

A Guide for America’s Caregivers

Mellor is an advocate at heart, which is reflected in all of her self-published books. “I’m an advocate for people,” she says. In her children’s books, Grandpa and the Truck (Books 1 & 2), Mellor highlights the important role of truckers in our daily lives. In Boomerrrang, her real estate background shines through as she cautions people about buying and selling property. And in Az and Me, she champions the cause of caregivers and veterans.

Her Alzheimer’s book is easy to read, with super short chapters (just 1-2 pages). It’s meant to reach out to caregivers and share her journey, as well as provide practical tips to avoid the mistakes she made. Through her book and group presentations in Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Massachusetts, Mellor helps caregivers avoid pitfalls while navigating the demanding role of care provider.

Mellor shares snapshots of her and her husband’s life, highlighting the challenges they faced and offering practical strategies she used to cope with the stresses of caregiving. In her book, she explains how to determine eligibility for Veterans’ benefits and what those benefits cover. She also advises hiring a certified elder law attorney if needed, someone who understands the complexities of Medicaid eligibility, nursing home admissions, Medicare, Social Security, guardianship, and estate planning.

In her book, Mellor offers several practical tips for managing the challenges of caregiving. For example, when caring for someone with short-term memory loss, she suggests dressing your loved one in bright, easily visible colors. This makes it easier to spot them if they wander. She also recommends giving them a fake handbag or billfold, rather than the real deal, so you can easily access important medical documents. Mellor also shares tips on how to handle tough decisions, like when it’s time to take away the keys to the car. It’s one of the hardest decisions, she admits, but it’s necessary when it’s no longer safe for them to drive.

She advises caregivers to join an Alzheimer’s support group, choose a doctor they feel comfortable with, and divide caregiving responsibilities among family members. “A son can take Dad to his regular haircut appointment, then they can go out for lunch,” Mellor suggests.

Finally, she encourages caregivers to find moments of humor throughout the experience. “Laughter can be a lifesaver,” she says.Mellor likens her book to a box of chocolates: some pieces are sweet, others not so much—but all are essential. “There’s humor in it because my mission is to help caregivers cope and even thrive, not just survive,” she says.

In the end, Mellor sees Az and Me as a love story—one that shows how she and her husband found joy, even in the face of his debilitating disease.

To purchase Az and Me: A Partner’s Journey with Alzheimer’s ($20) or for more details about scheduling a speaking engagement, go to colleenkellymellor.com or call 401-480-3403.  

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