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Weiss Words: A Retrospective Look at Commencement Speech Advice

Published in RINewsToday on May 11, 2026

With the arrival of spring and college graduation season, I am returning to a personal tradition. Once again, it is time for me to pen my annual commencement-style commentary saluting the more than 12,000 graduates receiving Bachelor’s degrees in 2026 from Rhode Island’s 12 accredited colleges and universities. Through this weekly commentary, I aim to provide these seniors with a unique roadmap for achieving both personal fulfillment and professional success.

Throughout May and June, these robed graduates will hopefully listen intently to commencement addresses—typically over 12 minutes in length (around 1,400 words). The speakers, who include lawmakers, judges, media personalities, and even CEOs, offer their personal observations and advice to guide the next generation.

Some of this year’s confirmed speakers include:

·         Ashley Judd (Actress and activist) at New England Institute of Technology, May 3;

·         Matthew Slater (Former New England Patriots captain) at Providence College, May 17;

·         Marc Randolph (Netflix co-founder) at the University of Rhode Island, May 15;

·         Ray Suarez (Journalist and author) at Salve Regina University, May 17;

·         Julie Mehretu (Artist) at Rhode Island School of Design, May 30;

·         Amy C. Edmondson (Harvard Business School professor) at Bryant University, May 16;

·         Dan Barry (Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist) at CCRI, May 12.

Brown University, unlike any other Ivy League institution or Rhode Island college, designates a graduating senior as its commencement speaker rather than inviting an outside dignitary.

Reflecting on the evolution of my addresses across the years helps, I provide you with a sampling, with advice that might just be valuable for this year’s graduates.

This year’s commencement speech offers a sampling of advice from previous graduating classes, drawing on reflections from earlier addresses. Though delivered in different moments, many of the themes remain relevant today, highlighting enduring lessons on growth, resilience, and purpose that may still benefit the 2026 graduates as they move forward.

Since 2008, I have written 12 commencement commentaries designed to prepare new graduates for the road ahead. I drew on AI, Stoicism, real-life experiences, and advice from Rhode Island authors to inspire seniors.

From 2014 to 2017, I shared insights from 53 everyday Rhode Islanders in my speeches, reminding graduates that valuable lessons often come from people in their own communities, not just high-profile speakers.

These individuals were everyday Rhode Islanders whose practical advice stemmed from lived experience. The core message: real-life experience is as valuable as prestige. Here is a sampling of their observations from my speeches:

Joan Retsinas, a Providence writer, offered her thoughts to the graduating seniors in 2014.  “Savor, savor, savor.  Savor the sunshine and the rain. Savor your friends, your family, your colleagues. Nurture the people close to you. Be a friend. Fall in love. If you fall out of love, fall in love again. Read “Winnie the Pooh” to a child. Eat ice cream. Ride a bike. Swim in the ocean. Laugh. As for fame, fortune, and success, don’t fret. They don’t really matter,” she says.

Wendy Jencks, Cumberland, Visitor Center Manager at the Blackstone Valley Visitor Center, gave this advice in my 2014 commencement speech: “There may be a time in young people’s lives when they are nervous to take a risk. Don’t be afraid to take a chance. If an opportunity or life experience arises and you want it, take it, even if it is unconventional. You may not get another opportunity again.”

Your first job is not necessarily your dream job,” says Jencks, 61. “You may discover your dream career outside your field of study. Don’t confine yourself to expectations.

Listen to their advice.

Carol Conley, assistant to the executive director of the Rhode Island Film Office, stressed, “Be grateful.” Be kind. Karma is a real thing. Give to others what you would like to receive, and it will eventually come back to you. Wait for it: trust the universe’s timing. Challenge yourself. Conquer your fears. Never, ever give up.

In my 2015 commencement speech, Kathy Needham, Rumford, Controller, of Blackstone Valley Call & Times, suggested: “Follow the old adage, ‘Autograph your work with excellence, it is a signature of who you are.”  Take great pride in all you do, but always remember to be humble.”

Cheryl Babiec, Pawtucket, Pawtucket School Teacher, gave her thoughts to the graduating seniors that year. “As an old saying goes…’One Man’s Junk is Another Man’s Treasure continues to hold true over the test of time. One of my year sale finds had the following inspirational verse (though the author is unknown): Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the number of moments that take our breath away.’

Wayne Rosenberg, Providence real estate broker and construction manager, advised the graduating seniors in 2016: “Most college degrees are not going to be your ticket to financial freedom. The most important challenge you will face is finding meaningful work. You must realize that no one can do this for you but yourself. Take charge. If you cannot find employment, consider being your own boss and employ yourself.”

In 2017, Nora Hall, North Kingston, freelance writer, recommended: “Empathy may be the most important life skill you can develop. It enables you to ‘put yourself in another’s shoes’ and makes you a great leader.”

And Susan Sweet, Rumford, former associate director at the RI Dept. of Elderly Afrairs and social advocate, added: “Make your own trail and avoid the well-worn path. Find interests and passions and live them. Create purpose in your life. Do something good, something useful in your life. Contribute to the happiness and well-being of other beings. Let Death be your advisor.”

In 2018, members of the Association of Rhode Island Authors offered advice on aging gracefully in a very challenging, constantly changing world.

Victoria Corliss of Cumberland, author of three books, shared this with graduates: “Sometimes, when you think things are falling apart, they’re really just falling into place. So, in times of chaos—which will come—take a deep breath, step back, and be still; it helps you see things more clearly. Here’s another piece of advice: ‘It’s not what happens to you that matters most, but how you react to it.’ Taking things in stride is a lifelong skill.”

Throughout these speeches, seniors were urged to be adaptable in an ever-changing world. Flexibility and ongoing learning will help you weather recessions, job market shifts, or AI disruption.

Glede Browne Kabongo, author and marketing consultant living in North Attleboro, Massachusetts, gave her two cents: “If you live for the approval of others, you will die by their criticism. Take your time and figure out who you are and what you want in life. It’s OK if it takes you a while; the journey is as important as the destination. You will have many failures and make many mistakes. Don’t hide from them. It’s part of your journey. Be kind to yourself and others. Kindness is powerful and can change the world.”

Continuing this pattern, the 2022 commencement speech integrated the themes of resilience, social connection, and lifelong learning and emphasized their importance in successfully navigating your life’s path. It also reaffirmed the central idea that aging is not something to be feared, but embraced as an ongoing process of growth.

Looking ahead to 2024, my commencement speech offered advice to the graduating seniors, drawing on stoicism, a school of Hellenistic philosophy that thrived in Ancient Greece and Rome. Five quoted philosophers encourage alignment with values to find a meaningful purpose in life, maintain inner peace, and appreciate the beauty and wonders of the world.

Seneca the Younger, who lived in the 1st Century CE, said: “True happiness is to enjoy the present, without anxious dependence upon the future.” Don’t be consumed by worry and anxiety about the future obstacles you may face, because in all probability the problems will never happen,” he said.

Great advice for graduating seniors from the Roman Stoic philosopher, statesman, and playwright who lived almost 2,000 years ago.

The 2025 speech offered fresh advice: I drew on artificial intelligence and collective wisdom, referencing 64 cards with personal growth principles designed by Hypnotist John Koening. Eight cards, chosen at random, provided valuable lessons for the 2025 graduates, each of which is explored in this commentary.

Taken together, these reflections show that even as life changes, many of its core challenges and opportunities stay familiar. My hope is that something in these words speaks to you—and that you carry it with you as you move into whatever comes next.

___

A complete listing of Herb Weiss’s Commencement Speeches:

“Unlocking Life’s Lessons: A Commencement Message Drawn from the Cards,” May 19, 2025 — https://rinewstoday.com/unlocking-lifes-lessons-a-commencement-message-drawn-from-the-cards-herb-weiss/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

“Stoic Tips for the Class of 2024,” May  27, 2024 —   https://herbweiss.blog/2024/05/27/stoic-tips-for-the-class-of-2024/

“Can AI Create an Authentic’ Commencement Address?,” May 15, 2023 https://rinewstoday.com/can-ai-create-an-authentic-commencement-address-herb-weiss/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

“To the Class of 2022: Age Boldly, Enjoy Your Journey,” May 16, 2022 —  https://rinewstoday.com/to-the-class-of-2022-age-boldly-enjoy-your-journey-herb-weiss/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

“Some Tips to College Seniors,” June 2, 2019 — https://herbweiss.blog/2019/06/02/some-tips-to-college-seniors/

“Rhode Islanders Give Tips to Graduates,” May 14, 2017 —https://herbweiss.blog/2017/05/14/rhode-islanders-give-tips-to-graduates/

“Regular Folks Give Sound Advice to Class of 2016 for Future Success,” June 6, 2016 — https://herbweiss.blog/2016/06/06/regular-folks-give-sound-advice-to-class-of-2016-for-future-success/

“Sensible Advice from Seasoned Folk to the Class of 2015,” May 17, 2015 —https://www.golocalprov.com/news/weiss-sensible-advice-from-seasoned-folk-to-the-class-of-2015?utm_source=chatgpt.com2016-for-

“Regular Folks Give Advice to Graduates,” June 1, 2014 —https://www.golocalprov.com/lifestyle/Regular-Folks-Give-Advice-to-Graduates?utm_source=chatgpt.com

“Here’s My Advice to the Graduating Class of 2013,” May 31, 2013– https://herbweiss.blog/2013/05/31/heres-my-advice-to-the-graduating-class-of-2013/

“A Commencement Speech for the Graduates of 2012,” May 4, 2012 — https://herbweiss.blog/2012/05/04/a-commencement-speech-for-the-graduates-of-2012-5-2/

“Your Later Years: A Commencement Speech for Graduates of 2008,” June 13,  2008 —  Your Later Years: A Commencement Speech for the Graduates of 2008

2025: A Year on the “Age Beat” in Rhode Island

Published in RINewsToday on December 29, 2025

Throughout 2025, this “Age Beat” columnist published a weekly commentary covering an extensive list of aging, healthcare, and medical issues. During this year, this columnist followed Congressional debates inside the Beltway involving Medicare, Medicaid, reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, and Social Security, reporting on how these federal policy proposals would affect older Rhode Islanders.  During the latest legislative session of the Rhode Island General Assembly, policy debates on Smith Hill were also covered in my weekly commentaries, examining how the proposed bills or enacted laws would impact state programs and services serving Rhode Island’s growing older population.

After reviewing the latest U.S. Census Data, it becomes very clear that the state’s aging population continues to grow.  For more than twenty-five years, I have tracked and continue to follow the graying of Rhode Island’s population.  Through more than 50 articles published in 2025 in Blackstone Valley Call & times and its sister publications, RINewstoday, Senior Digest and other statewide outlets, these stories have decoded complicated public policy debates, and demographic trends to shed light as to how they affect the daily lives of older adults, their caregivers, and nonprofit organizations that serve them.   

Some might interpret my weekly reporting as a way that specifically looks at older adults as one group of people.  However, others might see them on how aging impacts our own family members and our neighbors, and how we all deal with real-life challenges as we get older.

 Themes from Past Year’s Coverage

 Over the past year, several themes have become clear:  the economics of growing older and financially surviving retirement; staying safe from increasing sophisticated scams, public health issues surrounding loneliness and food insecurity; limited public transportation, finding a primary care physician, and managing multiple chronic illnesses.  Many of these commentaries also looked closely at state and federal policies that led to cuts in Medicare and Medicaid; the pressure points placed on Rhode Island’s safety net; and the ongoing policy questions the Rhode Island General Assembly is asking about how to help older adults stay independent at home—not just to live  longer, but live better.

You learn very quickly that national policy debates don’t go the same way here,, if you’ve lived in the Ocean State for a while.  A change in federal requirements of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) or changing eligibility requirements and cuts to Medicaid funding are not distant Washington stories reported by the Washington Post or New York Times especially if they affect food, meal deliveries and health care provided in Providence, Pawtucket, Woonsocket, or Westerly. A change in Medicare drug pricing is not an abstract concept if it determines whether your older neighbor can fill a lifesaving prescription—or whether your spouse’s non-drug compliance stretches pills just to make them last.

 Many of these articles were tied to timely triggers—AARP reports detailing findings of national surveys and polls, a Senate Aging Committee or Congressional hearing putting a spotlight on an aging issue, a proposed legislative proposal being considered by Congress or the Rhode Island General Assembly. But the reporting doesn’t just give a concise summary of a policy issue. The point of these commentaries is to shed light on the issues by asking: “So what does this mean for older Rhode Islanders?” Where are the funding gaps?”  “Who is being left out?  “What can be done now while larger reforms slowly grind their way forward, only to be enacted years later?”

 Many of the commentaries published this year focused on out-of- pocket costs that increase with one’s aging —especially skyrocketing medical expenses. Even when Medicare covers a significant portion of one’s care, many older adults still face overwhelming costs, from premiums and co-pays to dental and vision needs, to uncovered services and especially costly prescription drugs and nursing home care.  The reporting also examined pending questions about Medicare’s financial future, including whether the program will be able to pay beneficiaries full benefits beyond 2033, or face potential benefit cuts.  Even the Washington, DC-based National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare’s call for expanding the retirement program, along with raising the cap to enable Social Security to pay its bills made it into these commentaries.

 Another common theme in this year’s published commentaries is the recognition that aging affects not only our bodies and wallets, but also our emotions and relationships as well. The past year’s reporting on the role of loneliness and isolation serves as a reminder of how harmful they can be, especially when they lead to worse health outcomes.  In these writings, the goal is not to romanticize “community” but to show how social connection and networks in a “community” can be a good way to improve one’s health.

 The commentaries on loneliness do not regard the negative emotional response as a personal deficiency but rather as a significant policy concern influenced by the persistent scarcity of affordable housing, inadequate public transportation, mobility limitations, the loss of spouses and friends, and communities designed around the use of cars rather than their pedestrian walkability or accessibility.  How we view this matters because it is the framing that shifts the discussion away from “Why don’t older adults get out more?” to “What community barriers make connections harder to make—and what public supports are needed to make community connections possible?”

 Taking a New Look at Being Age-Friendly

The commentary on “age-friendly” thinking shows how Rhode Island’s 39 cities and towns can change their programs, services, and public spaces to keep older adults engaged in their community instead of primarily isolated. The announcement that the City of Pawtucket had joined Newport, Cranston, Providence, Westerly, and Bristol to become one of Rhode Island’s Age-Friendly Network Communities is an example.  We hope to report on more communities doing the same.

Over the past year, coverage of food insecurity, and a profile on the Meals on Wheels of Rhode Island, have helped to answer bigger policy questions:  What happens when demand goes up but and payments don’t? How do people get on waiting lists?  “What does “service disruption” mean for someone living at home? And how much does it cost—both in money and in people, when these programs have to be cut back?

One of the most important things we’ve reported on this year is consumer protection, especially when it comes to scams that target older people, because they are often the ones that more easily fall for scams because they have savings and are concerned about them, aren’t as familiar with digital manipulation, or have cognitive impairment.  There are many reasons why this topic is important right now, especially with new technology being used to spread scams.  And the Rhode Island General Assembly has been quick to act.  One commentary informed readers that Rhode Island has passed a new law to crack down on Crypto ATM fraud, making it the 12th state to do so.

 The best reporting on scams doesn’t just explain the tricks and why people fall for them – it also keeps the reader updated as to how scams keep changing.  Plus, it gives you practical tips as to how to avoid them, like pausing before you respond, double-checking what you’re told, and turning to someone you trust if something feels off, verifying, and seeking trusted help before acting. I wrote about these tips in great detail.

These consumer protection commentaries didn’t blame the victims, rather by framing scams as a systemic program caused by new technology and weak verification standards. And it makes this point clear.  Scams are not just seen as financial crimes; they can also cause shame, isolation, and stress that can harm your health.

 Caregiving is also another common topic in this year’s published commentaries. Aging advocates will tell you that caregivers are the hidden backbone of providing care to those in need.  They will tell you that family members, friends, and neighbors help out in ways that would otherwise need paid services or institutional care.  An AARP report says that about 121,000 in Rhode Islanders provided unpaid care to others in 2021 – estimated to be valued monetarily at over $2.1 billion.

 These commentaries on caregiving don’t talk about it in terms of sentiment, but in terms of policy, taking a look at time costs, impact on jobs, burnout, and the lack of enough respite support. The reporting also helps to shed light on common caregiver stress, and that needing help is not a personal failure but a normal result of  demographics and underfunded state programs and services.

When National Policy Hits Close to Home

In Rhode Island, where community-based services are important  to “aging in place,” the weekly coverage has helped readers to understand the whole long-term care continuum—from home care to day care to senior centers to assisted living to nursing home care, if needed.

 At best, access to health care is uneven; transportation is a barrier to many; affordable, accessible housing is limited; and the Medicaid-funded workforce that helps people stay at home is overworked and underpaid.  Older adults are dealing with rising costs for food, utilities, and rent or home upkeep, as well as the effects of inflation.

 Although many of this year’s commentaries put the spotlight on policy issues that need to be fixed, they also provide state policy makers ideas to solve these issues.  These are advocacy groups age-friendly planning; stronger protections for consumers; smarter use of technology; and increased state funding that treats community-based supports as cost-effective interventions rather than optional add-ons.

Looking back at 2024, sharing some favorites

Published in RINewsToday on January 7, 2025

Like many national news organizations, RINewsToday, The Pawtucket Times and Woonsocket Call (now combined into one newspaper called the Blackstone Valley Call & Times), offers its readers an ‘age beat’ editorial commentary, covering a myriad of aging issues, Congress (including Social Security and Medicare) retirement, the long-term care continuum, consumer issues, spirituality, pop culture, health care and even economics. Throughout these years

I’ve covered these issues as they relate to older Rhode Islanders, also covering Smith Hill, when there are state policy debates on issues that will impact older Rhode Islanders.

As a Rhode Island ‘age beat’ journalist for over 45 years, I have penned over 1,000 stories covering issues of interest to our readers. These authored and coauthored pieces have appeared in national, state and trade publications.

For many of these editorial commentaries, I have consistently drawn on the invaluable research produced by the Washington, DC-based AARP. Their insightful reports, polls, and studies have provided a wealth of information that has deepened public understanding of the challenges and opportunities of aging. I’ve also drawn on the expertise of professionals in the Rhode Island aging network for their perspective and comments on these topics, giving the editorial a good, local slant, where possible.

In 2024, my commentaries have appeared weekly in daily news outlets, also in other media outlets including RINewsToday – that’s about 52 articles a year – over quite a few years now! I’ve written for digital news publications, Senior Digest, a monthly publication for those over age 50, the Narragansett Times, Kent County Daily, Cranston Herald, Warwick Beacon and the Johnston Sun who have picked up stories, and of course, my own blog.

As we celebrate the New Year and look forward to 2025, looking back, I have selected my top five favorite commentaries published in 2024. Specifically:

“Stoic Tips for the Class of 2024,” May 27, 2024.

Generally, thousands of commencement speeches occur annually at university and colleges in the U.S. The common themes of these speakers (traditionally 10 minutes in length, up to 2,500 words) that typically emerge in their speeches in 2024 were: resilience and overcoming challenges; embracing change and innovation; social responsibility and making a difference; the power of community and collaboration; and personal growth and lifelong learning; mental health and well-being and finally embracing diversity and inclusion.

Over the years, never being invited to give a commencement speech, I have traditionally penned my own. So, in 2024, advice was giving to graduating seniors, pulling from stoicism, a school of Hellenistic philosophy that thrived in Ancient Greece and Rome. Advice came from: Epictetus, a former slave in Hierapolis (modern-day Turkey) around 50 CE; Seneca the Younger, who lived in the 1st century CE; Stoic Philosopher Marcus Aurelius, a Roman Emperor who ruled from 161 to 180 CE; and Stoic Greek philosopher, Heraclitus.

Graduating seniors were advised to remember the teachings of Stoic philosophy that would offer them a timeless roadmap for living a life of purpose, meaning, and fulfillment.

“Congressman Magaziner Takes Baton on Bring Back House Aging Committee,” March 4, 2024

Over 30 years ago, the US House Democratic leadership’s belt-tightening efforts to save $1.5 million resulted in the termination of the House Permanent Select Committee on Aging. This commentary announced Cong. Seth Magaziner (RI-2) legislative attempt to bring back the House Select Committee on Aging (HSCoA) when he picked up the baton from former Cong. David Cicilline who sought to bring it back during the 114th-117th Congresses.

The Commentary announced that Cong. Seth Magaziner’s introduction of H. Res. 1029, on Feb. 23, 2024, (cosponsored by Cong. Gabe Amo (RI-1) and 27 House Democratic lawmakers) to reestablish the HSCoA. It was referred to the House Committee on Rules for mark-up, (which never occurred) and the legislative resolution died at the conclusion of the 118th Congress.

According to the commentary, every day 12,000 Americans turn 60. By 2030, nearly 75 million people in the U.S. — or 20% of the country — will be age 65 or older. With the graying of our nation, the need for support and services provided under programs like Social Security, SSI, Medicare, Medicaid and the Older Americans Act increases.

Magaziner’s 213-word resolution would have authorized the HSCoA to study the use of all practicable means and methods of encouraging the development of public and private programs and policies which will assist seniors in taking a full part in national life and which will encourage the utilization of the knowledge, skills, special aptitudes, and abilities of seniors to contribute to a better quality of life for all Americans.

Finally, the House Resolution would also allow the HSCoA to develop policies that would encourage the coordination of both governmental and private programs designed to deal with problems of aging and to review any recommendations made by the President or by the White House Conference on aging in relation to programs or policies affecting seniors.

Hopefully, we will see Magaziner continue his attempt to bring back the HSCoA by reintroducing a new resolution during this new Congress. With his

“If You Want a Friend in Washington, Get a Furry Friend,” Aug. 5, 2024.

With an increasing number of adults reporting a decrease in the number of close friends, the old adage, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog,” might also be applicable outside the Beltway, even in the Ocean State. This companionship can also boost your physical and mental health. Your furry friends’ capacity for unconditional love enables them to share our lives’ highs and lows.

This commentary stressed the powerful bond of owning a pet and how the relationship offers mental and emotion support to their owners.

According to the findings of an American Psychiatric Association (APA) Healthy Minds Monthly poll released jointly with the American Veterinary Medical Association, among the many mental health benefits of pets, nearly two-thirds of pet owners say that their animals offer companionship (65%), are a true friend (65%) and provide unconditional love and support (64%), the survey finds. Eighty-four percent of pet owners say that their pets have a mostly positive impact on their mental health, similar to the findings of last year’s polling on the same topic. The poll was of 2,200 adults, done by Morning Consult.

Furthermore, the survey’s findings indicated 62 percent of the survey’s respondents say that pets provide a calming presence and also help reduce their stress and anxiety. Thirty-five percent note that their pet encourages them to be more physically active, too. The findings note that owning a pet adds structure to a respondent’s schedule and can even increase social connections with others (19%).

Yes, in Washington or outside the Beltway, if you want a friend, get a dog (or even a cat, bird or hamster). Pets can become a protective buffer against physical and mental disorders and life stressors.

“Someone’s Trash is a Military Family’s Treasure: Ours,” June 3, 2024.

This commentary, in the Blackstone Valley Call & Times, highlighted my efforts to retrieve a military footlocker that belonged to my father, after being notified that a Detroit couple, Michael Shannon and his girlfriend Cetaura Bell, found it cast away on a sidewalk for anyone to claim. The trunk had sat in a vacant garage for over 60 years (with the owner having no relations with the owner Lt. Frank M. Weiss). The couple went out of their way to try and finally successfully track me down thru an internet search.

My story was picked up by RINewsToday, and then in several local papers. The Detroit Free Press, a Gannet publication also did a story, in both their digital and print editions, and then other Gannet papers, including the Providence Journal, the Cincinnati paper and the Indy Star. Perhaps the biggest connection, though, was made with Stars & Stripes – the US military’s independent news source with a circulation of over 1 million readers.

“Shortage of direct care professionals a local and national concern,” April 22, 2024

Over 23 years ago, commentaries in the Pawtucket Times that I wrote reported on the crisis of a direct care staffing shortage and inadequate reimbursement being paid to nursing facilities to care for Rhode Island’s frail seniors. As we enter 2025, NOTHING has changed and these staffing and reimbursement issues still continue to exit.

The commentary took a look at a U.S. Special Committee on Aging hearing, chaired by Chairman Bob Casey, (D-PA), showcasing S. 4120, legislation that he introduced with U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Tammy Baldwin (D-WI). The Long-Term Care Workforce Support Act, introduced during the 118thCongress,would ensure that direct care professionals have a sustainable, lifelong career by providing substantial new funding to support these workers in every part of the long-term care industry, from nursing homes to home care, to assisted living facilities.

The Senate Aging Committee hearing revealed a number of statistical findings showing the need for Congress to address the nation’s severe ongoing direct care professional workforce shortage. It was noted that a recently released survey revealed 92% of nursing facility respondents and nearly 70% of assisted living facilities reported significant or severe workforce shortages.

The April 16th hearing entitled, “The Long-Term Care Workforce: Addressing Shortages and Improving the Profession,” examined the challenges currently facing long-term care workers who are often underpaid and overworked, leading to widespread worker shortages that threaten the availability of care for those who need it.

“It’s a crisis that stems largely from a lack of support for and investment in our care giving workforce,” warned Casey in his opening statement. “Between 50 to over 90 percent of long-term care settings and providers report significant staffing shortages, affecting their ability to provide services, accept new clients, or even to remain open,” he said, with witnesses providing personal testimony about this policy issue.

John E. Gage, MBA, NHA, President & CEO, of the Rhode Island Health Care Association (RIHCA), Maureen Maigret, policy advisory of the Senior Agenda of RI (SACRI), offered their views of the nation’s severe ongoing direct care professional workforce shortage citing Rhode Island specific examples.

In conclusion…

I extend my heartfelt thanks to the thousands of individuals I have interviewed over these 45 years. Their comments reflecting insights and observations about aging, health care, and medical issues, have profoundly enriched these commentaries.

To review all my 53 commentaries that appeared in 2024 (including the above cited), go to http://www.herbweiss.blog.