Tag Archives for AARP Rhode Island

New Legislative Commission to work on improving programs, services to seniors 

Published in RINewsToday on June 19, 2023

During May, designated as Older Americans Month, the Rhode Island House of Representatives approved H 5224-SUB A, sponsored by House Deputy Majority Leader Lauren H. Carson (D-District 75, Newport), creating a legislative commission to study the services and programs for 240,000 older adults in Rhode Island – and to make recommendations for ways to improve and coordinate them. The number of seniors is expected to skyrocket to almost 265,000 by 2040, constituting an increase of nearly 75% since 2010.

On May 11, 2023, over three months since the resolution was dropped in the legislative hopper, it passed by a whopping bipartisan vote of 69 to 0 (with 6 members absent). There was no opposition to H 5224- SUB A from any organization. It seems that any House lawmaker or organization opposing this resolution would also oppose “motherhood and apple pie.”

With a number of House GOP concerns addressed in the state’s $14 billion budget, House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale directed his caucus to support passage. The House Republican Caucus also unanimously voted for H5224 – SUB A, and fully supported the mission of a legislative commission which is charged with collecting and analyzing the current state of affairs in regard to Rhode Island’s growing senior population.

Carson’s resolution calls for “a collaborative study of Rhode Island’s current services, and recommendations for potential initiatives that would help residents, agencies, providers, and the government to better assist the growing population of older adults in our state achieve well-being and maximum independence in ways that value, empower and engage them,” adding that such an effort is essential to the state’s future resilience and prosperity.

According to House Communications Director Larry Berman, 21 House legislative Commissions will be operational when Carson’s legislative commission becomes operational. The House Policy Office will staff the Commission.  The number of meetings (open to the public) has not yet been determined. The meeting agenda will be determined by its Chair, with input provided by the 16 Commission members, House lawmakers, members of the public, and aging advocates. 

Because H 5224 – SUB A only creates a House legislative commission, there is no need for a companion measure to be introduced in the Senate,” says Berman who notes that this Commission will begin in the Fall of 2023. It is charged to report its findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives no later than May 7, 2024. The Commission would then expire on August 7, 2024.

Providing a Road Map to Fix Systemic Policy Flaws

“This commission will provide valuable information to the House next year to provide a roadmap for providing service and programs for older Rhode Islanders, including funding options that will be strongly considered,” stated House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi  (D-Dist. 23, Warwick), after passage of the special legislative committee.

“We have had excellent results with other commissions that have studied housing and shoreline access that have led to legislation that the General Assembly has adopted.  Representative Carson is an extremely thoughtful and dedicated legislator who will work hard with commission members to develop great plans for the future,” says Shekarchi.

“Rhode Island should invest much more than we do in services that enable people to age in place and safely remain in their communities. Those services are far more cost-efficient overall, and encourage an active, more fulfilling lifestyle for people as they age. Considering that nearly a quarter of our population is over 60, and Baby Boomers will continue to swell those ranks, now is the time,” said Carson. “This commission will take a look at the services we have, how we could improve and better coordinate them and offer them to more individuals, where the gaps and needs are, and what we need to do to better enable our population, as we grow older, to safely remain in the community and lead full lives,” she says.

The 16-member commission, all appointed by the House Speaker, will include three members of the House of Representatives, two Rhode Island residents over the age of 65, three directors from the Rhode Island Senior Center Director’s Association, a community action program director from the Rhode Island Association of Community Action Agencies, a member of the Long-Term Care Coordinating Council, and a member of a Rhode Island organization representing adults with disabilities.

In addition, the directors of the Office of Healthy Aging, the Department of Health, AARP Rhode Island, Age-Friendly RI and the Senior Agenda Coalition of RI or their designees will participate.

H 5224 – SUB A instructs the commission to study key statistics about services for older adults in Rhode Island, examining strengths, vulnerabilities, and demographic and financial statistics; assess the current state, federal and local services currently available, as well as any duplication of services; recommend ways to coordinate services within agencies and focus on better service delivery, including housing options and various living arrangements, health status and health care resources; provide recommendations for the creation of a portal to coordinate aging services in employment, education, independent living, accessibility and advocacy, as well as local older adult centers and services; provide recommendations on mental health, transportation, food access, and health care; provide recommendations for the funding of services through state, federal and private grants and for more efficient distribution and use of these dollars; and explore more regionalization of services.

Towards the Creation of a Strategic State Plan on Aging

“The newly established legislative commission to study the services and programs for our rapidly growing older population can become the launching pad for the state to move forward to create a multi-sector Strategic State Plan on Aging to coordinate Rhode Island’s programs and services for older Rhode Islanders, says Maureen Maigret chair of the Aging in Community Subcommittee of Rhode Island’s Long-Term Care Coordinating Council who also serves as a policy consultant and board member of the Senior Agenda Coalition of RI.  She notes that 10 states have already developed this “master plan” and she hopes Rhode Island will also join their ranks. 

At the Senior Agenda Coalition  of RI’s August 2022 Gubernatorial Forum, she warned that the state’s aging and long-term services were fragmented, spread across a number of state agencies, charging that these agencies often lacked stable leadership and a coherent and overarching vision. Creating a Strategic Plan on Aging builds on work being done now by the Office of Healthy Aging and Subcommittees of the Long Term Care Coordinating Council, and would be a fix for this,” says Maigret. 

According to Maigret, at the August Forum Gov. Dan McKee stated he would issue an Executive Order for initiating a Master Plan on Aging, but that has not happened. Aging advocates are still waiting for this to happen.

“We look forward to joining with older-adult focused direct service, advocacy, non-profit, and state colleagues, and older adults themselves, to discuss how Rhode Islanders want to age and what we can build collectively to make that possible, says Director Maria Cimini, of the state’s Office of Health Aging (OHA).

“At the OHA we are thrilled there is interest and a commitment of time and resources to understand and plan for our state’s aging population, from where we sit, this opportunity will equip us to advocate for policies that empower and uplift our senior population, fostering dignity, purpose, and respect for all older adults,” adds Cimini.

Don’t Forget the Rhode Island’s Poor and Minority Elders

Susan Sweet, long-time advocate for poor and disadvantaged elders and the founder of The R. I. Minority Elder Task Force which provides limited financial assistance to low-income seniors in crisis reports: “We are seeing a large uptick in elders in crisis situations lacking basic needs such as food, utilities, housing, and personal items. Minority group members, immigrants, retirees as well as general population seniors are suffering more intensely since Covid, inflation, and lack of affordable housing matters have exacerbated the existing poverty among elders. In particular, homelessness among elders is at a peak we have not seen before.”

Sweet is hopeful that this new Legislative Commission will consider and react to the particularly difficult situations that confront the poor and minority elder populations. “I have seen many plans for services to elders that either ignore or do not implement agenda items addressing these populations and I hope that this commission will prioritize the severe privations that they face on a daily basis,” she says.

“With the lessons learned over the past 2 years and the devastating impact of COVID on our older adults, it’s critical that we reexamine our aging infrastructure, the needs for services, and the local service capabilities to this growing population,” Vin Marzullo, who served 31 years as a career federal civil rights & social justice administrator at the National Service agency.

“A serious, adult conversation is long overdue with the aging community, service providers and lawmakers about designing our plan for a more “Age-Friendly” RI, – which supports local senior centers as the local hub for the delivery of services,” suggests Marzullo.

The nursing home industry supports the mission of the newly enacted legislation committee. “Included in their charge is to, among other things, provide recommendations regarding available health care services.  Rhode Island’s nursing facilities play a vital role in health care for our older adults – providing care and services to over 18,500 seniors each year.  Many of these individuals are provided with short-term skilled nursing, physical, occupational and/or speech therapy following a hospitalization – enabling them to safely transition from the acute hospital level of care back home with continued services,” says John E. Gage, President and CEO of the Rhode Island Health Care Association.

“Of course, every Rhode Islander wants to remain independent, healthy and in their home for as long as possible.  When this is no longer viable, however, our state needs a strong spectrum of care, including home care, assisted living residences and skilled nursing facilities to support them as their care needs change.  Workforce is perhaps the most daunting challenge facing these health care providers, and this will need to be a focus for years to come,” notes Gage.

H 5224 A cosponsors are Representatives Samuel A. Azzinaro (D-District 37, Westerly), Thomas E. Noret (D-District 25, West Warwick), Susan R. Donovan (D-District 69, Bristol, Portsmouth), House Majority Whip Katherine S. Kazarian (D-District, East Providence), Karen Alzate (D-District 60, Central Falls, Pawtucket), Jason Knight (D-District 67, Barrington, Warren),  and Kathleen Fogarty (D-District 35, South Kingston.

A copy of H 5224 A may be accessed here: http://webserver.rilegislature.gov/BillText/BillText23/HouseText23/H5224A.pdf.

The House Floor vote (5/11/23) – 48 minute 48 second mark may be accessed here: https://ritv.devosvideo.com/show?video=d12583542bad&apg=84a99049.

The Health & Human Services Committee heard this resolution on March 15, 2023.  See the 1hour and 50-minute hearing by going to https://ritv.devosvideo.com/show?video=e3ea82fcb949&apg=6aae3d42) 

Herb Weiss, LRI -12, is a Pawtucket-based writer who has covered aging, health care and medical issues for over 43 years.  To purchase his books, Taking Charge: Collected Stories on Aging Boldly and a sequel, compiling weekly published articles, go to herbweiss.com.

House passes legislation to encourage the construction of ADUs

Published in RINewsToday on May 29, 2023

Rhode Islanders will be able to develop accessory dwelling units (ADUs) on their property under legislation sponsored by Rep. June S. Speakman (D-District 68, Bristol/Warren) and approved by the House. When the dust settled, H 6082 Aaa was passed by a vote of 61-10.  Of the 10 who voted against, 8 were Republicans and 2 were Democrats.  

Speakman had the backing of Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi and his leadership team.  The legislation is co-sponsored by Majority Whip Katherine Kazarian (D-District 63, East Providence, Pawtucket), who is the number three ranking member in House leadership, and also by Chairman Stephen Casey (D-District 50, Woonsocket), who chairs the House Municipal Government and Housing Committee where the bill is still being considered. Speakman chairs the House Commission on Low- and Moderate-Income Housing, as well.

Other cosponsors of the ADL legislation are: Rep. Megan Cotter (D-District 39, Exeter, Richmond); Rep. Jason Knight (D-District 67, Barrington; Rep. Susan R. Donovan (D-District 69, Bristol and Portsmouth; Rep. Teresa A. Tanzi (D-District 34, Narragansett, South Kingston); Rep. Cherie Cruz (D-District 58, Pawtucket); Rep. Terri Cortvriend (D-District 72, Middletown, Portsmouth). A similar bill (2023-S 1006) has been introduced in the Senate by Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Charlestown, Westerly).

House lawmakers give thumbs up to ADUs

AARP Rhode Island’s successful efforts to enact ADL legislation last year gives more zoning flexibility to the types of structures and arrangements that would quality as ADUs.  During the 2023 legislative session, the state’s largest aging group working closely with House lawmakers, aging and housing groups to advance H 6082 Aaa to make further tweaks to allow more Rhode Islanders to make further improvements to their homes by giving them an opportunity to develop ADUs on their property.   

The ADU legislation was written in collaboration with AARP Rhode Island, for whom increasing production of ADUs has been a primary policy goal for several years.

A video on ADUs from AARP: https://www.facebook.com/AARPRI/videos/1010939269550548/

With the passage of H 6082 Aaa, part of the 14-bill housing package backed by Shekarchi to encourage housing production, the Senate begins its debate on a companion measure (S 1006), introduced by Sen. Victoria Gu (D-Dist. 38, Charlestown, Westerly).

ADUs, sometimes called “in-law apartments” and “granny flats,” are accessories to existing housing, either as a conversion of part of a house (such as with a walkout basement), an attachment to a house or a smaller, detached dwelling. They have become increasingly popular around the nation in recent years as states and municipalities grapple with expanding the existing housing stock while preserving the feel of residential neighborhoods. Seniors, especially, have taken to ADUs as a way to downsize their living space while staying independent in the community they love.

The bill would provide homeowners the right to develop an ADU within the existing footprint of their structures or on any lot larger than 20,000 square feet, provided that the design satisfies building code, size limits and infrastructure requirements.

The purpose of the bill is to encourage the development of rental units that are likely to be more affordable than many other apartments, and also provide opportunities for homeowners with extra space to generate income that helps them maintain ownership of that property.

Combatting the Housing Crisis

“For many people, especially single people and older adults, ADUs provide just enough space and could be a more affordable option than a larger, traditional apartment. For some, they might make it possible to stay in their neighborhood or near family members after downsizing from their own home, or they might be an opportunity to live in a neighborhood where apartments are scarce or are otherwise out of their price range,” said Speakman in a statement announcing the passage of H 6082 Aaa. “We need more rental units of all types in our state, and making it easier for homeowners to use their extra space in this manner is an avenue that will help develop some in relatively short order without altering anyone’s neighborhood or requiring new, expensive construction,” she said.

To ensure that the bill achieves its goal of housing Rhode Islanders, the legislation prohibits ADUs constructed under this provision from being used as short-term rentals, and streamlines the permitting process.

“Our housing crisis is very complex, and we must be creative and identify all the tools we can to create housing that makes the most of our resources. This particular bill removes some of the obstacles to building ADUs while respecting municipal land use policies.  Our commission learned that there are many people in Rhode Island who already have space that they’d like to use in this way, but our laws make it complicated. We desperately need housing, so it’s in the public’s interest to make it easier,” said Speakman. “This is a step in the right direction toward a goal that is going to require a cooperative effort across the state for years into the future,” she adds.

Speakman considers H 6082 to be a small but important part of the much broader effort that Rhode Island must adopt to encourage the development of affordable housing.

Strong support for creating ADUs

In her testimony before the House Municipal Government and Housing Committee where the bill is the being considered (before passage on the House floor), AARP Rhode Island State Director Catherine Taylor stated that passing H 6082 Aaa would be a “great step forward” to improve the existing ADU legislation and to provide municipalities with guidance on how to apply the law in their locality.

ADUs can potentially improve the lives of seniors, caregivers, and people of all ages, too, says Taylor. According to AARP Rhode Island’s November 2021 Vital Voices survey over 54% of Rhode Islanders over age 45 would consider creating an ADU if the space was available. In addition, a strong majority (84%) of Rhode Islanders aged 45 and over strongly or somewhat support town ordinances that makes it easier for property owners to create an ADU. “Allowing ADUs by right where the proposed ADU is located within the existing footprint of the primary structure or existing secondary attached or detached structure and does not expand the footprint of the structure will provide the housing options and security that Rhode Island residents are looking for,” notes Taylor.

In addition to the AARP, the bill has the support of numerous organizations and agencies, including the Rhode Island League of Cities and Towns, Rhode Island Housing, the American Planning Association Rhode Island Division, Grow Smart RI, RI Realtors, and Housing Network RI.

Although there was no opposition at the committee hearing for the legislative proposal, the House GOP caucus supports the concept, but expressed concerns about its impact on Rhode Island communities.  When the legislative proposal came to the House Floor no Republican lawmakers voted for H 6082Aaa.

GOP supports ADU concept but opposes passage as written

“While ADUs have been a fabric of housing throughout Rhode Island including the rural districts that I represent, they bring with them some concerns that should not be overlooked,” says House Minority Leader Michael Chippendale (R-District 40, Foster, Glocester).” The current proposal can be modified into an effective tool to help combat the housing shortage, but it requires input from all of our municipalities – particularly those like the ones in my remote district,” he notes.

Chippendale says that this legislative proposal currently before the Assembly isn’t inherently bad, but it needs to consider the challenges it creates for all 39 municipalities. “For example – if there is not sufficient off-street parking, which this bill severely limits, towns like Foster, Glocester, Western Coventry and others can have problems. Issues such as snow plowing an already narrow roadway, the passage of large vehicles such as fire trucks, garbage trucks and others that can be impacted by cars parking on the roads.  Further, they can represent a drain on limited resources such as drinking water when more people are being allowed to draw from an existing aquifer that may already be operating under duress. The same applies to neighborhoods that have water districts with limited water supply,” he adds. 

With Speakman’s ADU Legislation passed on the House floor, it is now time for the Senate to act and pass its companion measure.  Expanding ADUs in Rhode Island communities is sound housing policy that will provide access to much needed housing. Yes, it is the right thing to do.  

To download a copy of AARP Rhode Island’s “The ABCs of ADUs,” watch a Tutorial on ADUs and find other resources, go to: www.aarp.org/RIADU.

RI Seniors, aging advocates call for an “age friendly” budget

Published in RINewsToday on March 27, 2023

Over two months ago, Gov. Dan McKee unveiled a sweeping $13.7 billion budget for the upcoming fiscal year.  After its release, the Senior Agenda Coalition of RI (SACRI), representing 21 organizations, called this budget “unfriendly to seniors,” charging that it “short-changed” seniors.  In an e-blast that was sent to 1,800 seniors and aging advocates SACRI urged them to contact their lawmakers asking that they put more funding into the delivery of aging programs and services.  

As the House Finance Committee continues to hold hearings on bills that might ultimately be rolled into the upcoming FY 2024 Budget, last week the SACRI brought 220 seniors, aging advocates and professionals in the aging network to the Warwick Crown Plaza to personally urge House Speaker Joe Shekarchi (D-Warwick) and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio (D-Providence, North Providence to hammer out an “age-friendly” budget.

SACRI Board Chair George Neubauer began this year’s Legislative Leaders Forum by quoting President Joe Biden’s call to Congressional lawmakers at the annual State of the Union Address to maintain Medicare and Medicaid. The President urged lawmakers to “stand up for seniors”.  Setting the stage for why this event was organized, Neubauer told the packed room: “Today, we are here to speak up for ourselves.”

Painting a Portrait of Rhode Island Seniors

“Effective advocacy includes good data and good stories,” said Maureen Maigret, a SACRI Board member and policy advisor for the group setting the stage for the speakers. She presented demographic data on the state’s graying population, discussed the increased needs of state’s aging programs and services to keep people at home, and detailed SACRI’s budget policy fixes.

“We speak up for 200,000 seniors and our numbers are growing,” says Maigret, also a former State  Representative and Director of the RI Department of Elderly Affairs. By 2030, 1 in 5 Rhode Islanders will be aged 65 and over,” she says.

While many think that seniors are a drain on the economy, they are not. According to Maigret, $3 billion dollars in Social Security benefits are pumped into the state’s economy. Twenty percent of seniors are still working and paying taxes and employers are very aware that seniors have extensive job experience skills and are usually very reliable employees.

“Additionally, seniors are part of an invisible workforce of unpaid caregivers who take care of family members and friends, also,” says Maigret, noting that AARP Rhode Island recently released a study reporting that there are 121,000 unpaid caregivers, with the value of their unpaid care estimated to be $2.1 billion dollars (just under $19 per hour).

“Seniors also contribute thousands of hours of volunteer work to their local communities, lending a helpful hand to senior centers, friendly visitor programs, Meals on Wheels, and to the Village Common of RI at four Village communities and multiple other agencies,” adds Maigret.  

“An overwhelming 70% of Rhode Island seniors want to age in place and remain in their communities,” says Maigret, noting that “after age 65, 3 out of 5 of these individuals will need some support to stay in their homes.”

SACRI survey on areas of concern for seniors

With Rhode Island’s top House and Senate leadership listening, Maigret touched on the findings of a SACRI survey that identified an array of concerns expressed by their older constituents.  Health and care issues came up on the top of this list, followed by isolation and loneliness, lack of knowledge of community support services, the need for transportation, loss of mobility, high housing costs, and lack of income.

The survey findings indicate that needed information is not reaching older adults to navigate the long term care system, says Maigret. Forty percent do not know about programs and services offered by Rhode Island’s Office of Healthy Aging (OHA) and The Point, the state’s aging and disability resource center.  She noted that the Governor’s FY 2024 budget didn’t allocate any state dollars to operate The Point, whose mission is to direct seniors to needed programs and services.

“Even with Social Security, a large number of seniors have low incomes,” says Maigret, with 50% of older households living on less than $50,000 a year, another 27% living on less than $25,000. “The cost of long-term care is staggering and unaffordable with semi-private rooms in nursing facilities going for $94,900 a year,” she pointed out. “Assisted living facilities is out of reach for many, too, costing about $54,000 a year. Bringing a home care aide 40 hours per week into a person’s home costs a whopping $56,160,” she adds.

Maigret urged Shekarchi and Ruggerio to reallocate more state dollars to home care services.  While other states, on average, spend 45% of Medicaid long-term care dollars on home care, Rhode Island only spends 22% with hundreds of seniors having to wait over 3 months to get home care services.

Maigret says that SACRI supports a legislative agenda that calls on the Rhode Island General Assembly to craft a “Better Budget for Better Care,” which will result in a permanent investment to improve the care provided to seniors.  SACRI also urges that lawmakers raise direct workers pay to $20 per hour to attract workers into home care agencies and nursing facilities. To assist seniors to access needed programs and services, $500,000 must be allocated into the House budget to better market available information and referral services offered by The Point.  

“Meanwhile, SACRI also is pushing to add five new positions at the OHA, with two being assigned to its Adult Protective Services Unit to increase increased caseloads,” says Maigret.  By allocating funding to help more lower income Medicare beneficiaries pay their Medicare Part B premiums, seniors will have more money to pay their bills.     

Telling Powerful Stories

SACRI pulled together a few “real life” stories to illustrate why Rhode Island lawmakers must craft an “Age Friendly” FY 2024 Budget.

Jeanne Gattegno, working in the elder abuse sector, shared her thoughts as to why OHA’s Adult Protective Service Unit (APSU) is underfunded.  “Elder abuse is a crime and anyone suspecting abuse must report it.  When its reported it must be investigated by the APSU,” she says.

According to Gattegno, in 2021, there were over 6,200 calls to OHA, over 1,400 calls were elder abuse complaints, and 2,800 were investigated as self-neglect. “There are five workers in the APSU. Just do the math. It’s an incredibly difficult job and it’s life and death and there are not enough people to help,” warns Gattegno.

Allyson Manning, an overworked Registered Nurse at a local nursing facility, highlighted her typical day working with two Certified Nursing Assistants to take care of 26 residents.  Due to low wages, the facility can’t fill the third CNA position to assist the other two CNAs on the shift. 

Serving as Team Leader, Manning says that there is not enough time to take care of her 26 residents.  During this shift her chief responsibility is to pass medications, perform treatments and assessments.  She often finds that her primary functions as an RN are late or difficult to carry out, due to the need to assist the CNAs with their tasks of toileting, washing, dressing and feeding residents.

“We are not attracting the people we need to these [CNA] positions.  They are low paid jobs, but it is really rewarding work but it is hard work., she says.  When hired, CNA’s are not staying long, turnover is high says Manning. While initially working full-time, she now only works two days a week.  

Giving Their Thoughts…

RI Speaker of the House, Joe Shekarchi remarked that he clearly understood the very powerful stories shared by Gattegno, Manning and others. “I didn’t need to hear those stories because I live those stories every day.  When his 97-year-old father recently fell at home and broke his pelvis, he was admitted to the Bethany House.

“I see how hard they work and the limited staff they have,” says the House Speaker, understanding the labor shortage’s impact on nursing facilities. “I see when my father hits the call button and it takes a long time [to answer] not because they are slow, but because they are doing three or four things at the same time,” he says.

“It’s important that seniors have options so they can choose what’s best for them,” says Shekarchi. “We need to provide supports for seniors to age in place and remain in their homes living independently,” he added, acknowledging that it is not always easy to do.

Shekarchi also recognized his effort with the Senate President made historic investments to require minimum staffing last year. Unfortunately, it hasn’t happened because the nursing facilities are now facing labor shortages, he says. 

According to Shekarchi, last year the General Assembly also provided more funding to make home care more accessible for seniors.  Lawmakers also provided tax relief on pensions for older taxpayers and military veterans, strengthened laws to protect seniors from financial exploitation, and made it easier to apply for SNAP benefits and expanded property tax relief for seniors. He expects to continue his efforts this legislative session.

Shekarchi also reported that he has introduced a bill, supported by AARP RI, to allow zoning for constructing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) in garages or basements. He called on seniors and aging organizations to support his housing bill.

The House Speaker also discussed proposed legislation by Rep. Lauren Carson (D-District 75, Newport) proposed legislation that would create a House Study Commission to coordinate Rhode Island’s programs and services for seniors, expressing the need for such a study commission.  

Like Shekarchi, Senate President Dominick Ruggerio outlined a number of legislative successes last year.  He recognized passage of Sen. Josh Miller’s legislation authoring the creation and implementation of a pharmaceutical redistribution program. Former Sen. Cindy Coyne’s legislation became law, too, lowering the age at which a victim can be considered an elder under the state’s financial exploitation law from 65 to 60.

With the state’s growing number of seniors, Senate President Ruggerio stated that senior issues are more important than ever.

“We need to do everything we can to ensure seniors and retirees can enjoy their older years with dignity and security,” he said. “Because after a lifetime of hard work and contributing to our communities… older Rhode Islanders deserve nothing less.”

“The Senior Agenda Coalition is a powerful tool in its work.  At the Statehouse we rely on your voices to help guide us as leaders,” says Ruggerio, noting “we don’t have all the answers and appreciate your input.”

To watch SACRI’s 2023 Legislative Leaders Forum, go to  https://ritv.devosvideo.com/show?video=7cd34a907d29&apg=c7e3a6c7.