Tag Archives for Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter

Marianne Raimondo Joins CCRI Leadership, Building on RIC Legacy

Published in RINewsToday on February 23, 2026

On February 6, Rhode Island College’s (RIC) business dean gathered with three dozen colleagues, family members, and friends at The Village at Waterman Lake, for a farewell celebration marking the close of one chapter and the beginning of another

In a LinkedIn post, Marianne Raimondo, MS, MSW, LICSW, Ph.D., reflected on that evening, recalling the shared memories, warm embraces, and heartfelt goodbyes.

She announced, “On Monday, I embark on a new journey as Vice President of Academic Affairs at the Community College of Rhode Island (CCRI). I am excited to work with the CCRI team and continue to serve the students of our state, offering an outstanding educational experience and a bright future.”

Her message signaled both a fond farewell to RIC and the start of an exciting new phase in her academic career.

Taking on a New Leadership Role

After more than 12 years at the Providence-based college, Raimondo leaves RIC, which enrolls more than 6,500 students, to join CCRI, a community college with enrollment close to 13,000 across 4 campuses in degree and certificate programs, and an additional 8,500 students in workforce and adult education courses.

As CCRI’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Raimondo will serve as the college’s chief academic officer, collaborating closely with academic deans, administrators, and faculty to oversee educational programs, ensure instructional quality, and advance the college’s strategic and academic master plans.

Just a week into her new role which began Feb. 9, Raimondo has outlined an action-oriented vision for CCRI. When asked how she plans to support student success at the large, multi-campus college, Raimondo said, “I believe in the joy of learning, and we will ensure our teaching is inspiring, motivating, and engaging, fostering a desire for lifelong learning.”

Recognizing that access remains a challenge, she called for programs that better fit students’ schedules, including high-quality online offerings and flexible scheduling. She also emphasized experiential, project-based learning to equip students with real-world skills.

“Higher education must align with the state’s workforce and economic needs to provide students with viable career paths,” Raimondo said, pointing to a growing demand for skills in the areas such as artificial intelligence and the need to design programs responsive to employer needs.

Raimondo also sees an opportunity to integrate her advocacy for older adults into her professional role by creating internships and shaping curriculum around age-related issues.

CCRI’s new chief academic officer stressed her commitment to closing equity gaps to ensure all students have access to education and sustainable career pathways.

“Caring for, supporting, and advocating for older adults remains a passion of mine,” said Raimondo. The commitment is personal as well as professional: she recalled growing up with her grandfather, who lived with her family for more than 20 years. When her grandmother passed away, she said, there was never any question that he would move in with them.

As a medical social worker, she later saw too many older adults without family support, living alone, or lacking the resources they needed to age in place.

“I truly believe the later years of life should be respected and honored, and that older adults deserve the support they need to live well,” she adds.

Asked whether she will continue her advocacy work, Raimondo says she hopes to remain engaged through board service and community initiatives that support older Rhode Islanders.

Leaving a Legacy at RIC

A Greenville resident, Raimondo started her job at RIC as an associate professor, teaching both undergraduate and graduate courses in healthcare management and policy. She was then named dean of the businesss school and served as executive director of the Institute for Education in Healthcare, which she started in 2016.  She oversaw RIC’s Institute of Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies, which opened in the fall of 2023.

Throughout her leadership roles, Raimondo worked to modernize curricula, create career ladders and apprenticeship programs for healthcare workers, increase opportunities for expand experiential learning, and build strategic alliances that made it easier for students to get what they needed.

A licensed clinical social worker, Raimondo holds a Ph.D. in Public Health with a concentration in Health Policy and Management and a Master of Science in Public Health from UMass Amherst. She earned a Master of Social Work from RIC and a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Providence College.

Over the course of her career, she has focused on improving healthcare quality and services for older Rhode Islanders, with particular emphasis on quality management, systems redesign, leadership development, and patient satisfaction.

Before joining RIC, Raimondo served as vice president at Applied Management Systems, a healthcare management consulting firm specializing in quality management, systems redesign, and leadership development. Earlier, she was senior vice president at the Hospital Association of Rhode Island.

Bringing Home the Bacon

A prolific grant writer, Raimondo secured substantial funding to address health workforce development, aging services, and behavioral health integration. Around 2016, as principal investigator, she was awarded a RealJobs Rhode Island Healthcare Workforce Grant to strengthen and expand the state’s healthcare workforce. During that year, she also established RIC’s Institute for Education in Healthcare (IEH), securing more than $8.8 million in grants to train healthcare professionals in dementia care, aging services, and case management.

In 2017, Raimondo obtained a $121,000 grant from the Point32 Health Foundation to study service gaps affecting older adults living in the community. This funding ultimately led to the development of a strategic plan to build an Age-Friendly Rhode Island.

In late 2019, a $360,000 three-year grant was awarded to expand statewide aging collaborations.

This was followed in 2022 by a $330,000 general operating grant for the 2023–2025 period to address community priorities for older adults.

In February 2026, the Point32 Health Foundation awarded an additional $55,000 to RIC. This latest funding supports technical assistance and strategic leadership, ensuring the initiative continues its equity-focused systems change as the previous multi-year cycle concludes.

Through Raimondo’s efforts, these investments established the College as a permanent regional hub for aging advocacy. As principal investigator, she co-led a statewide coalition to implement strategies supporting older residents who wish to age in place.

In 2021, serving as executive director and principal investigator, Raimondo received a $2.3 million Behavioral Health Care Managers Workforce Pipeline grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). The grant enabled RIC to create a statewide apprenticeship program to train behavioral healthcare managers in partnership with healthcare centers, providing students with hands-on experience and stipends.

In 2022, she was awarded funding through the Alzheimer’s and Dementia-Related Diseases Partnership to strengthen dementia care education and healthcare systems. That same year, Raimondo secured a $2.7 million HRSA Community Health Worker Training grant to expand Rhode Island’s public health workforce by recruiting and training new and existing community health workers.

In 2024, she received a $712,734 Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training Program for Paraprofessionals grant to enhance behavioral health competencies among paraprofessionals and strengthen workforce pathways for entry-level healthcare workers.

Raimondo also served as principal investigator for quality management initiatives under the HIV Ryan White Program, RI EOHHS/Medicaid, Housing Plus, and the Rhode Island Foundation, among others.

Leadership in the Aging Network

Along with birthing Age-Friendly Rhode Island, Raimondo is widely recognized for her leadership in Rhode Island’s aging network. She co-developed the Senior Fellows Program in partnership with Leadership Rhode Island, empowering older adults to serve as informed community advocates.

She also serves on the boards of several aging-focused organizations, including the PACE Organization of Rhode Island and Tockwotton on the Waterfront.

In Aug. 2023, Raimondo received the Providence Business News’ Leaders & Achievers award.

One year later, she would be recognized as Social Worker of the Year – Aging by the Rhode Island Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

That year, she was also honored as a “Game Changer” at the 2024 Bad*ss Woman of the Year Awards, presented by the Women’s Business Council of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce, recognizing her exemplary leadership and significant contributions to her field.

Her advocacy also earned her recognition the following year.

In Nov. 2025, Raimondo accepted the Meritorious Program Award from the Rhode Island Public Health Association on behalf of Age-Friendly Rhode Island for its impact on the state’s aging population.

In that same year, Raimondo’s Institute for Education in Healthcare received the Career Pathways Advancement Awards from the Governor’s Workforce Board for its behavioral training programs.

As Raimondo begins her new role at CCRI, her record of innovation, collaboration, and commitment to workforce development and advocacy for older Rhode Islanders positions to shape the next chapter of academic excellence in Rhode Island’s public higher education system.

Raimondo’s Lasting Impact on RIC and Aging Programs

Here are some thoughts from RIC colleagues and aging organizations who worked with Marianne Raimondo and witnessed her leadership and accomplishments firsthand. She has made a significant and lasting impact on programming and on enhancing the quality of life for older Rhode Islanders.

“Dr. Raimondo’s contributions have been monumental. Her trailblazing approach combined academic analysis with ‘boots-on-the-ground’ action. Marianne moved students beyond the classroom to create pioneering programs that strengthened the workforce, developed a practical knowledge base, and empowered the aging community with new tools and resources. SACRI wishes her the very best at CCRI, and we look forward to our continued collaboration.”

— Carol Anne Costa, Executive Director of SACRI, the state’s premier advocacy, policy, and organizing nonprofit dedicated to Rhode Island’s older adults and adults with disabilities.

“I have been privileged to serve for many years alongside Marianne on the LTCCC and the RI Alzheimer’s Advisory Council. She consistently brings an open, inquisitive mind, a firm grasp of what is required, and a passion for our shared mission.”

— Dr. Chris Gadbois, Secretary of the state’s Long-Term Care Coordinating Council and Chair of the RI Alzheimer’s Advisory Council.

“Dr. Marianne Raimondo’s contributions to Rhode Island College have been remarkable, as has her leadership in advancing programs focused on older adults. I remember working closely with her as she built the Age-Friendly RI program, which continues to flourish. Her energy and enthusiasm were contagious and inspired all of us who worked with her. CCRI will surely benefit from her vast academic experience, especially in workforce development. I wish her great success in her new role and hope our paths continue to cross.”

— Maureen Maigret, RN, BS, MPA, Aging Policy Consultant and former Director of the Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs.

“For many years, my team and I have worked hand in hand with Marianne Raimondo on numerous workforce initiatives. We are grateful for her ongoing partnership and look forward to connecting with her in her new role at CCRI.”

— Rick Brooks, Director of Health Workforce Transformation at the Executive Office of Health and Human Services.

“Marianne has served on the PACE Board of Directors since 2019. Her enthusiasm for our model of care is evident—whether she is engaging deeply in strategic conversations, buying and delivering personal care items to our participants, referring student interns to PACE, or recruiting new board members. Marianne asks about quality of care and participant satisfaction at board meetings; she ensures participants remain at the center of board-level discussions. Not everyone advocates for older adults—Marianne is a dedicated and caring champion for those who are often forgotten. We are lucky to have her on our board.”
— Joan Kwiatkowski, CEO, PACE-RI.

“Marianne has been an advocate and leader in expanding training opportunities to educate the direct care workforce supporting individuals living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. We look forward to continuing to work with her in this new role to ensure those entering the dementia care field are prepared to serve the needs of the aging community.”

— Margaret Murphy, Senior Program Manager, Alzheimer’s Association, Rhode Island Chapter.

“Since 2016, Dr. Marianne Raimondo has been an indispensable force in advancing the mission and quality of service at Tockwotton on the Waterfront, a local senior living community. As Board Chair, her remarkable impact on our organization and the lives of those we serve is evident. Dr. Raimondo’s leadership has been defined by a tireless commitment to culture change and to elevating the quality of care for our residents. Her oversight and insight have directly led to significant improvements in our operational efficiency and measurable resident outcomes.”
— Chris McGee, Executive Director, Tockwotton on the Waterfront.

“Over the last several years, Meals on Wheels of RI (MOWRI) has expanded our work in the Food is Medicine space, and Marianne’s partnership was integral in developing our service to individuals living with HIV/AIDS and simultaneously experiencing food insecurity. Her collaboration in this effort—now in its second year of implementation, the project has served 2,270 meals—is just one example of her ability to make innovative connections in the healthcare space.”

— Meghan Grady, MOWRI’s Executive Director

“Marianne has long been a steadfast advocate for older adults and for improving the systems that support them. She’s a great strategic thinker, but what I’ve always appreciated is that she never hesitates to roll up her sleeves and do the work. I look forward to seeing how she continues to champion this cause at CCRI.”

— Kyle Penrod, M.S., Project Director, Institute for Education in Healthcare

“Marianne Raimondo is a true leader. I had the pleasure of working beside her for eight years and came to appreciate the seamless way she wove compassion, innovation, and intelligence into her work as a leader and into workforce development efforts in aging and healthcare. Marianne leads by example with determination and dedication.”

 —  Tonya Glantz, MSW, PhD., Executive Director, RIC’s Institute for Education in Healthcare

“Marianne Raimondo has left the healthy aging space far better than she found it when she established Age-Friendly Rhode Island in 2016. Over the past decade, she has deeply impacted older Rhode Islanders through collaborations with more than 60 organizations, driving meaningful change in healthcare workforce transformation, older adult mental health, and so much more. Because of her devotion to aging Rhode Islanders, our most marginalized older neighbors are being fed, transported to medical appointments, receiving better health care, and are more engaged in their communities.”

—  Jim Connell, Executive Director, Age-Friendly RI

“Marianne Raimondo has long demonstrated a deep and authentic commitment to improving the lives of older Rhode Islanders. During her time at Rhode Island College, she strengthened the connection between higher education and the aging network in ways that were both practical and lasting. Her leadership helped elevate programming that recognized older adults not simply as recipients of services, but as active participants in community life, learning, and contribution.”

— Maria E Cimini, MSW, Director, The Rhode Island office of Healthy Aging

“Marianne’s work has brought the Age Friendly philosophy to Rhode Island, developed critical healthcare workforce training in the areas of dementia, older adult behavioral health and addictions. Her forward-thinking guidance as the Dean of RIC’s Institute of Cybersecurity and Emerging Technologies has enabled my own organization to think through the development of new technologies.  Her depth of knowledge and understanding of the issues older adults face, paired with her caring heart, has created lasting positive change for all Rhode Islanders.”

— Deb Burton, Executive & Gerontologist, RI Elder Info

“As a Rhode Island College alumna, I have been immeasurably proud of everything that Dr. Marianne Raimondo has done to lead at RIC strengthen our state’s health care education and to provide entryways and opportunities for Rhode Islanders who want to enter the health care workforce. As a co-founder of Age-Friendly Rhode Island, she has helped combat ageism and pushed our state to better serve older Rhode Islanders. She brings a vast wealth of knowledge to her new role at CCRI, and I am excited to see both how she continues her longstanding commitment to the aging community and what new projects she takes on.”

— Lt. Governor Sabina Matos 

“Marianne Raimondo is one of the State’s strongest champions for those who may not always be able to advocate for themselves.  I have observed firsthand of her ability to foster change in an impactful way.  She has a great gift of listening to those of us in the trenches to bring the most current concerns and issues facing older adults to platforms that really matter.  The work she has done with providing students with hands on training and opportunities in a variety of areas of healthcare has had a ripple effect that will be felt for years to come.  I am grateful to Marianne for planting the seeds for RI cities and towns to look at aging through a broader lens to provide opportunities for our residents to age in place with all the supports they need.”

— Marylou Moran, Director, Leon A. Mathieu/Pawtucket Division of Senior Services

National Family Caregivers Month: State-by-State Roadmap on Assisting Caregivers

Published in RINewsToday on November 3, 2025

Over three months ago, AARP and the National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC) released Caregiving in the US. 2025, warning of a major crisis facing America’s 63 million caregivers. The 133-page report, released on July 23, noted a 45% increase in the number of caregivers over the past decade and concluded that caregivers are at a “crisis point.”

The first Caregiving in the US report, released in 1997 by AARP and NAC, is widely regarded as one of the most authoritative data sources on family caregiving in America. Subsequent editions followed in 2004, 2009, 2015, 2020, and now 2025—each providing updated information on caregiver demographics and the evolving realities of caregiving in America.

A First-of-its-Kind State-by-State Data Analysis

Building on the national Caregiving in the US 2025 report, AARP and NAC recently unveiled a first-of-its-kind state-by-state caregiving data analysis. The 248-page report reveals how much local factors—down to your community or ZIP code—shape the caregiving experience, exposing deep financial and emotional challenges confronting millions of family caregivers.

Researchers found that state policy choices make a measurable difference: states offering stronger supports such as paid leave, respite care, and health system integration report far better outcomes for caregivers.

Rhode Island was among 19 states without sufficient sample sizes to support detailed analysis beyond prevalence and the estimated number of caregivers. For these states, only those metrics were included.

According to AARP and NAC, the report identifies a consistent pattern: states with the highest caregiving prevalence often have the fewest supports. Geography, policy, and community resources together determine whether families can manage care—or collapse under its weight.

The takeaway: where you live often determines whether you get relief or reach a breaking point.

With 63 million family caregivers nationwide—nearly one in four adults—the report underscores the urgent need for coordinated policy solutions at both the federal and state levels.

“Caregivers are the invisible backbone of our broken long-term care system and economy, and too many are paying the price out of their own pockets—risking financial security by taking on debt, using up savings, and leaving bills unpaid,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP’s Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer, in an Oct. 28 statement announcing the report. “This new data offers the clearest picture yet of America’s caregivers and a roadmap for the change they urgently need.”

AARP is urging Congress and state legislatures to adopt commonsense policies that help caregivers save time and money—and get the support they need.

“These state-by-state disparities expose how policy choices determine whether families thrive or collapse under caregiving responsibilities,” said Jason Resendez, President and CEO of NAC. “When financial strain hits 59% of family caregivers in Georgia compared to just 34% in Minnesota—meaning where you live can double your risk of economic hardship—it’s clear that patchwork state solutions aren’t enough.”

Rhode Island Specifics

Ahead of National Family Caregivers Month, AARP Rhode Island released its state-level caregiving data. The findings show that 23%—approximately 206,000 Rhode Island adults—provide largely unpaid care to parents, older spouses, and other loved ones. The data underscores the urgent need for legislative action to better support these caregivers.

“When a loved one needs help, family members, friends, and neighbors step up—that’s what we do,” said Catherine Taylor, AARP Rhode Island State Director. “But too often, caregivers carry this responsibility alone, putting their finances, health, and jobs at risk. As our state ages, the demand for care will only grow. With this new data and ahead of the 2026 legislative session, AARP Rhode Island is urging policymakers at every level to act now.”

AARP Rhode Island estimates that family caregivers provide $2.1 billion in unpaid care each year, enabling loved ones to remain at home and in their communities—where they want to be. Caregivers routinely handle a wide range of tasks, from bathing and meal preparation to managing medications and medical procedures, often without formal training.

Key Rhode Island caregiving statistics:

·         99% assist with instrumental activities of daily living (meal prep, administering medicine, managing finances)

·         65% assist with personal care (bathing, dressing, feeding)

·         55% perform medical or nursing tasks

·         40% provide high-intensity caregiving (many hours and complex care)

·         19% deliver at least 40 hours of care per week

The personal toll is significant:

·         80% of caregivers use their own money to meet their loved ones’ needs—averaging $7,200 annually, or 25% of their income

·         44% report financial setbacks, including debt, depleted savings, or difficulty affording food and medicine

·         70% juggle full or part-time jobs, with many reducing hours or leaving the workforce—jeopardizing their long-term financial security

A Call to Action

A dysfunctional Congress and state legislatures must directly confront the skyrocketing number of caregivers in America.

AARP and NAC along with the Alzheimer’s Association are calling on policymakers to strengthen financial supports—starting with federal legislation such as the Credit for Caring Act, which would provide a tax credit of up to $5,000 for working caregivers, and the Lowering Costs for Caregivers Act, which would expand flexible spending and health savings account uses.

States can also act by ensuring Medicaid home- and community-based care options are accessible, allowing caregivers to earn compensation, integrating caregiver recognition and training into the health care system, and adopting best practices from top-performing states.

In Rhode Island, advocacy groups including AARP, the Senior Agenda Coalition of RI (SACRI), and the Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter have made significant progress. Rhode Island’s Temporary Caregiver Insurance (TCI) program—now offering eight weeks of paid leave at 75% wage replacement—helps family caregivers maintain income stability while providing care.

“In continuing our ongoing advocacy on behalf of caregivers, during the 2026 Rhode Island General Assembly session SACRI will prioritize legislation introduced last year — the creation of a state caregiver tax credit and advocate for the inclusion of respite services for adults under the Medicaid program,” notes Maureen Maigret, SACRI Policy Advisor.

Maigret points out that a 2021 AARP study found the average caregiver spends $7,242 out of pocket each year caring for a loved one. “It’s a huge financial burden for many caregivers, especially as the cost of living continues to rise and 40% of caregivers report household incomes of $50,000 or less,” she says, referencing the 2021 Rhode Island Behavioral Risk Factor Survey. “A recent state survey also found that short-term respite is one of the most commonly requested services that caregivers say would help support their needs.”

“Supporting caregivers is not just compassionate—it’s smart policy. In 2024, Rhode Island spent $614 million in Medicaid costs related to dementia. By strengthening caregiver supports—like respite services, dementia-specific training, and care navigation—we can help families keep loved ones at home safely for longer and avoid more costly levels of care,” says Donna McGowan, Executive Director, Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter.

“Thoughtful policy and targeted funding is not only the right thing to do—it’s a wise investment in the health and future of our state,” notes McGowan.

To get a copy of Caregiving in the US 2025 go to https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/ltss/family-caregiving/caregiving-in-the-us-2025/

To get a copy of Caregiving in the US 2025: Caring Across the States, go to https://www.aarp.org/pri/topics/ltss/family-caregiving/caregiving-in-the-us-2025-caring-across-states/

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To access free caregiver tools and local resource guides, visit:

·         AARP Rhode Island “Guide for Caring for Older Adults in Rhode Island helps family caregivers access key programs, services, and agencies right in their community.

·         AARP’s online Caregiving Hub has tools and information available in English and Spanish.

·         AARP and United Way Worldwide’ s 211 program connects Rhode Island family caregivers to essential local services for themselves and their loved ones via the 211 helpline.

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Every Step Counts: Rhode Island’s Annual Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Published in RINewsToday on September 1, 2025 

“With new treatments emerging in the fight again Alzheimer’s and all other dementias, now is the time for hope. Now is the time for action,” says the Alzheimer’s Association, which organizes the world’s largest fundraiser to combat the disease.

Earlier this year, the Alzheimer’s Association released its 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, which underscores the growing prevalence of Alzheimer’s across the United States. Today, over 7 million Americans are living with the disease, with numbers expected to rise sharply in the coming decades. Twenty-two thousand people in Rhode Island are living with Alzheimer’s.

According to the report, Alzheimer’s-related deaths have more than doubled between 2000 and 2021. One in three seniors dies with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia and Alzheimer’s kills more than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. Alongside the devastating emotional impact, Alzheimer’s also places an immense financial burden on families and communities. Over 12 million Americans serve as unpaid caregivers for loved ones living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

The Alzheimer’s Association has been at the forefront of the fight against the disease, particularly through its annual fundraising efforts like the Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Since its inception in 1989, this nationwide initiative has raised billions of dollars for Alzheimer’s care, prevention, treatment, and research.

Last year alone, the Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter was a proud participant in this effort, alongside 73 other chapters across the U.S. The Rhode Island Chapter, which is committed to supporting local families and advancing

The Rhode Island Chapter’s Walk to End Alzheimer’s is a key event that provides an opportunity for local cities and towns to come together, raise awareness, and generate crucial funds for Alzheimer’s care and research. This year, Rhode Island’s five Walk events will kick off on September 7 in Block Island and continue across the state, including Newport (September 21), Northern Rhode Island (September 27), Westerly (October 5), and Providence (October 19).

Kristen Cusato, Director of Communications for the Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut and Rhode Island Chapter, shares that over 700 participants have already registered for the walks, forming 214 teams. She anticipates this number will grow to 2,700 participants across 372 teams by the time the walks take place.

A powerful example of local commitment to the cause is Women’s Ice Hockey Olympic Gold Medalist AJ Mleczko, who, will attend the Block Island walk. Known for her advocacy work with the Alzheimer’s Association, Mleczko has a personal connection to the disease—both her mother, Bambi, has Alzheimer’s and her maternal grandmother passed away from the devastating cognitive disorder.  Mleczko will share her family’s experience and highlight the importance of raising funds to support those affected by the disease.

With a fundraising goal of $730,000, the Walk to End Alzheimer’s events are crucial to the Rhode Island Chapter’s efforts to support Alzheimer’s research and community programs. “These events provide powerful opportunities to unite in the fight against Alzheimer’s while raising essential funds for care, research, and support services,” says Donna McGowan, Executive Director of the Alzheimer’s Association Rhode Island Chapter. “Every step taken brings us closer to a world without Alzheimer’s, and your participation can make a tangible difference in the lives of those affected.”

Rhode Island Communities Walk Together

The Rhode Island Chapter is proud to be part of the Alzheimer’s Association’s broader mission as the world’s largest non-profit funder of dementia research. With over $1 million currently being invested in local research projects, the chapter’s efforts are directly impacting the lives of Rhode Islanders affected by Alzheimer’s. “Our funds go directly back into the community to support various programs and services,” McGowan says. “These efforts help individuals living with Alzheimer’s, their loved ones, and anyone eager to join us in the fight.”

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s Day holds a special place in the hearts of many, according to McGowan. “It’s truly incredible,” she says. “After the program and Promise Garden ceremony, you realize you’re not in this battle alone. It’s the largest support group, where you can share your story and feel a sense of connection.”

One of the most touching examples of dedication to the cause comes from the Greenman family. For the past seven years, they have participated in the Block Island Walk to End Alzheimer’s through Team Peter and Sandy. The team was founded by Peter Greenman in honor of his wife, Sandy, who passed away in April 2024 after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Peter himself passed away shortly after one of the walks in 2020. Today, their daughter, Sarah Greenman Barclay, leads the team, continuing her parents’ legacy and raising awareness in the fight against Alzheimer’s.

Spotlight on One of the Best

Last year, Team Peter and Sandy raised over $119,000, earning national recognition as the 19th-ranked fundraising team in the country. Over the past seven years, they have raised nearly $500,000. Greenman Barclay credits much of their success to the Block Island community and the support from the Roosa Foundation, which provided match incentives.

“Being part of a top fundraising team was amazing,” Greenman Barclay reflects. “The Block Island community has been incredibly supportive, and we’ve made so many friends across the country who are just as passionate about the cause, even though they never met my parents.”

Greenman Barclay believes that participating in the Walk to End Alzheimer’s not only raises crucial funds but also brings the community together, accelerating the discovery of a cure. “It truly takes a village to fight this disease,” she says. “When we walk together, we send a powerful message that we are not alone.”

It’s not too late to register or volunteer for a local walk. Individuals can still participate, fundraise, or sign up as volunteers for event setup, registration, and more. To get involved, visit the event website:

https://act.alz.org/site/SPageServer?pagename=walk_volunteer#searchform.

If you have any questions about Alzheimer’s or dementia, call the Alzheimer’s Association 24/7 Helpline at 1-800-272-3900 or visit alz.org/ri.