Published in Pawtucket Times on October 20, 2003

Next Friday, nursing home advocates, state officials, residents and their families and friends along with long-term care providers are invited to North Kingston to celebrate the 25^th anniversary of the Alliance for Better Long-Term Care.

With its emergence on the advocacy scene in 1988, the Alliance for Better Home Care (later renamed the Alliance for Better Long-Term Care) has effectively defended the rights o those who can no longer speak for themselves – the elderly who receive care in the state’s nursing homes. Later in the late 1990s, the nonprofit group expanded its advocacy role into the assisted living, home care and hospice sectors. (This would result in the above-mentioned organizational name change).

Back in 1986, a thirty-something Roberta Hawkins had just raised her two daughters, Robin and Cindy. The former facility worker with 15 years’ experience under the belt working at Warwick-based Levitons Manufacturing Co., sought out a new career in human services.  Hawkins enrolled at Rhode Island College to become a  social worker.

At this time, she joined the federally funded program, Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) “to make a difference.”

Hawkins would later be assigned to assist low-income Rhode Islanders in applying for eligible federal and state benefits. However, poor nursing home care provided at the Rhode Island Nursing Home in Providence would later lead to refocusing of the nonprofit group’s mission, one that would aim to protect the health and dignity of the Ocean State’s growing nursing home resident population.

With VISTA funds and small grants drying up at the beginning of the Reagan years, around 1888, Hawkins’ nonprofit group received funding from the Department of Elderly Affairs to refocus her group’s new advocacy role in the state. The Alliance for Better Nursing Home Care was born.

Hawkins, along with six fellow VISTA volunteers, would later form the staff of the newly created statewide, advocacy group.  Three years later, Hawkins would take over the helm of the group.  Three years later, Hawkins would take over the helm of the group. Ultimately, she would become the sole staffer, with an organizational budget of $ 8,000.  Volunteer staff, consisting mostly of family members of nursing home residents, would help Hawkins formulate advocacy strategy, recruit new members, write and disseminate a newsletter and organize fundraisers.

Twenty-five years later, Hawkins Alliance for Long-Term Care has an operating budget of $ 770,000 with a staff of 14 people and a core group of 40 volunteers.  Several years ago, the Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA) out-sourced ombudsman duties to this non-profit group.

Since its inception, the Alliance for Better Long-Term Care has assisted families in both understanding and choosing the most appropriate care setting to place their loved ones, said Hawkins, in a multiple of care settings – from assisted-living nursing homes or to their own homes, through the provision of home care services.

As the state’s official ombudsman agency, Hawkins and her staff work to educate family members and residents of their state and federal rights.  Care complaints are investigated a resolution mediated between residents and the long-term care providers.

As an advocate, Hawkins testifies on behalf of nursing home residents at legislative and regulatory hearings.

Where does Hawkins go from here?

Hawkins said she looks forward to making  bigger changes in the Ocean State’s long-term care delivery system.

“When delivering services, state agencies sometimes cut people off from the services when they reach a certain age,” like rehabilitation and mental health services, she said.  “That’s totally inappropriate,” she adds.

Hawkins also told All About Seniors she will continue to work toward “putting the home back into nursing homes.” The facility must truly become are a resident’s home, she urged.

Rhode Island’s most visible nursing home advocate also wants to see facility staff adequately paid for the valuable work they perform.

“We must get rid of the staff that do not care about providing good care to the elderly and keep those who really do, by paying them livable wages and providing a good working atmosphere,” she said.

Hawkins has gained the respect of a wide variety of state officials, aging advocates and providers in her 25 years of advocacy.

Lt. Gov. Charles Fogarty, who worked with Hawkins when he was a state senator and as chair of the state’s Long Term Care Coordinating Council (LTCCC), said Rhode Island is fortunate to have such a dedicated and committed advocate.

“We all sleep better at night knowing that she is there for us to advocate on behalf of the thousands of frail and vulnerable elderly in long-term care settings,” he said.

Lucille Massemino, administrator of Charlesgate Nursing Center, a Providence-based 160-bed skilled nursing facility and a former m ember of its board of directors, said she sees Hawkins as a passionate advocate pushing for the quality of life of nursing home residents.

“She is very assertive with administrators, knowing the needs of residents and prodding facilities towards fulfilling those needs,” she said.

Meanwhile, Hugh Hall, president of the Rhode Island Health Care Association has seen Hawkins in action over the past 18 years, working tirelessly for the improvement of Rhode Island’s long-term care services.

“She has lobbied the state legislature for better care in nursing homes [urging lawmakers to pay facilities an adequate reimbursement rate and calling for the state to address a nurse staffing shortage],” he said.

Hawkins said she plans to stay around as long as she is effective and as long as her passion to fight for nursing home residents remains. For the sake of the tens of thousands of Ocean State seniors and young disabled people who need long-term care services, hopefully we’ll see her around advocating on their behalf for a long time to come.