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

Published in RINewsToday on March 17, 2025

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

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

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

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

The Economic Impact of Older Adults

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

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

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

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

Shaping SACRI’s 2025 Legislative Agenda

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lawmakers Respond

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A Final Note…

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

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

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

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

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

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

My most popular reads as an “age beat” journalist in 2022

Published in RINewsToday on January 2, 2023

As an ‘age beat’ journalist for over 43 years, I have freelanced more than 867 stories covering aging, health care and medical issues. These authored and coauthored pieces have appeared in national, state, trade and association publications and even statewide news blogs. In 2022, my articles appeared weekly in 52 issues of RINewsToday.com. Here are the top five articles read on this state-wide blog last year.

“Aging in Place in Your Rhode Island Community,” published in the May 2, 2022 issue of RINewsToday.

According to this article, the aging of the nation’s population continues with seniors choosing to live out their remaining years, aging in place in their communities. The article discusses the findings of a study of adults age 50 and older conducted by the AP-NORC Center for Public Research and the SCAN Foundation. This study confirms that a majority of older respondents would like to age in place and are confident they can access needed health care services that will allow them to stay at home for as long as possible.

In this article, Mary Lou Moran, Director, Pawtucket Division of Senior Services at the Leon Mathieu Senior Center, who noted, “the coordination, accessibility, and connection to services and programs is critical to the successful delivery of services and is where much work needs to be done.

Moran stressed the importance of senior centers located in communities throughout the state that delivered needed information and assistance to seniors on accessing the needed services to age in place. Social isolation, access to transportation, food and housing insecurity, economic stability, and connectivity to services, are obstacles to enabling a person to stay in the community in their homes, says Moran.

Maureen Maigret, policy consultant and Chair of the Aging in Community Subcommittee of the Long-Term Care Coordinating Council, also described state programs that assist seniors age in place in Rhode Island.

Finally, the article gave a history of the National Village to Village Movement and its impact on Rhode Island. It noted that The Village Common of Rhode Island (TVC), with programs in Providence, Barrington, Edgewood/Cranston, and Westerly, provides supports to keep seniors at home through the efforts of almost 200 trained and vetted volunteers.

TVC supports include transportation, running errands, home visits and telephone assurance, minor home repairs and light yard work, assistance with technology, and a virtual caregiver support program. A robust weekly calendar offers virtual events, and a monthly newsletter keeps members and guests informed.

To read this article, go to https://rinewstoday.com/aging-in-place-in-your-rhode-island-community-herb-weiss/

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“Calls for Rhode Island to Become more “Age Friendly,” published in the Jan. 24, 2002 2022 issue of RINewsToday.

This article gave a background of a United Nation’s initiative to create “age friendly” communities. Over two years ago, a proposal was endorsed by the 73^rd World Health Assembly. It was presented to the U.N. General Assembly Dec. 14, 2020, (Resolution 75/131), leading to the proclamation of a U.N. Decade of Healthy Aging (2021-2030).

The four-page Resolution expressed concern that, despite the predictability of population aging and its accelerating pace, the world is not sufficiently prepared to respond to the rights and needs of older people. It acknowledges that the aging of the population impacts our health systems but also many other aspects of society, including labor and financial markets and the demand for goods and services, such as education, housing, long-term care, social protection and information. It thus requires a total whole-of-society approach to make “age friendly” changes.

Maureen Maigret, policy consultant and chair of the Aging in Community Subcommittee of Rhode Island’s Long-Term Care Coordinating Council, noted that many Rhode Island communities are involved to 1 degree or another in what we consider age-friendly activities. “The initiative is usually led by the local senior center and in some instances volunteer programs such as RSVP and AARP and The Village Common of RI,” she says.

According to Maigret, over the last five years the state’s Long-Term Care Coordinating Council Aging (LTCCC) in Community Subcommittee has adopted and continues to work to support WHO’s decadelong initiative, adding the domains of Food & Nutrition and Economic Security and Supports to Remain at Home.

Newport was the first community to join the AARP age-friendly network; Cranston, Providence and Westerly following. The state’s Office of Healthy Aging has adopted its State Plan on Aging, calling for Rhode Island to become an age-friendly state, says Maigret.

Maigret called on Rhode Island’s cities and towns review their community’s Comprehensive Plans to see how age-friendliness is addressed. “This is what Newport did.

To read this article, go to https://rinewstoday.com/calls-for-rhode-island-to-become-more-age-friendly-herb-weiss/

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“Bill would (Re)create a RI Department of Healthy Aging,” published in the March 21, 2022 issue of RINewsToday.

This article described a legislative proposal on Smith Hill to transform the state’s Office of Healthy Aging (OHA) into a department making it far more visible and effective as an advocate for the state’s growing senior population. H. 7616, introduced by Rep. Lauren H. Carson (D-District 75, Newport), would expand the office in the Department of Human Services (DHS) into a full-fledged state department, expand its director’s authority, and appoint local senior centers as hubs for service delivery, with authority to bill Medicaid for transportation services.

The RI Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA) was created by law in 1977 and remained a department until 2011, when the legislature changed it to a division within the Department of Human Services (DHS). In 2019, the department was re-named the Office of Healthy Aging (OHA), shifting narratives and perceptions associated with growing older. At press time, the Office of Healthy Aging remains a division under the Department of Human Services.

“Restoring the OHA to a department status will strengthen its position at the budget table and elevate the importance of programs supporting older residents of our state. We hope that will make a difference,” says Bernard J. Beaudreau, Executive Director of the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island.

.“The legislation proposed by Rep. Carson elevates the conversation about the importance of age-friendly policies that enable Rhode Islanders to choose how we live as we age,” said AARP Rhode Island State Director Catherine Taylor. “AARP Rhode Island looks forward to being part of this conversation and continuing to advocate fiercely at both the state and local levels for enhanced home and community-based supportive services, accessible and affordable housing and transportation options, and full inclusion of people of all ages and abilities in community life,” she said.

According to Maureen Maigret, policy consultant and chair of the Aging in Community Sub-committee of Rhode Island’s Long-Term Care Coordinating Council, H 7616 is a very significant bill that will help to stimulate a long due discussion as to how the state should fund senior programs and services in light of the state’s growing age 65 and older population. This age group is projected to represent at least one in five of the state’s residents by 2040.

To read this article, go to
https://rinewstoday.com/bill-would-recreate-a-ri-department-of-healthy-aging-herb-weiss/

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“RI Candidates for Governor Spotlight Senior Issues at Forum,” published in the August 8, 2022 issue of RINewsToday.

This article reported on a 143-minute Rhode Island Gubernatorial form where five Democratic and one Republican gave two minute responses to seven questions previously given to them by the Senior Agenda Coalitionof Rhode Island (SACRI). These questions were intended to how these candidates if elected Governor would fix Rhode Island’s fragmented long-term care continuum and provider payment systems.

According to Bernard J. Beaudreau, Executive Director of the Providence-based SACRI about 300 seniors and aging advocates came to personally see the Gubernatorial candidates outline their position on aging issues. Multiple platforms on Facebook and YouTube were promoted by a variety of senior advocacy groups that resulted in the over 300 virtual audience. Some held “watch parties” at one or more of the 12 senior centers, with approximately 135 people participating from throughout the state.

Maureen Maigret, chair of the Long-Term Care Coordinating Council’s Aging in Community Subcommittee and SACRI Board Member reported that all candidates supported: “making the Office of Healthy Aging a full cabinet/department with review of sufficiency of resources; expansion of Medicare Savings Program which I have been advocating for at least 5 years and adding a state COLA to SSI payments; requiring better data on minority older adult inclusion; addressing community living, housing and transportation needs of older persons and developing and implementing a comprehensive, interdepartmental strategic Plan on Aging.

To read this article, go to
https://rinewstoday.com/ri-candidates-for-governor-spotlight-senior-issues-at-forum-herb-weiss/

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“Larson Pushes to Get Social Security Reform Proposal for House Vote, published in the June 13, issue of RINewsToday.

This article reported that the House Ways and Means Committee was preparing for a full mark-up on H.R. 5723, Social Security 2100: A Sacred Trust, authored by Committee Chairman John B. Larson (D-CT) this summer.

Larson says that over 200 House Democrats [no Republican has yet to support the proposal], are cosponsoring H.R. 5723. Forty-two national organizations (aging, union, veterans, disability, and consumer health organizations) are calling for passage of H.R. 5723, including the Leadership Council on Aging Organizations and the Strengthen Social Security Coalition representing hundreds of national and state aging organizations.

According to a legislative fact sheet, H.R. 5723 both expands the program’s benefits and financially strengthens its. Here are a few provisions:

Specifically, it would give a benefit bump for current and new Social Security beneficiaries by providing an increase for all beneficiaries (receiving retirement, disability, or dependent benefits).

The proposal would also protect Social Security beneficiaries against inflation by adopting a Consumer Price Index for the Elderly (CPI-E), to better reflect the costs incurred by seniors who spend a greater portion of their income on health care and other necessities.

This legislative proposal protects low-income workers by providing a new minimum benefit set at 25% above the poverty line and would be tied to wage levels to ensure that minimum benefits does not fall behind.

It is expected that Larson will reintroduce this legislative proposal next Congress. To read this article, go to https://herbweiss.blog/2022/06/13/larson-pushes-to-get-social-security-reform-proposal-for-house-vote/

Aging in Place in Your Rhode Island Community

Published in Pawtucket Times on May 2, 2022

As the graying of the nation’s population continues, older persons are choosing to live out their remaining years remaining in their communities in their homes, whenever possible. A new just-released study of adults age 50 and older from the AP-NORC Center for Public Research and the SCAN Foundation, finds a majority of older persons would like to age in place and are confident they can access needed services that will allow them to stay at home in their community for as long as possible.

Gathering Thoughts About Aging in Place

According to this new national study released last week, two-thirds of the respondents think their communities meet their needs for accessing services like health care, grocery stores and social opportunities. The researchers found that all types of health care services are widely perceived as easy to access in their communities, and most feel that local health care understand their needs (79%) and take their concerns seriously (79%).

But, a closer examination of the small proportion of older Americans (Blacks and Hispanics) who feel less prepared and less supported in their community raises concerns about equity in access to the resources necessary to age in place.

However, the study reported that a few respondents say they had a hard time accessing needed services because of communication obstacles like a language barrier (11%), cultural barrier (8%) or age gap (8%); issues with affordability (15%); or issues of respect for their religious (4%) or cultural (3%) background.

Those in urban areas—and suburban areas especially—describe their communities as having more supports for aging in place than those in rural areas. Older adults in suburban areas see their communities as doing the best job with meeting needs for healthy food, internet access, and the kinds of foods they want to eat. Suburban areas are also seen as better than rural areas in particular at meeting needs for health care and social activities. Older rural Americans are less likely than those living elsewhere to use a range of services simply because they aren’t available in their area. They are less likely to feel that community services are easy to get and designed for people their age than those in urban or suburban communities as well. And they are less likely to think a variety of health care services would be easy for them to access.

Income disparities are also associated with access to critical aging services. Those with incomes of $50,000 and below are less likely than those earning more to have access to services that are in their language (73% vs. 82%), close by or easy to get to (58% vs. 65%), respectful of their religious beliefs (57% vs. 65%), or designed for people their age (53% vs. 63%). When it comes to medical services, they are also less likely to have easy access to dental care, physical therapy, pharmacies, nursing homes, and urgent care than those earning more.

Additionally, those age 65 and older generally feel more prepared and report better access to important community services than those ages 50-64.

Aging in Place in the Ocean State

For older adults aging in place, in their own homes, is by far the preferred model, says Mary Lou Moran, Director, Pawtucket Division of Senior Services at the Leon Mathieu Senior Center. “In fact, the theme of this year’s federal observance of Older Americans Month “Age My Way” focuses specifically on this very topic. The coordination, accessibility, and connection to services and programs is critical to the successful delivery of services and is where much work needs to be done,” she says.

Moran says that senior centers located in communities throughout the state deliver needed information and assistance to older adults on accessing the needed services to age in place. Social isolation, access to transportation, food and housing insecurity, economic stability, and connectivity to services, are obstacles to enabling a person to stay in the community in their homes, adds Moran.

Over the years, Rhode Island’s inadequate Medicaid rates have become major obstacles to allowing a person to stay at home. However, recent state legislation, H 7616, to recreate a Department of Healthy Aging, spearheaded by Reps Carson, Ruggiero, McLaughlin, Contvriend, Speakman, Ajello and Potter, addresses some of the challenges that service providers are facing when trying to assist individuals to age in place. Moran adds, as the number of older adults continues to grow exponentially, the time has come to fully put the needs of our elders in the fore front to enable them to age with choice, dignity and respect.

According to Maureen Maigret, policy consultant and Chair of the Aging in Community Subcommittee of the Long-Term Care Coordinating Council, “Rhode Island is fortunate to have a number of government-funded programs that help older adults to age in place.” These programs include Meals on Wheels home-delivered meals program; Medicaid home and community services including home care, adult day services; assisted living and self-directed programs; Caregiver respite and support services; Home Modification grants to help make homes accessible; and elder transportation assistance for those age 60+ for medical trips, to get to adult day. She also mentioned the Office of Healthy Aging’s Home Cost Share program for persons age 65+ and persons underage 65 with dementia who are not Medicaid eligible with income up to 250% of the federal poverty level and the wonderful programs offered at the state’s senior centers.

However, Maigret says that for some of these services such as home care there may be wait lists due to worker shortages. (People can find out about these programs or to find out what benefits they may be entitled to by calling the POINT at 401-462-4444).

There are also private services available for almost any service needed to help people age in place if they have the financial means to pay for them,” says Maigret.

The National Village to Village Movement Comes to Rhode Island

While some of these volunteer programs in RI may offer some type of services such as transportation, a relatively new initiative has come to Rhode Island. “The Village Common of Rhode Island (TVC) provides a variety of supports through the efforts of almost 200 trained and vetted volunteers,” says Maigret.

Maigret says that the goal of TVC is to help older persons to stay in their own homes and connected and engaged with their community. “This “neighbor helping neighbor” model started 20 years ago in Beacon Hill Boston and now there are 300 nonprofit “villages” operating across the country. TVC supports include transportation, running errands, home visits and telephone assurance, minor home repairs and light yard work, assistance with technology, and a virtual caregiver support program. A robust weekly calendar offers virtual events, and a monthly newsletter keeps members and guests informed. All this is done with a lean 1.5 person staff, a working board of directors and almost 200 volunteers,” she notes.

“I had heard about the “village” model some years back and supported efforts to start a “village” in Rhode Island, she says. “It amazes me that a small band of committed volunteers were able to put all the pieces in place to operationalize a “village” and to see what has been accomplished. There are now active “villages” in Providence, Barrington, Edgewood/Cranston and Westerly with almost 300 members and more “villages” are under development. One of the priority goals of the Board is to reach out to underserved neighborhoods in our urban and rural areas to listen to people and find out what is important to them and what type of “village” program might work in their area,” she says.

“We know that transportation is a huge issue for folks living in our rural areas and that is a huge concern. And, based on findings of the 2021 RI Life Index: Older Adults in Rhode Island(from RI Blue Cross Blue Shield//Brown University School of Public Health), we know that older persons of color living in our core cities have lower perceptions of community life, access to healthcare and experience lower food security and access to technology,” adds Maigret.

“Research on the fairly new “village” programs shows promise in fostering feelings of being connected to others and suggest older women living alone with some disability most likely to experience improved health, mobility and quality of life (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28509628/.),” says Maigret, noting that this is an important finding as Rhode Island has such a high portion of older adults living alone.

TVC President Anne Connor (74) says she has been a member and volunteer since 2015. “That we are volunteer supported is noteworthy and having an Executive Director, Caroline Gangji, (formerly acting Executive Director at Age Friendly RI), improves our ability to serve our members”, says the retired librarian and paralegal.

As TVC founder Cy O’Neil once said, ” …you don’t create a fire house when the house is burning.” TVC is more than services – it is the relationships we build that are key to our success, says Connor.

For details about The Village Common Rhode Island, go to https://www.villagecommonri.org/.

For specifics programs and services offered by the Rhode Island Office of Healthy, go to https://oha.ri.gov/.

Herb Weiss

Aging Issues

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