Advocacy
A Rich Legacy Preserved
Rhode Island College recently celebrated the archiving of Herb Weiss’s 45-year body of work, recognizing his contributions as an advocate and journalist focused on healthcare policy, aging services, and government programs affecting older adults. The Herbert P. Weiss Papers, now permanently housed at RIC’s Adams Library, include more than 1,100 pieces—editorials, newsletters, articles, and…
Read MoreJune 27 Reception To Celebrate Journalist Herbert P. Weiss and Opening of New Collection at RIC Library
The Herbert P. Weiss Papers chronicle Weiss’s reporting on healthcare policy changes, aging services, and government programs affecting seniors. The collection includes published articles, research materials, and documentation spanning four decades of journalism focused on public policy issues. The materials offer researchers and students access to sustained coverage of how healthcare and aging policies developed…
Read MoreRhode Island Coalition for Elder Justice Marks Key Milestones in New Annual Report
The Rhode Island Coalition for Elder Justice (RICEJ) marked several key milestones in its 2024 Annual Report. The organization formalized its nonprofit status as a 501(c)(3), launched the Rhode to Justice webinar series, aired a public service announcement during World Abuse Awareness Month, and distributed a reporting protocol on abuse and neglect to more than…
Read MoreUsing Local Data to Advance Healthy Aging in Rhode Island
As Rhode Island’s older adult population continues to grow, understanding the specific needs of this population has never been more critical. The newly released 2025 Rhode Island Healthy Aging Data Report offers community-level data on health, housing, income, and more—empowering local leaders, service providers, and advocates to better target resources and plan for the future.…
Read MoreNew Data on Aging in Rhode Island Reveals Key Challenges and Opportunities
The 2025 Rhode Island Healthy Aging Data Report is here—and it offers a powerful tool to understand how older adults across every city and town in Rhode Island are faring when it comes to health, longevity, and community well-being. With more than 25% of Rhode Islanders now over the age of 60, and 18% aged…
Read MoreSACRI’s 2025 Priorities Take Center Stage
At the March 2025 legislative forum titled United Voices for Meaningful Advocacy, the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI) brought together hundreds of older adults, advocates, and lawmakers to unveil its legislative priorities. Held at the Crowne Plaza in Warwick, the event spotlighted the economic, caregiving, and civic contributions of older adults—and the pressing…
Read MoreFlipping the Script on Aging: A Call to Action for Older Americans Month
As Older Americans Month approaches this May, it’s the perfect time to rethink the way we talk—and think—about aging. In a thoughtful piece, Maria Cimini, Director of Healthy Aging Rhode Island, encourages all of us to “Flip the Script on Aging.” Her article highlights the power of language and societal attitudes in shaping how aging…
Read MoreHonoring a Lifelong Advocate: Herb Weiss’s Archive at RIC Captures 45 Years of Aging-Focused Journalism
Herb Weiss, one of Rhode Island’s most respected voices on aging and healthcare, has reached a remarkable milestone: his 45 years of advocacy and writing have been officially archived at the James P. Adams Library at Rhode Island College. The Herbert P. Weiss Papers, 1980 to 2025 collection features more than 1,100 articles and three…
Read MoreSenior Fellows Program Making Impact Across Rhode Island
Leadership Rhode Island and Age-Friendly RI’s Senior Fellows program is changing how older adults influence local policy and community development. The program connects older adults with organizations already working on aging-related initiatives across the state to drive concrete changes. Current fellows are tackling critical challenges across Rhode Island. At the Department of Health, they’re developing…
Read MoreImmediate Jeopardy in Nursing Homes: Challenges Are Growing, But Solutions Exist
Recent data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services indicates a notable increase in “Immediate Jeopardy” citations in Rhode Island nursing homes. These citations, which identify situations where noncompliance poses a significant risk of harm, have risen from 11 in 2022 to 29 as of October 2024. This trend points to underlying challenges in…
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