It is vital that everyone in Rhode Island be counted. Results from the census will help determine the amount of federal funding Rhode Island gets for schools, roads, housing, SNAP, park improvements, and more for the next ten years. In fact, Rhode Island receives $3.8 billion (yes, with a “B”) each year to support these…

We know that Senior Centers, Retirement Home Operators, Caregivers, and families are overwhelmed by keeping their members, residents, clients, and family members safe. Cyber-Seniors are taking extraordinary measures to mobilize their extensive network of trained Cyber-Senior Mentors to provide technology training in the form of online webinars and telephone support for older adults effective immediately.…

In our last newsletter, we shared that Tufts Health Plan Foundation announced that they are making additional support of $1 million to community efforts on behalf of older people affected by the coronavirus in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Connecticut. “This first wave of funding addresses one of the most pressing concerns facing older…

Rhode Island Foundation and United Way of Rhode Island have announced the first round of funding for local nonprofit organizations at the forefront of COVID-19 response. Nearly $1.25 million in grants will be distributed in the coming days to 27 local organizations, including some in Providence and the surrounding area.   A joint grants review…

isolation increases the risk of mortality. According to a 2012 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, both social isolation and loneliness are associated with a higher risk of mortality in adults aged 52 and older. One possible explanation: “People who live alone or lack social contacts may be at increased risk of…

The Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging (OHA) is working closely with the Rhode Island Department of Health and Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency to coordinate the state’s response to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Older Rhode Islanders and individuals with underlying conditions are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 illness. Governor Raimondo and the Rhode…

Alice Bonner of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) contextualizes a new report suggesting that if prescribing patterns do not change in the US, older adults will experience at least 74 million adverse drug events requiring medical care and will be hospitalized nearly 5 million times in the next decade. Eliminating Medication Overload: A National Action…

The CDC has identified older adults and people who have severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung, or kidney disease at higher risk for more serious COVID-19 illness. According to the CDC, early data suggest older people are twice as likely to have serious COVID-19 illness. This is likely because as people age, their immune systems…

A new survey of nearly 3,000 U.S. adults finds that although two-thirds want to age in their current home or community. However, only a third believe that they will be able to do so. The survey highlights three main factors that influence individuals’ ability to age in place: social determinants of health (SDOH) like access to transportation…