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Senior Citizen Study Commission

The RI House commission studying the services and programs for older adults in Rhode Island, led by Rep. Lauren H. Carson, is hosting local meetings. The meeting is open to all members of the public.

The Special Legislative Commission to Study and Provide Recommendations Pertaining to Services and Coordination of State Programs Relating to Older Adult Rhode Islanders has been meeting since September to study the state’s resources and services for older adults and ways to improve them as the population of older Rhode Islanders increases. Currently, more than 240,000 Rhode Islanders are age 60 or older. That number is expected to increase to almost 265,000 by 2040.

At the Warwick meeting, the commission will present its findings and answer questions from the public. Lt. Governor Sabina Matos will join the commission to speak about state programs overseen by her office, including the Long Term Care Coordinating Council. The commission is

• studying key statistics about services for older adults in Rhode Island, examining strengths, vulnerabilities, and demographic and financial statistics;
• assessing the current state, federal and local services currently available, as well as any duplication of services;
• recommending ways to coordinate services within agencies and focus on better service delivery, including housing options and various living arrangements, health status and health care resources;
• providing recommendations for the creation of a portal to coordinate aging services in employment, education, independent living, accessibility and advocacy, as well as local older adult centers and services;
• providing recommendations on mental health, transportation, food access, and health care; provide recommendations for the funding of services through state, federal and private grants and for more efficient distribution and use of these dollars;
• and exploring more regionalization of services.

"It’s very clear that the population of older Rhode Islanders is increasing rapidly, and we need to make sure our state has the services and resources ready to meet its needs effectively and efficiently. I’m excited to bring our commission to Warwick to talk about what we’ve determined so far, and to hear from the public, especially seniors, about what they believe would be most valuable in the future," said Representative Carson (D-Dist. 75, Newport). For more information about the meeting, you can contact her directly at 401-523-1143, or laurenhcarson@gmail.com, or visit her website at www.LaurenCarson.com.