Over the last several months, the Coalition has been expanding our reach, strengthening partnerships, and planning for the future. We recently partnered with Meals on Wheels to distribute elder abuse and neglect reporting postcards with all meal deliveries across the state. In August, we teamed up with the Senior Agenda Coalition of RI and hosted three elder justice trainings in different parts of the state, engaging over 100 participants in conversations about recognizing and preventing abuse.

Our public awareness efforts also continue to grow. In July, our social media content saw a 75% increase in views and more than doubled in reach, helping us connect with a wider audience. We were invited by the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) to contribute our expert lead Rhode to Elder Justice webinar series to their training repository, expanding our impact to professionals, caregivers, and community members across the country.

Looking ahead, we are meeting with a strategic planner to map out the future of RICEJ, actively pursuing grant opportunities to support our work, and exploring a website redesign to improve accessibility, security, and in-house management. These steps will help us remain sustainable, expand our capacity to serve older adults, and advance efforts to prevent elder abuse in Rhode Island, positioning us as a catalyst for meaningful change on elder justice issues.

Our Rhode to Elder Justice webinars, lead by local experts, are now featured in the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) Training Resources repository, providing national visibility and enhanced credibility. 

Click here to view the series!

Brooke Conneally, Communications Manager, and Lori Light, Rhode Island State Long Term Care Ombudsman, were interviewed on The Rhode Show on Thursday, September 19. Tune in on Tuesday, September 23rd to hear them discuss the Coalition’s ongoing public awareness efforts and the critical work of the Ombudsman in supporting older adults.

During September, RICEJ aired a commercial to raise awareness about scams targeting older adults. Voiced by Mickaela Driscoll, Elder Justice Administrator at the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office and Vice Chair of our Coalition, the spot highlighted that scamming is the fastest-growing form of elder abuse. With technology giving scammers new ways to exploit phones, tablets, and computers, we are committed to educating the community on how to recognize the warning signs and stop these crimes before they cause harm.

Melanie Monteiro, Project Coordinator for Saint Elizabeth Haven for Elder Justice and a valued member of our Coalition, was interviewed in July on The Rhode Show. She shared insights on elder abuse and highlighted the important work being done through the Haven for Elder Justice, helping raise awareness about protecting older adults across Rhode Island.

The Public Awareness Committee is evaluating cost-effective strategies to enhance outreach and community engagement. Current considerations include selectively boosting high-engagement Facebook content through paid promotion and expanding tabling opportunities at community events to provide education and raise awareness on elder abuse and elder justice issues.

The Guardianship Committee continues to focus on critical reforms, including strengthening oversight and consistency across Rhode Island’s 39 probate courts, addressing conflicts of interest, closing gaps in healthcare discharge planning, upholding the right to counsel for individuals under guardianship, and ensuring accountability in the use of the Decision-Making Assessment Tool (DMAT). The committee developed a webinar for healthcare professionals on proper completion of the DMAT and clarifying who should be responsible for conducting these assessments. Looking ahead, long-term goals include advancing systemic reforms such as regular audits, standardized probate procedures, and the establishment of an Elder Advocate role to better protect vulnerable older adults.

The Protocols Committee is advancing several priorities, including outreach to geriatric providers on the identification, reporting, and response to elder abuse, as well as continuing Community Conversations on elder abuse and broader elder justice issues. Recent partnerships include SACRI, Block Island Social Services, Meals on Wheels, and the Community Health Worker Apprenticeship Program at Rhode Island College. The committee has also established a new partnership with the RI State Council of Churches to deliver four regional faith-based elder abuse trainings.

The Home Care Committee is finalizing a letter to legislators with policy recommendations. To inform this work, the committee has scheduled a meeting with the Deputy Director of the RI Medicaid Program and the Associate Director of Medicaid & LTSS Programs Eligibility & Operations to obtain additional data. Current efforts focus on raising awareness of the CNA staffing shortage and examining LTSS Medicaid eligibility issues, both of which directly affect individuals’ ability to remain safely at home. The committee also plans to meet with identified legislators to present findings and advocate for related policy action.

FTC Data Show a More Than Half Four-Fold Increase in Reports of Impersonation Scammers Stealing Tens and Even Hundreds of Thousands from Older Adults

The Federal Trade Commission shared a press release highlighting a sharp increase in impersonation scams targeting older adults, with victims losing tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. The article explores how scammers pose as trusted figures and offers tips to help seniors protect themselves.

To read the full press release, please click here.

In our August webinar, Liv Lozier, Legal Advocate at Disability Rights Rhode Island, dives into Supported Decision Making and other alternatives to guardianship. Learn how practical, person-centered approaches can help older adults and individuals with disabilities remain empowered and actively involved in decisions about their own lives.

To watch the webinar, click here.

In this newsletter edition, we’re proud to feature Chair Steven Bagian, Esq., and Co-Chair Adela Hogan-Caron, BSW, of the Guardianship Subcommittee. Steve is a Supervising Attorney, and Adela is a Social Worker, both with Rhode Island Legal Services. Together, they bring expertise, leadership, and a deep commitment to supporting older adults and their families across the state.

Q: What inspired you to take on a leadership role within your committee, and what drives your passion for elder justice?

A: Steve and I are driven to this committee because too many older adults are being place under guardianship orders without any one to truly represent their interest or ensure this is absolutely necessary. We want to ensure reform that guardianships are Ward center first and the ward has a say in what happens in their life. In terms of elder justice, we are passionate to ensure that elders are able to live safe and healthy goldens years hopefully at home but most importantly free of any abuse. As well to advocate for elders to have a voice in society.

Q: What are the primary goals your committee is focusing on for the upcoming year?

A: Ward focus guardianship hearings, ensure Wards are appointed their own attorney, implement changes that require probate courts to be consistent, and work with AARP to assist with the changes needed.

Q: What resources or partnerships have been most valuable in advancing your committee's mission?

A: Discussions with the Chief Probate Judge, Collaborating with AARP, Working to bring the probate council back, and learning about supportive decision making with the Disability Rights RI.

Q: What do you see as the biggest challenges facing elder justice right now, and how is your committee addressing them?

A: I believe ageism is our biggest challenge, DMATs being completed by non-medical providers, and Wards not being required to attend court. I believe by giving the ward a attorney to represent their best interest will ensure they still have a voice and say in the matter in terms of guardianship or other decision making options.

Q: What's one key message or takeaway you'd like to share with our readers about your committee's efforts?

A: We are offering a voice to a group of people whose voice and rights are being taken away when placed under a Guardianship. Guardianship is serious and it should not be handed out easily. We want the ward to be part of the process and their voice to be heard.