Our Rhode Island Coalition for Elder Justice (RICEJ) public service announcement (PSA) was re-aired on WPRI 12 from November 18, 2024 to January 7, 2025—reaching an incredible 97,300 impressions across Rhode Island! 🎉

This is a huge step in raising awareness about elder abuse and ensuring our community knows how to protect and support older adults. But we’re not stopping here! Help us spread the message by sharing this video with your personal and professional networks.

On Monday, January 27th, our Coalition members Elizabeth O’Dea, Director of Community Engagement for Horizon Healthcare Partners, and Steve Bagian, Supervising Attorney for Rhode Island Legal Services, Inc., joined John Tassoni for an interview on Recovery TV. They discussed the importance of elder justice and the critical work being done to protect older adults in our community.

Click the video above to watch their conversation and learn more about the ongoing efforts to support elder justice in Rhode Island.

The Public Awareness Committee has been actively engaged in several key initiatives, including a successful appearance on John Tassoni’s Recovery RI TV show, which aired on 2/22 and 2/23. The Coalition will re-air our PSA from 2/17 to 3/10. Efforts are underway to develop a new PSA focused on scam prevention. We continue to record expert-led webinars by our very own Coalition members, including recently released webinars featuring Mickaela Driscoll and Jared Wilbur, who discussed romance scams and financial exploitation. We are pleased to announce that our RICEJ tri-fold is now available in Portuguese, Spanish, and Khmer. Lastly, the Public Awareness Committee collaborated with DayOne to develop an “Elder Abuse Resource Guide.”

The Guardianship Committee is making progress on guardianship reform by collaborating with key stakeholders and working toward establishing a dedicated working group. There is widespread consensus on the need for reform, with proposed changes centered on Supported Decision-Making (SDM) and the introduction of a guardianship worksheet. A key aspect of the reform is to make the system more person-centered, ensuring that individuals under guardianship have an advocate who will prioritize their best interests. Key challenges include the need for data collection to support informed decision-making and the structural hurdle posed by probate judges operating independently in their respective municipalities.

The committee has been addressing inquiries related to mandated reporting and confidentiality. Committee members met with representatives from Alpert Medical School to explore clinical perspectives on elder abuse and training for medical students. Awareness initiatives include a recently released public statement regarding an elder abuse incident that happen in Bristol. Additionally, the Protocols Committee helped coordinate an End Abuse Later in Life training for Roger Williams and Fatima Hospital Social Workers.

The Homecare Committee remains focused on raising awareness among policymakers and advocating for funding to address workforce shortages. A draft letter has been prepared to inform stakeholders about recruitment, retention, and alternative care solutions, with ongoing updates planned as discussions with key stakeholders progress.

The Nominating Committee presented two nominations, and the following individuals have been appointed as official RICEJ members: Christopher Liu, a third-year undergraduate at Brown University and Chair of the Coalition’s Protocols Committee. Christopher has been an integral part of our Coalition for the past 2 years. Also, the appointment of Emily Stetkiewicz, who is Saint Elizabeth Haven for Elder Justice newly hired Elder Justice Advocate. Emily has been an active member of our Public Awareness Committee and we are excited for her new role.

Annual Report to Congress on Department of Justice Activities to Combat Elder Fraud and Abuse

The 2024 Elder Justice Annual Report from the DOJ details significant efforts to combat elder abuse and fraud. It highlights over 300 actions, recovering nearly $700 million for victims. The report emphasizes partnerships to disrupt scams, support victims, and raise awareness. It reflects the DOJ’s ongoing commitment to protecting older Americans. 

To read the full report, please click here.

The Rhode Island Coalition for Elder Justice (RICEJ) is excited to announce the release of two additional webinars in our ongoing Rhode to Elder Justice series, furthering our mission to educate and advocate for older adults facing abuse. These new sessions are focused on the unique challenges faced by LGBTQ+ elders, offering crucial insights and practical strategies for providing support.

Led by Elizabeth Gallagher from the Women’s Resource Center, this webinar explores the specific barriers LGBTQ+ elders face when experiencing abuse and offers strategies for providing inclusive, empathetic support.

Presented by Sarah DeCataldo, Volunteer for Pride in Aging RI, this session highlights the abuse risks specific to LGBTQ+ older adults and offers practical guidance for creating a supportive environment for them.

In this newsletter, we're featuring Gillian Palmer, the Law Enforcement Training Coordinator for the Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence. A dedicated leader, Gillian also serves as Chair of the Public Awareness Committee and Secretary of the Coalition, making a meaningful impact in multiple roles.

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

A: I enjoy collaborating with the people on the committee as well as the energy the committee brings. I chose to take on a leadership role because I truly feel passionate about getting the word out about safety within our older and aging adult populations. Elders deserve to feel safe, loved, supported and cared for regardless of their background or lived experience.

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

A: We will continue working on bringing public awareness via a variety of different platforms. Whether this be through advertisements, education and webinar series, community events, etc.

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

A: With the subcommittee that I chair, as well as the entire coalition, what is most valuable is the sense of community and partnership. We all come from a variety of different sectors, agencies and professions all with the goal of supporting and empowering elders. Having people with a perspective of banking/finance, domestic violence, adult protective services, behavioral health, etc. all helps to bring a very comprehensive view on how we can better serve our elders. This not only enhances our committees mission and work but also leads to very productive conversations on how to always strive for the best practice services and support for the community.

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

A: There are a variety of challenges we face in regards to elder justice. Specifically in regards to the public awareness piece on elder abuse, we know that elder abuse is underreported. Our committee continues to try to bring awareness about what elder abuse is and what it can look like. We hope to educate and encourage all walks of life to be aware of the signs of elder abuse and the resources that exist. We do this by producing Public Awareness Campaigns and with our Rhode to Elder Justice Webinar series.

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

A: Elder abuse is a community issue, and our committee is dedicated to educating, advocating for, and empowering community members to recognize the signs of elder abuse and report it. Through public awareness campaigns, training, education, and fostering community connections, we aim to unite efforts in protecting and supporting older adults.