|
NEWSLETTER September-October 2017
|
|
|
Momentum, Collaboration and Testing New Models
|
|
|
|
Administrator of Charlesgate Lauren Yabut, left, and Community Support Specialist Kim Gardner, right, review a treatment plan. (Photo/Susan E. Bouchard)
|
|
|
Age-Friendly Rhode Island's Strategic Plan calls for testing new models of supporting older adults in the community.
|
|
|
One of the innovative grant-funded projects currently underway is a six-month pilot program bringing behavioral health services into elderly housing. Partnering with Charlesgate and the Community Care Alliance this new model is now in place. All of the initial indications are very positive.
|
|
|
This program is proving to be helpful in many ways. Having on-site access to behavioral health services is closing gaps in care for residents as well as building bridges of support that extend into the community. Identifying problems as they arise allows for earlier intervention and keeps situations from escalating and becoming a full-blown crisis.
|
|
|
Statewide Age-friendly Happenings
|
|
|
Faith-Based Role in Elder Care
|
|
|
|
Millison Barnett, center, shares a laugh with Sylvia Bernal, left, and William Carl LaFleur, right, at the Third Age conference. (Photo/ Susan E. Bouchard)
|
|
|
Through our collaborations with many partners we continue to participate, assist and build awareness about age-friendliness throughout the state. Here is a sampling of some of the many events that have happened around the state in recent weeks.
|
|
|
More than 100 people gathered for The Third Age: The Role of Faith-Based Communities in Elder Care. The event brought together people of all religious denominations to learn how to help their members stay safe and connected to their communities as they grow older.
|
|
Where Health Care and Housing Intersect
Later in the month a record crowd attended the Senior Health + Housing Forum. The focus of this conference was to look at where the needs for healthcare and housing intersect. Topics included the current and growing need for affordable housing, the state of healthcare Medicare and Medicaid and innovative housing models and projects underway in other states.
|
|
Senior Power Through Organizing
Building power through community was the focus of the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island's tenth annual conference and expo. Keynote speaker Jaime Estades encouraged the more than 300 gathered to organize their power to create change.
|
|
|
|
Panelists, from left, Maureen Maigret, Rep. Deborah Ruggiero, moderator Bill Flynn, Sen. Harold Metts and Lee Ann Byrne discuss reaching out to legislators during the Senior Agenda Coalition's conference. (Photo/ Susan E. Bouchard)
|
|
|
Inspiring Age-friendly Initiatives
|
|
|
The Age-Friendly Rhode Island team continues to meet with local leaders, most recently in Woonsocket, Pawtucket and North Providence as well as groups of older adults across the state to listen to their concerns and refine plans to bridge the gaps identified as well as inspire age-friendly initiatives in their communities.
|
|
|
|
Marianne Raimondo meets with Pawtucket Mayor Donald Grebien and key leaders from local government to discus age-friendly initiatives. (Photo/ Susan E. Bouchard)
|
|
|
|
|
