Tips on coping with the friendship recession – Herb Weiss

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging issues Photo, top: (l. to r.) Author Herb Weiss, Paul Audette (dec), and Len Lavoie, at Gregg’s, No. Main St. In the midst of the global pandemic, the May 21 American Perspective Survey (APS) revealed a significant shift in how Americans experience and maintain friendships. The findings, dubbed…

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Lawmakers consider bill to combat fraud at crypto kiosks – Herb Weiss

by Herb Weiss, contributing writer, aging issues Maybe the second time will be the charm. After the Rhode Island General Assembly failed to address the issue of preventing criminals from using cryptocurrency (Crypto) ATMs to steal from older Rhode Islanders, AARP Rhode Island is renewing its effort to regulate the state’s 120 crypto kiosks and…

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Changes coming to HHS elicit strong response from aging network – Herb Weiss

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer, aging issues The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), under management of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., last week announced a major restructuring and renaming of the federal agency under the initiative “Make America Healthy Again.” This dramatic reorganization follows Trump’s Executive Order, Implementing the President’s ‘Department of…

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Senior Agenda Coalition of RI unveils its 2025 legislative priorities at forum – Herb Weiss

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging issues Photo, top: Retiring SACRI Director Robert Cox received a House Citation from House Speaker Joe Shekarchi by Rep. Lauren Carson at Legislative Forum.  Cox here with SACRI Executive Director Carol Anne Costa  On March 14, 2025, hundreds of older Rhode Islanders, aging network providers, state officials, and lawmakers gathered at the…

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A snapshot of older travelers, and travel tips – Herb Weiss

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer, aging issues Larry Tetreault, 78, and wife Diane, 72, don’t spend their days sitting in rocking chairs on their porch in Narragansett.  For over 20 years, the former educators have traveled quite a bit, mostly taking international trips,” says Larry. These trips, usually to warmer climates (Bahamas, Bermuda, and Aruba), “put…

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It’s now time for Congress to give tax credits to America’s caregivers – Herb Weiss

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging issues Just a few days after the 119th Congress was sworn in on Friday, January 3rd, AARP, along with 94 organizations, sent a letter to Congress urging lawmakers to enact legislation to provide financial relief for America’s caregivers. This could be accomplished by including the bipartisan bicameral Credit for…

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New study gives Congress a road map to fix Social Security – Herb Weiss

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer, aging issues As Social Security celebrates its 90th anniversary on Aug. 14, 2025, this essential retirement program has long been facing a significant long-term financing gap.  According to the 2024 Social Security trustees report, unless Congress acts the trust funds will be depleted by 2035, forcing the program to reduce benefits by…

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