National report says Alzheimer’s Disease expected to skyrocket – Herb Weiss

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging issues The 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report, released last week by the Chicago-based Alzheimer’s Association, highlights a dramatic rise in the number of Americans affected by the disease—signaling an urgent call to action for policymakers. According to the report, the total annual costs of caring for people…

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How religious are we? National survey results. – Herb Weiss

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer, aging issues According to an April 17 article in the National Catholic Register (NCR), outreach, Eucharistic revival, immigration—and perhaps even the Holy Spirit—are sparking spiritual renewal, not just in the United States, but also abroad. NCR reports that France expects a surge in adult baptisms this year, estimated at more…

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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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