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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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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Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island forum, “Uniting Voices for Meaningful Advocacy”

senior agenda

Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island 2025 Legislative Leader’s Forum – “Uniting Voices for Meaningful Advocacy” The Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island (SACRI) is hosting the annual Legislative Leader’s Forum, “Uniting Voices for Meaningful Advocacy” a pivotal event focused on shaping the future of aging, policy and legislative work in Rhode Island. This forum…

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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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National survey says care for older adults needs urgent rethinking – Herb Weiss

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging issues With President Trump’s administration beginning and a new Congress poised to rethink, among other issues, Social Security, Medicare and federal aging programs and services, it might be prudent for the president and lawmakers to take a quick glance at the findings of a recently released national survey,…

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Looking back at 2024, sharing some favorites – Herb Weiss

Herb Weiss

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging issues Like many national news organizations, RINewsToday, The Pawtucket Times and Woonsocket Call (now combined into one newspaper called the Blackstone Valley Call & Times), offers its readers an ‘age beat’ editorial commentary, covering a myriad of aging issues, Congress (including Social Security and  Medicare) retirement, the long-term care continuum, consumer issues, spirituality, pop…

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Chair Casey leaves mark on national aging policy. Leadership changes in DC and RI – Herb Weiss

A man in suit and tie standing outside.

Chairman Casey’s Leadership Leaves his mark on national aging policy  By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging issues Last week, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey (D-PA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging, held his last hearing, entitled “Empowering People with Disabilities to Live, Work, Learn, and Thrive, in SD 106.  This hearing was his swan song as…

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