Senate Aging Committee Tackles COVID-19’s Devastating Impact on Seniors

RINewsToday

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer, aging According to an analysis conducted for the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity, as of May 22, in the 39 states that currently report such figures, 43 percent of all coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths have taken place in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Since March, the COVID-19 cases in Rhode Island’s…

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One in five Americans are unpaid family caregivers

RINewsToday

by Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging As the nation sees a growing number of aging baby boomers, workforce shortages in health care and long-term care settings, increased state funding for community-based services, and a growing number of seniors requiring assistance in their daily activities, caregivers are needed more than ever. According to a recently released…

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Coronavirus and the disparity of age…no time to waste

RINewsToday

In early March, Rhode Island knew it had a problem with its large proportion of seniors living in the state. Because the coronavirus targeted seniors like a mosquito targets those in a group that “tastes good”, and for which its bite will be the most troublesome. Seniors, as has been clear from day one, are…

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Shore Up our Social Security Reserve

RINewsToday

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging Each year, starting in 1941, the Social Security Board of Trustees has presented a required report on the financial status of the program to the Congress. Now amidst the world-wide coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic forcing the shuttering of the nation’s businesses triggering the worst economic downslide since the 1930s Great…

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4th Stimulus should protect Seniors

RINewsToday

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging As part of the Economic Impact Payment provision in the recently enacted $ 2.2 trillion stimulus bill, at press time about 80 million Americans have already received their $ 1,200 stimulus check ($2,400 for joint filers) through direct deposit.  But for those 70 million Americans waiting for this…

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AARP What Seniors Need to Know About COVID-19

RINewsToday

by Herb Weiss, Contributing writer on aging Twenty-four-hour programming on cable television, television networks, talk radio and newspapers report the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) across the nation. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), just days ago there were about 700 confirmed and presumed U.S. cases from 38 jurisdictions, that’s 36 states…

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Strategy for Combating Seniors’ Social Isolation and Loneliness – by Herb Weiss

RINewsToday

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging Nearly one in four older adults residing in the community are socially isolated. Seniors who are experiencing social isolation or loneliness may face a higher risk of mortality, heart disease and depression, says a newly released report from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM), a…

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3rd Time’s the Charm for Reestablishing the House Aging Committee?

RINewsToday

By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging Twenty-six years after the House Democratic Leadership’s belt-tightening efforts to save $1.5 million resulted in the termination of the House Permanent Select Committee on Aging, U.S. Congressman David N. Cicilline reintroduces legislation to reestablish the House Aging panel, active from 1974 until 1993. Initially the House panel had…

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2020 Census Impacts Programs for Older Americans

RINewsToday

2020 Census Impacts Programs and Services for Older Americans By Herb Weiss, contributing writer on aging By April 1, every home across the nation will receive an invitation from the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency, to participate in the 2020 Census. Once this invitation arrives, it’s important for you to immediately answer the short…

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Taking Charge: Collected Stories on Aging Boldly

RINewsToday

Taking Charge: Collected Stories on Aging Boldly, published in 2016, contains a collection of 79 articles covering a myriad of aging issues ranging from care giving, retirement planning to thoughts about spirituality and death. These articles are intended to empower with practical tools to live a happy, engaged and empowered during the second half of…

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