Keeping Seniors Strong: Attend Senior Agenda Coalition of RI annual legislative leaders forum

The Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island invites you to attend their annual Legislative Leaders Forum on Wednesday, March 27^th from 10:00-11:00 AM at the Plaza Ballroom, Crowne Plaza Hotel in Warwick, RI. 

The Forum is sponsored by United Healthcare. The theme for 2024 is “Keeping Seniors Strong”. The Coalition will present legislative and funding proposals important for older adults’ quality of life and programs to assist them in staying connected to the community and to live safely and affordably at home. 

The RI Speaker of the House, Joseph Shekarchi, and Senate President Dominick Ruggerio will be attending, and the group will be asking them to support their 4 priority budget requests:

Economic Security – helping with Medicare premium costs

Supports to Remain at Home – reducing wait lists for home care

Community Connections – increasing support for local Senior Centers

Housing – expanding options and access for Seniors.

The Forum will begin with a presentation of the Senior Agenda’s legislative and budget priorities for 2024 by Maureen Maigret, the Senior Agenda’s Policy Advisor. Maureen brings a wealth of both policy and political expertise to this role. She has served as Director of RI Department of Elderly Affairs, Chair of the Aging in Community Subcommittee of the RI Long Term Care Coordinating Council, and was a five term State Representative from Warwick.

The Legislative presentation will be followed by personal stories, selected in advance, from older adults, caregivers and senior care workers affected by these issues. Hearing directly from those experiencing these situations and putting a face to the critical needs is impactful to truly understand these challenges. Amplifying these narratives helps to drive attention to the priorities, helping to communicate to legislative leaders the importance of these budget requests.   

For the last portion of the Forum, legislative leaders Speaker of the House Shekarchi and Senate President Ruggerio will speak and respond to the group’s legislative requests.

How You Can Help

Attend the Forum! Bring a friend or two. A large turnout of supporters on March 27 will help ensure these issues are prominent on the agendas of legislative leaders.  

Do you have a story to share? Or know someone who would be willing to share their story about the need for these important investments in seniors?  Whether you feel comfortable speaking at the event or would like someone to share your story, they want to hear from you. Email: [email protected] or call the Coalition at (401) 451-8158.

The event is free to attend, but advanced registration is required. Register at senior-agenda-coalition-ri-legislative-forum-2024.eventbrite.com or visit the Senior Agenda’s website at www.senioragendari.org and click the registration link. You can also register by phone at (401) 451-8158.

An ASL Interpreter will be present.

It is important for legislators to hear the group’s priorities and why they are critical to the quality of life for our older adults in RI, so don’t miss this opportunity to show your support and ensure these issues are prominent on the agendas of our elected officials. The Coalition hopes to fill the Crowne Plaza Ballroom on March 27 to send a powerful message to legislative leaders that – Seniors Matter!

Join the Coalition in their mission to improve the quality of life for older adults in Rhode Island.

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