Advocates for Better Care in RI

06/12/2026

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The Rhode Island Coalition for Elder Justice is proud to spotlight Lori Light, RI State Long Term Care Ombudsman, as part of our World Elder Abuse Awareness Month campaign.

Through advocacy, amplifying resident voices, and addressing concerns in long-term care settings, Lori helps ensure older adults receive safe, respectful, and person-centered care. Her work plays an important role in protecting the rights, dignity, and well-being of older adults across Rhode Island.

Thank you, Lori, for your dedication to elder justice and advocacy.

06/03/2026

Staffing instability is widely recognized as a threat to nursing home quality, and in 2022, CMS added annual staff turnover to the Nursing Home Five-Star R

06/03/2026

Free support meeting for folks with a loved one in long-term care in RI. Register today and join on Zoom 6/9!

📢 Join our Care Partner Zoom Meeting on June 9th from 7-8 pm for connection, guidance, and real-time support. A space where your voice matters, your concerns are valid, and you don’t have to face them alone.

🔗 RSVP here: bit.ly/riltcopzoomreg

04/14/2026

“At the heart of our work is a simple principle that every resident is still themselves, regardless of age, diagnosis, or setting. Our responsibility is to make sure the system never forgets that.” ❤️

Person-centered care is in the headlines a lot.   But before we had that language, care was often designed around tasks and diagnosis. Necessary, but incomplete. Over time, something important can get lost and a person’s identity can quietly be replaced by a label, shrinking the value of the ind...

04/07/2026

Free monthly support meetings for care-partners with loved ones in RI LTC facilities—register now for the next meeting 4/14!

📢 Join our Care Partner Zoom Meeting for connection, guidance, and real-time support. A space where your voice matters, your concerns are valid, and you don’t have to face them alone.

🔗 RSVP here: bit.ly/riltcopzoomreg

04/03/2026

03/31/2026

For 401Gives, a crucial lesser-known RI nonprofit that’s seriously under-funded: The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is the only independent advocate for residents of nursing homes & assisted living. They give residents a voice & change lives!

Help Kathleen Gerard's fundraiser efforts for 401 Gives 2026

03/31/2026

Every day, our Ombudsman team and volunteers step in to listen, to advocate, and to make sure residents are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

During 401Gives, you have the opportunity to stand with residents and be part of that impact.

A donation goes directly toward ensuring residents in long-term care facilities throughout the state of Rhode Island are receiving the quality of care they deserve.

Click the link in the comments below to leave a donation (and if you are unable to donate at this time, shares are greatly appreciated to spread the word!)

Together, we can help ensure residents' voices are heard. 💙

03/27/2026

📣 Join Us at the Statehouse!

Come out and meet your Rhode Island advocates! 💙

The Rhode Island State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program is hosting a Statehouse Lobby Day next week, and we invite you to be part of this important day of advocacy. Together, we’re working to ensure that legislators better understand the needs of older adults and the vital programs that support their health, dignity, and independence.

Advocacy starts with awareness. By bringing our voices and resources directly to the State House, we can help strengthen support for programs that protect residents’ rights, dignity, and quality of life.

📍 Rhode Island State House – 2nd Floor
🗓️ April 2, 2026
⏰ 3:00–5:00 PM

Come say hello, learn more, and help bring awareness directly to our state leaders!

03/19/2026

Committee hearing tonight! Email testimony to [email protected] !

The legislation would limit how long assisted living facilities could bill families after the death of a loved one.