Alliance for Better Long Term Care

10/08/2026

💙 Have a loved one in long-term care? You don’t have to navigate it alone!
Join the RI State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program on Tuesday, October 13th, for a FREE virtual support meeting to connect, ask questions, and learn about valuable resources available to you. Please share with anyone who may benefit! 💛

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1PWqefNpjr/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Join us on Tuesday, October 13th at 7 pm via Zoom for a chance to meet your long-term care advocates and learn about resources that are available.

Sign up to receive the meeting link here:
https://alliancebltc.org/2023/09/26/long-term-care-ombudsman-program-zoom-family-meeting

09/28/2026

Your time can change a life. ❤️
There are nursing home residents right here in Rhode Island who have few visitors and some who have no one coming through the door just to see them.

Our Friendly Visitors Program is looking for caring, dependable volunteers to provide something simple but incredibly meaningful companionship, conversation, and connection.
No special experience is needed. We provide the training and ongoing support.

Could you be someone’s Friendly Visitor? ❤️

👇 Ready to volunteer? The application link is in the comments!

💬 Have questions or want more information? Comment “VOLUNTEER” below and we’ll reach out.

Please share... someone you know may be exactly who we’re looking for.

09/16/2026

The Guardian You Probably Haven’t Heard That Is Protecting RI’s Aging Population - Lori Light, RI State Long Term Care Ombudsman and Carol Anne Costa, Executive Director Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island.

"We need to make the word Ombudsman a household name in Rhode Island. If you or a loved one are navigating long-term care, know that you are not alone, and you have advocates in your corner."


https://www.golocalprov.com/news/the-guardian-you-probably-havent-heard-that-is-protecting-ris-aging-population-lori-light-and-carol-anne-costa?fbclid=IwY2xjawUXfapwZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAGJyaWQRMWxNclI2dEZYWk5zSUI5OHpzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeYkunURKO53tJFCTvwlNQAf292RFyKGBQNlGwxTbyiKDG7fwltiCPIcFZVUQ_aem_AIrqamcZZRuPxa1Un0TOqQ

GoLocalProv.com is the “go to” local Web experience that breaks the biggest local stories – sports, news, business, weather, news, politics, arts,…

09/04/2026

❤️ Calling All Volunteers!

Sometimes, the greatest gift you can give is simply your time.

The Alliance for Better Long Term Care is looking for compassionate volunteers to join our Friendly Visitors Program, connecting volunteers with nursing home residents who may have few visitors or limited opportunities for social interaction.

As a Friendly Visitor, you might spend time talking, listening to stories, playing cards or games, reading, or simply enjoying each other’s company.

No experience needed. Training and support are provided.

A simple visit can reduce loneliness, create a meaningful connection, and truly brighten someone’s day.

❤️ Small visits. Big difference.

Ready to become a Friendly Visitor?

👉 Apply here:
https://alliancebltc.org/alliance-volunteer-application/

Please share this post and help us spread the word throughout Rhode Island!

07/22/2026

A recent audit that was conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General resulted in findings that indicate reports from nursing homes have discrepancies.

Why this matters:
✔️ Nursing home staffing data is used to calculate public quality ratings.
✔️ Families rely on this information when selecting a nursing home.
✔️ Regulators use staffing information to help oversee resident safety and quality of care.

Accurate and transparent reporting is essential to ensuring residents, families, and consumers can make informed decisions about long-term care.

Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (OIG)

06/10/2026

Thank you to Lori and her team for their hard work and dedication.

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.

05/10/2026

04/14/2026

We’re proud to see the RI State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program featured in this recent article, and to see Lori Light helping bring this important work into the spotlight.

Thank you to Helen Hames, Certified Senior Advisor and Founder of Age Ambassador, for capturing the essence of the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program and helping raise awareness about the vital role it plays in supporting residents, families, and providers.

There is still so much work to do to ensure people understand their rights and the resources available to them - and this kind of visibility truly matters.

Read more:
https://whatsupnewp.com/2026/04/beyond-the-labels-how-the-rhode-island-state-ombudsman-helps-keep-the-person-at-the-center-of-care/

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.....