Are you one of the nearly 190,000 Rhode Islanders over age 65? You are in good company; you are part of the fastest growing population in the Ocean State.
I’m excited to introduce you to Rhode Island’s Office of Healthy Aging (OHA). We are your partner and funded with your tax dollars. OHA creates policies and programs to support your goals for aging and supporting your independence. OHA is a state agency which exists to help you find the information you need - when you need it.
So, each month you can look to this place, this column, to learn more about the important role OHA plays in advocating for older adults, adults living with disabilities, and caregivers. Our mission is to provide you with the resources needed to live with dignity, security, and achieve maximum independence for your desired quality of life.
How we each choose to age — or grow old — is just that, a choice which looks different for each and every one of us. The team at OHA works as advocates and connectors, educators and protectors, for all our aging Rhode Islanders. Rhode Island has a larger than average older adult population.
Eighteen percent of our neighbors are over the age of 65, and nearly 40 percent of the state’s population is 50 or older. We’ve built relationships with other state agencies and community partners to identify where each of our strengths and obligations lie.
As a third generation Rhode Islander, I know the Ocean State is a great place to grow up. It is also a great place to grow old. Part of what makes it great is our state’s commitment to create support systems to allow people to thrive as they age. The team at OHA, alongside our community partners, works to create a Rhode Island that not only meets the basic needs of older adults but also ensures their full participation in society, in their communities, as they age. We must embrace each other through different stages of life and different times of need. Supporting older adults living in our communities’ benefits everyone. Elders enrich society and contribute to our collective well-being.
We all know, or are, someone who is an older adult, an adult with a disability, or has taken on caregiving duties. The work of our office touches everyone in the state. By helping older adults, we honor their lives and help them age with purpose and dignity.
As you have aged, no doubt you have made plans. You’ve thought about where you’ll work, and for how long; where you’ll live; how you’ll spend your time; and who you’ll spend your time with. There are many challenges to planning. You may not know your options or how to pursue your goals. You may not know the resources available to you. What may be more challenging, however, is when an unexpected event disrupts your plans. That’s where the work of the Office of Healthy Aging can provide a compass.
You are not alone.
Whether you want to improve or maintain your physical health, learn something new, navigate dementia care, transportation resources or need support as you care for your loved ones, each month we’ll highlight different resources and opportunities to be sure that you continue to live as you desire.
Imagine the diversity of interest and need of the 190,000 older adults in RI.
We have an obligation and are determined to be accessible and responsive to the needs of our aging adults. That means future months we may highlight services for those who are homebound, opportunities to engage your community, programs focusing on physical accessibility, or multi-lingual or LGBTQ seniors.
But this month, I leave you with the most important resource. Rhode Island’s Aging and Disability Resource Center is the best first call to ask your questions and get answers, 401-462-4444. Learn more about our Office at oha.ri.gov, or pop into your local senior center.
Maria Cimini is the director of the Rhode Island Office of
Healthy Aging.
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