BY: CHRIS HOGAN
On Monday [June 6], the Pilgrim Senior Center held a meeting with the Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs (DEA) and the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island to discuss plans for the fiscal years 2012-2015.
There were specific goals that both departments presented to the small group to get their opinions and advice on some of the areas that were going to be implemented in the new plan.
Representing the DEA was chief program developer Rhonda Schwartz. Bill Flynn represented the Senior Agenda Coalition. Flynn, the executive director of the coalition, said that one of the biggest needs of the elderly is transportation. Called the Independent Transportation Network (ITN), Flynn said the new network is a pay-as-you-go format and it would be a more convenient way of getting around than RIPTA, or on the “RIde” shuttles and certainly cheaper than a taxi.
“This [service] would be for non-critical needs and would be less of a fee,” Flynn said. “It would be part of having volunteer and paid drivers.”
He said that the ITN program started in Portland, Maine and is used in 20 cities since 2005.
Schwartz said the DEA is currently focusing on long-term counseling for the elderly. She said training sessions are happening regionally and nationally and she mentioned it is an area that they want to improve on.
Another topic discussed was Meals on Wheels. Warwick resident Paul McNeil said his doctors and nutritionists told him that the meals weren’t nutritional enough. He said they contained too much starch and mentioned delivery was not always suitable for him.
“They are suppose to deliver from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and sometimes their arrangements aren’t fair since most people, during that time, are busy and not always home,” McNeil said. “Sometimes they call me at 3 in the afternoon saying, ‘Why weren’t you at home?’ and ‘You missed our delivery?’” He said that troubled him. He said the program should help the elderly in a more effective manner.
Flynn said he would like to see improved caregivers support programs. He said online information regarding health issues and available services and more support for the elderly.
All the comments that were submitted to the DEA office will be considered according to Schwartz. The new plan will be submitted by June 30 and will go into effect on Oct. 1.
“The director will look at the comments and they will be reviewed at the highest level,” she said. “They will consider how the responses could work best and how the changes will be effective.”
To contact the Senior Agenda Coalition, their office is at 133 Matthewson St. in Providence. You can call 274-6900 or email at senioragendari@yahoo.com. To contact the DEA, visit their office at 74 West Rd., Hazard Building in Cranston, or call 462-3000 or visit www.dea.ri.gov.
There were specific goals that both departments presented to the small group to get their opinions and advice on some of the areas that were going to be implemented in the new plan.
Representing the DEA was chief program developer Rhonda Schwartz. Bill Flynn represented the Senior Agenda Coalition. Flynn, the executive director of the coalition, said that one of the biggest needs of the elderly is transportation. Called the Independent Transportation Network (ITN), Flynn said the new network is a pay-as-you-go format and it would be a more convenient way of getting around than RIPTA, or on the “RIde” shuttles and certainly cheaper than a taxi.
“This [service] would be for non-critical needs and would be less of a fee,” Flynn said. “It would be part of having volunteer and paid drivers.”
He said that the ITN program started in Portland, Maine and is used in 20 cities since 2005.
Schwartz said the DEA is currently focusing on long-term counseling for the elderly. She said training sessions are happening regionally and nationally and she mentioned it is an area that they want to improve on.
Another topic discussed was Meals on Wheels. Warwick resident Paul McNeil said his doctors and nutritionists told him that the meals weren’t nutritional enough. He said they contained too much starch and mentioned delivery was not always suitable for him.
“They are suppose to deliver from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and sometimes their arrangements aren’t fair since most people, during that time, are busy and not always home,” McNeil said. “Sometimes they call me at 3 in the afternoon saying, ‘Why weren’t you at home?’ and ‘You missed our delivery?’” He said that troubled him. He said the program should help the elderly in a more effective manner.
Flynn said he would like to see improved caregivers support programs. He said online information regarding health issues and available services and more support for the elderly.
All the comments that were submitted to the DEA office will be considered according to Schwartz. The new plan will be submitted by June 30 and will go into effect on Oct. 1.
“The director will look at the comments and they will be reviewed at the highest level,” she said. “They will consider how the responses could work best and how the changes will be effective.”
To contact the Senior Agenda Coalition, their office is at 133 Matthewson St. in Providence. You can call 274-6900 or email at senioragendari@yahoo.com. To contact the DEA, visit their office at 74 West Rd., Hazard Building in Cranston, or call 462-3000 or visit www.dea.ri.gov.
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