Division of Elderly Affairs

A recent report from Massachusetts shows the number of cases of elderly abuse is on the rise. Experts attribute that to the state’s opioid addiction crisis, which leads some addicts to take financial advantage of or abuse older family members.

For this week’s The Pulse, we speak with Division of Elderly Affairs Director Charles Fogarty to learn how Rhode Island could be facing a similar problem.

Lt. Gov. Elizabeth Roberts toured the state with an all-volunteer work group for a number of listening sessions to get a better sense of what’s available to those suffering from dementia and their caregivers.

They also wanted to hear about what more can be done to help residents with Alzheimer’s and dementia.

Rhode Island has the largest percentage of people age 85 and older in the nation, and the number is only going to grow as baby boomers begin to join that group. This week, Rhode Island Public Radio takes an in-depth look at older Rhode Islanders in a new series we’re calling The Silver Boom: Aging in Rhode Island.  To start us off, RIPR Morning Edition Host Elisabeth Harrison spoke with Catherine Taylor, Director of the State Division of Elderly Affairs.