R 199

2018 -- H 8116 Enacted 04/25/2018

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MAY 24, 2018, TO BE "AGE FRIENDLY RHODE ISLAND DAY"

Introduced By: Representatives Shekarchi, Casimiro, Regunberg, Morgan, and Ajello

Date Introduced: April 25, 2018

WHEREAS, The Rhode Island population of people aged 65 and over is expected to

grow from 151,881 in 2010, to 247,579 by 2030, increasing the total share of this population from

14.4 percent to 23 percent; and

WHEREAS, The state has the highest percent of persons age 85 years and over and this

group is projected to increase by 72 percent by 2040; and

WHEREAS, Research shows that older Americans overwhelmingly want to remain in

their own homes and communities as they age; and

WHEREAS, Access to quality healthcare, long-term supports and services, and social

supports are essential for individuals to live in their homes and communities; and

WHEREAS, The ability to get to where one needs to go is a key factor for successful

aging within a community yet research suggests that after age 70, older women may spend 10

years dependent on others for transportation and older men may spend seven years dependent,

thus creating significant challenges for these transit-dependent older adults to access healthcare

and engage in family and community life; and

WHEREAS, About one-third of older Rhode Islanders live alone which may lead to

social isolation and loneliness which in some studies, has been shown to be on a par with

smoking, high blood pressure and obesity as a predictor of early death; and

WHEREAS, Older Rhode Islanders make valuable contributions to the state's economy

and social fabric by providing hundreds of hours of volunteer service, serving as family

caregivers, making charitable contributions and remaining engaged in the workforce; and

WHEREAS, Active aging is a life-long process and journey, whereby age-friendly

communities and states are not just "elder-friendly" but also intended to be friendly for all ages;

and

WHEREAS, The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed a Global Network of

Age- Friendly Cities and Communities to encourage and promote public policies to increase the

number of cities and communities that support healthy aging and thereby improve the health,

well-being, satisfaction, and quality of life for older Americans; and

WHEREAS, Working under the auspices of the WHO and the AARP Network of Age-

Friendly Communities, 231 communities across the country and two states, New York and

Massachusetts, are working to become Age-Friendly; and

WHEREAS, Legislation enacted in 2014 established the Aging in Community

Subcommittee of the Long Term Care Coordinating Council which issued a report and Strategic

Plan leading to the creation of the Age-Friendly Rhode Island Coalition whose vision is to build a

state that enables Rhode Islanders to live independently with the care, support, and resources

needed to foster health, well-being, social connectedness, and a meaningful life as they age; and

WHEREAS, Age-Friendly Rhode Island Coalition work groups are focusing on nine

domains of livability: Transportation, Housing, Civic and Community Engagement,

Communication and Information, Healthcare Access, Supports at Home, Food Security and

Nutrition, Economic Security and Outdoor Spaces and Public Buildings; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims May 24th, 2018, as "Age Friendly Rhode Island Day";

and be it further

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives hereby supports the work of the Rhode

Island Age-Friendly Coalition including local efforts initiated by municipalities and volunteer

groups and furthermore encourages the Governor and state agencies to join in supporting this

work; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Governor Gina M. Raimondo and Jody Shue,

Executive Director of the Age-Friendly Rhode Island Coalition.

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LC005543

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