Newsroom

Moving into a new home is always a challenge. For seniors, there's more to consider beforehand. The transition into smaller homes or senior living arrangements often leads to a need to store a houseful of furniture and a lifetime's worth of keepsakes. Here are some of the things you should look for when choosing a storage facility for seniors:

• Flexible pricing, or even a veteran's discount, can be helpful for seniors moving on a budget. Flexibility is important as seniors may move items out of storage once they settled in their new homes. The option for a monthly rental instead of a fixed-term lease is also recommended.
• Valet service, free or discounted truck delivery will make the move easier

What are the warning sights to watch out for?

• Rigid pricing or unit policies that impose a one-size-fits-all approach to senior storage
• Long-term lease requirements that force seniors to rent more space than they're likely to need in the near future
• Inadequate security at the site, given the cash value of expensive items and heirlooms that are being stored
• Restricted access or bad site layouts, which can make it difficult for movers to get close to the unit when moving bulky items such as couches
• Poorly sealed units that are not ventilated or climate-managed, which can expose irreplaceable items to moisture, mold and other hazards
• Puddles of water inside public areas of the building, which indicate that leaks might be present within the units themselves.

You can learn more about finding the best storage options for your needs here.

CareBreaks Program

The Diocese of Providence CareBreaks Program offers a program of respite services to the primary caregivers of eligible individuals through Information, Referral and Service Coordination, and a respite break. This is a cost-sharing program with services available on a statewide basis.

CareBreaks provides short-term relief to primary caregivers who care for a friend or loved one on a day-to-day basis. Respite breaks for a primary caregiver are often necessary to allow that person to continue providing care over a long period of time. CareBreaks allows the primary caregiver time off either to take a vacation, shop, attend to personal business, or just rest.

The objectives of CareBreaks are:

• to preserve maximum independence of the care recipient and the primary caregiver by preventing or postponing institutionalization of the care recipient;
• provide the least restrictive lifestyle for both the care recipient and primary caregiver;
• and to maintain or improve the quality of life of both the care recipient and primary caregiver.

Services and offerings: Powerful Tools for Caregivers

Catholic Social Services of Rhode Island offers the Powerful Tools for Caregivers training program, to give you the skills to take care of yourself while caring for someone else. By taking care of your own health and well-being, you become a better caregiver. Classes are led by experienced class leaders in both English and Spanish. In six weekly classes, currently virtual, caregivers develop a wealth of self-care tools to:

• reduce personal stress;
• change negative self-talk;
• communicate their needs to family members and healthcare or service providers;
• communicate effectively in challenging situations;
• recognize the messages in their emotions, deal with difficult feelings;
• and make tough caregiving decisions.

Class participants also receive a copy of The Caregiver Helpbook, developed specifically for the class.

• Register for a Powerful Tools for Caregivers class:

Contact Jan Vargas at 401-421-7833 Ext. 202 or JVargas@dioceseofprovidence.org

Nursing School Respite

In addition to the Diocese’s cost sharing program for respite, respite services are available free of charge by junior and senior level nursing students from RIC, URI (pediatric clients only), CCRI, and Salve Regina University. The program is designed to provide respite for caregivers of children and adults who have long-term disabilities or complex medical needs and require the help of a care provider in order to remain at home. The program has been functioning since 2016 through CareBreaks, the participating colleges, and the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging. It has provided an innovative addition to the ways in which home care is provided in RI. An option to access the nursing student program is included on the general application for respite services.

• Register for the Nursing Student Program:

Contact Ann McCarthy at 401-421-7833 Ext. 209 or AMcCarthy@dioceseofprovidence.org

For More Information

• Visit our website: www.dioceseofprovidence.org
  • Contact Hector M. Munoz, CareBreaks Coordinator at 401-421-7833 Ext. 212
• Apply for respite services:
  • Call Catholic Social Services of RI at 401-421-7833 Ext. 212
  • Download an application from our website: www.dioceseofprovidence.org
  • Mail completed application with the required documentation:

CareBreaks

Catholic Social Services

One Cathedral Square

Providence, RI 02903

The Boston Globe

"Advocates, including Kristina Brown, program officer of housing and economic policy for United Way of Rhode Island, say a voluntary RISavers program could be one way to help private sector workers save for retirement without creating new costs for employers."

READ ON SITE

The Rhode Show

With 401Gives returning in April, many are looking ahead at various ways they can give back to help so many in need. Joining us on 'The Rhode Show'... with more information and to discuss how we can increase philanthropy in The Ocean State were Annie Becker, President, REALTOR® Foundation: Rhode Island, and Jennifer Remmes, Director of Resource Operations, United Way.

VIEW ON SITE

WPRI

"The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program connects those who qualify with someone who can help them prepare and file their taxes... Rhode Islanders interested in finding the nearest location and making an appointment can check online or call 211."

VIEW ON SITE