*By Carol Anne Costa, Executive Director, SACRI*

Influence has become one of the most overused words of our time. We associate it with the worlds that live on our phones and laptops. Floods of viral videos, social-media personalities, product endorsements, and often whacky trends. Too often, it is trite. But not all influencers are superficial, many offer terrific advice and are pretty open with their followers. We appreciate them!  That is why u/Rhodyfamily is the keynote at our conference (we’ll get back to that later).

But influence, at its best, is neither shallow nor trite. It is the power, drive and creativity to move an idea into action, to bring attention to a need, to organize people around a purpose, to educate folks on how to advocate for themselves toward a goal and ultimately impact humans where they are.

For more than two decades, SACRI has been the OG of influencers for older adults, using old fashioned methods and producing results. Since the early 2000s, SACRI has worked alongside older Rhode Islanders, advocates, caregivers, community organizations, policymakers, and service providers to influence the public conversation and the public policies that determine whether people can age with health, security, dignity, and independence.

It is fair to say SACRI was an influencer before the term became part of our everyday vocabulary. Policy improvements, legislative action, increased funding and building meaningful relationships are the evidence of the impact of SACRI’s mission, and determination toward bolstering healthy aging in the Ocean State.

Remainder of article:  [https://rinewstoday.com/time-for-older-adults-to-help-shape-what-comes-next-senior-agenda-coalition-of-ri-carol-anne-costa/](https://rinewstoday.com/time-for-older-adults-to-help-shape-what-comes-next-senior-agenda-coalition-of-ri-carol-anne-costa/)

Time for Older Adults to Help Shape What Comes Next - Senior Agenda Coalition of RI