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Free personalized senior living guidance for families
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Rhode Island · Everything here is free · Reviewed July 2026
If you're an older Rhode Islander worried about affording care, or you're helping a parent who is, please take a breath. When paid senior living is out of reach, Rhode Island still has free and low-cost programs built to help, including care that comes to you at home.
Not sure where to start? Call for free1-401-462-4444Run by the Rhode Island Office of Healthy Aging, this is your one-stop line for in-home care, meals, caregiver support, and local services. Available around the clock.
This page is for people who have Medicare, Medicaid (Rhode Island Medicaid), or both, and who can't pay privately for senior living. Everything here is free to call and free to use.
You don't need to know how it all works before you call. Start with one phone call and let a friendly voice guide you to the next step.
Tap what fits. You'll jump straight to the right help — no reading through the rest.
Still not sure? Just make the call above — they'll help you figure it out. One call is a great start.
Start here for most families
Most seniors want to stay in their own home, and Rhode Island Medicaid has programs to help.
Call and ask about long-term services and supports.
Call and ask about long-term services and supports.
Rhode Island Medicaid can also help cover the cost of care in some assisted living settings for people who qualify (the care portion, though not always full room and board). This is worth asking about directly.
Rhode Island Medicaid provides health coverage to people with limited income, including many seniors. For older adults, it can cover doctor visits, hospital care, prescriptions, and long-term care, both in nursing homes and, through Long-Term Services and Supports, in your own home.
To qualify, your income and savings need to be under certain limits. These limits change every year, and there are special rules for married couples and for people who need long-term care. Please don't rule yourself out. Let them check for you.
For most senior and long-term care Medicaid.
For health-coverage Medicaid, you can also contact HealthSource RI.
Apply online, or get free help through THE POINT.
If you're applying because you need long-term care, say so when you call. The long-term care rules differ from regular Medicaid, and staff can guide you to the right application.
PACE is a wonderful option for people who need nursing-home level care but want to keep living at home. One coordinated team handles everything: doctors, medicine, therapy, meals, and rides to appointments. For people with both Medicare and Medicaid, PACE is usually free.
Rhode Island has the PACE Organization of Rhode Island, based in Providence, which serves much of the state.
Call to check availability and learn more about PACE.
PACE Organization of Rhode Island
Based in Providence; contact them directly to learn more.
Find a PACE program
Search the National PACE Association directory to learn more.
If you're on Medicare
If Medicare's monthly cost is straining your budget, two programs can bring real relief. Many people who qualify never enroll because no one told them.
Call to apply, or let SHIP help you.
Let SHIP help you apply for a Medicare Savings Program.
Apply for the prescription drug subsidy through Social Security.
If Medicare feels overwhelming, Rhode Island's SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program) offers free, one-on-one counseling with no sales pitch. It's run through the Office of Healthy Aging.
Counselors can help you understand what Medicare covers and what it costs, compare Medicare drug and Medicare Advantage plans, enroll in programs that lower your Medicare costs, and sort out a bill or a denied claim.
Free, unbiased Medicare counseling. You can also reach a counselor through THE POINT at 1-401-462-4444. It's free.
Everyday essentials
Food benefits added to a card for the grocery store. Apply through the DHS Call Center or online.
Meals on Wheels and senior center meals are available through the Office of Healthy Aging.
Dial 211 to find a food pantry near you.
Help finding senior housing and rental assistance.
HUD-subsidized senior apartments
Rent based on your income. Find them at hud.gov or by dialing 211.
LIHEAP (heating bill help)
Ask about LIHEAP, which helps pay heating bills, through 211 or your local Community Action agency.
Guidance & protection
In Rhode Island, the state Office of Healthy Aging serves as the statewide aging agency, and THE POINT is its front door for older adults, families, and people with disabilities. THE POINT arranges home-delivered meals, in-home care information, caregiver support, transportation, and more, much of it free or based on your ability to pay.
One call connects you to the full range of local services.
Rhode Island Legal Services
Free civil legal help for low-income seniors. Also reachable by dialing 211.
Call the Office of Healthy Aging's elder abuse line through THE POINT. In an emergency, call 911.
If a loved one lives in a nursing home or assisted living and something isn't right, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman is a free advocate who works for the resident. They investigate complaints and protect residents' rights.
Rhode Island's Long-Term Care Ombudsman, a free advocate for residents. You can also reach help through THE POINT at 1-401-462-4444.
Find your local ombudsman
A national directory to find your local long-term care ombudsman.
A free local helpline for food, housing, bills, and more.
A free federal service connecting you to trusted help for older adults anywhere.
Make one call. Start with THE POINT at 1-401-462-4444 and describe your situation in plain words.
Call for free1-401-462-4444It's Rhode Island's Medicaid program, providing free or low-cost health coverage to people with limited income, including many seniors. It covers long-term care both at home and in nursing homes.
Generally, no. Medicare doesn't pay assisted living rent and only covers short nursing home stays after a hospital visit. For ongoing long-term care, look to Rhode Island Medicaid, which can help cover care in some assisted living settings.
Yes. Every program here is free or based on what you can afford. Some, like the Medicare Savings Programs, actually put money back in your pocket each month.
Very likely. The Medicare Savings Programs can pay your Part B premium (about $185 a month). Call the DHS Call Center at 1-855-697-4347 or SHIP at 1-888-884-8721 to apply.
Care at home brings an aide or nurse to you so you can stay in your own place. A nursing home provides 24-hour care in a facility. Rhode Island's home-based programs and PACE are built to help people stay home when it's safe.
Yes. THE POINT (1-401-462-4444) exists for exactly this, and SHIP (1-888-884-8721) handles Medicare questions. You don't have to do it alone.
Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness. The people who answer these lines want to help you or your loved one live safely and with dignity. Please make that first call today.
Program details, income limits, and contact information can change. The agencies linked above can confirm the most current specifics for your situation. This page is for general information and isn't legal or financial advice.
Last reviewed: July 2026. Program details, income limits, and contact information can change — the linked agencies confirm the most current specifics.