October 20, 2009

Saint Elizabeth Community Announces Launch of
Saint Elizabeth Haven
    Providing a safe haven for elderly victims of abuse

<East Greenwich, RI>   Saint Elizabeth Community introduced today a new program called Saint Elizabeth Haven that will provide a safe haven for some elderly victims of abuse, within its current residences.  Steven J. Horowitz, President & CEO of Saint Elizabeth Community stated today, “sadly enough, elder abuse is on the rise in the United States, and here in Rhode Island, private and state agencies sometimes need a safe haven for an elderly victim of abuse.”

“Saint Elizabeth Community is committed to being that safe haven for elders and will work with those already on the front lines of elder abuse,” announced Horowitz. We are working collaboratively with the following partner agencies/organizations:

Brown University’s Center for Gerontology & Health Care Research
Child and Family Service of Newport County
Day One
Domestic Violence Resource Center of South County
The Elizabeth Buffum Chace Center
Family Service of Rhode Island
Meals on Wheels
Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence
Rhode Island Department of Elderly Affairs
Rhode Island Department of Human Services
Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office
Sojourner House
Westbay Community Action
Women’s Center of Rhode Island
Women’s Resource Center of Newport & Bristol Counties

Referrals to Saint Elizabeth Haven must come from one of the partner agencies and the criteria for admission includes: 
      60+ years of age
      in need of a stay for no longer than 30 days
      an elderly victim of abuse

Referrals will be reviewed by a team of professionals and some referrals may not be appropriate for Saint Elizabeth Haven.  Saint Elizabeth Haven is not a homeless shelter, nor is it an appropriate setting for victims of self neglect.

Saint Elizabeth Haven is modeled after the first safe haven for elderly victims of abuse in the United States, The Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Abused Elders at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale, New York. 

The Saint Elizabeth Community is a non-profit, non-sectarian charitable organization that has been providing quality care to older adults and those with physical disabilities since its founding in 1882.  With eight locations in Rhode Island, The Saint Elizabeth Community offers a full range of personalized services tailored to meet individual’s medical, social, emotional and physical needs.  Saint Elizabeth Community offers a continuum of care that includes independent apartments, adult day services, affordable assisted living, and skilled nursing and rehab care.  Each person is treated with compassion and respect from qualified Saint Elizabeth Community professionals who treat them just like family.

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