On June 12, at CCRI, there was a free, invitation-only, screening of Involuntary, a 13-minute, short film followed by a moderated panel discussion featuring award-winning filmmakers, Dana White and Chris Knoblock; Rhode Island State Representative Lauren Carson; Elizabeth Shields,MD, a family medicine physician in private-pay practice; Partanja Spann, Director of Rhode Island Outreach for Newport Mental Health; and Senior Deputy Fire Chief Michael Ferreira of the Newport Fire Department.
The panel shared insight from their respective fields, reflecting the realities they see in Rhode Island, in relation to discharges from various facilities.
In the audience were caregivers, advocates, healthcare professionals, policymakers, and community members.
My company, Age Ambassador, was one of the event organizers along with The Edward King House Senior Center, The Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island, and Age-Friendly Rhode Island. We came together with the hope of beginning a conversation that needs to happen.
I asked Lori Light, the Rhode Island State Long-Term Care Ombudsman why this conversation matters, she had this to say:
“I have seen firsthand that an involuntary discharge is not simply a change of address; it is often a moment of fear, uncertainty, and profound vulnerability. Behind every discharge is a person whose life has been disrupted. This conversation is important because no single system can solve this alone. We must come together to ensure that people are not falling through the cracks simply because they no longer fit neatly into one system of care.”
That perspective is what makes the film so powerful.
At its core, the film Involuntary is a work of art.
Sometimes, the purpose of art is not to provide answers or argue a point, but to humanize experiences we are often silent about, or don’t fully understand until we find ourselves living them. Experiences we don’t know how to begin to talk about.
In the case of Involuntary, art has a unique ability to turn up the volume, creating awareness and space for inclusive conversation. It makes a private and lonely experience visible, and transforms it into something we can acknowledge together.
It’s the making of an individual’s moment of despair that shapes a collective starting point and the point of the gathering.
So, what is an involuntary discharge?
Involuntary discharge occurs when a person must leave a care setting, often because the setting can no longer meet their needs. This can happen for a variety of reasons including changes in medical, behavioral, cognitive, financial circumstances as well as changes in insurance coverage or benefits.
For example, a hospital may determine that a patient no longer requires acute care, yet no appropriate next step is readily available. A nursing home or assisted living community may find that a person’s needs have changed beyond what it can safely provide.
Even the word “involuntary” tells us something. It points to a moment when choice narrows or disappears, often for people who are already vulnerable, and when the next step feels unclear.
Behind every involuntary discharge is a person, a family, or a person with no family at all. They are older adults, disabled veterans, neighbors, friends, and loved ones. They are people—our people—facing a very real gap in care and support. And it happens here in Rhode Island and across our country.
It’s important to recognize that those working within hospitals, nursing homes, assisted living communities and other care settings are often navigating these situations alongside families. Many feel the weight of these decisions and the human consequences that follow. Many who enter this work to help people also experience sadness and frustration when no clear or ideal solution exists.
If you have seen the film, Involuntary portrays an extreme, but not impossible, fictional account of what can happen when systems of care are stretched to their limits and no clear next step exists for either the caregiver or the person receiving care.
The issue is difficult to talk about because no one setting owns it. Involuntary discharges often occur in the spaces between systems, where responsibility can feel unclear. The film doesn’t tell us what to think or assign blame, instead it asks us to witness a powerful story unfold creating space for reflection that is difficult to achieve through reports, hearings or headlines alone.
That’s why this conversation matters.
When asked what comes next following the screening, Carol Costa, Executive Director of the Senior Agenda Coalition of Rhode Island offered this perspective:
“What is becoming more evident as this discussion broadens is the emerging revelation that systems are disjointed. The unintended consequences of those large and small fractures is people and families being faced with circumstances they’ve never even considered. The time has come to work together on policies and regulations to address these inadequacies and SACRI is ready, willing and able to be a part of crafting solutions.”
While the system we have in place today may not intend harm, the impact of individuals and families can be profound. Awareness is where change begins, not only within our systems, but within our communities.
As our population ages, the practices we tolerate today will shape the care we all experience tomorrow. This is not an abstract issue; it’s a human one. It asks each of us to notice the moments when there is no clear next step, to recognize the gaps that leave people vulnerable, and to support conversations that lead to better solutions.
Because one day, the person navigating those gaps could be someone we love—or it could be us.
To watch the 13-minute film that inspired community conversations across the country visit https://www.chrisdanafilms.com/involuntary
Helen Hames is an Aging Advisor, speaker, advocate, and Founder of Age Ambassador. She helps older adults and their families navigate the complex and emotional decisions that come with aging through personalized guidance, public speaking, and community education. Her work begins with understanding what matters most to each person before exploring the path that best aligns with their needs, preferences, and goals—whether planning to age at home or considering senior living. Helen was honored with the 2025 Senior Champion of the Year Award and a Rhode Island General Assembly Citation in recognition of her advocacy and commitment to improving the aging experience.
