- CMS Home & Community Based Services Health and Welfare Visit Results Now Available
Since 2019, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) began conducting state site visits that focus on the health and welfare of individuals receiving home and community-based services (HCBS) provided under a 1915(c) Medicaid waiver. CMS visited New Hampshire in May 2024 and met with a diverse group of individuals, stakeholders, providers and state staff. You can read CMS’ Health & Welfare Site Visit Summary Report on New Hampshire, along with other state’s visit summary reports, that includes strengths and promising practices, challenges and recommendations to enhance the ability to safeguard health and welfare for individuals receiving HCBS services.
Administrative Rules Updates:
Recent General Memos/Policy Release and Forms:
24-17 (PR) Update to Options User Request Forms
24-16 (PR) Nutrition Services Incentive Program (NSIP)
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Provider Check-in on the 4th Tuesday of Every Month
View the BAAS Adult & Aging Care page for upcoming meeting details.
Please send email to BAAS@dhhs.nh.gov if you have any questions or want more information.
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Team HHS Makes a Splash at NAMI Walks
Pictured from left to right (or shortest to tallest 😊): Wendi Aultman, Bureau Chief, Adult and Aging Services, Melissa Hardy, Director, Division of Long Term Supports and Services, Jessica Gorton, Bureau Chief, Developmental Services.
On Sunday October 6, 2024, Division of Long Term Supports and Services staff supported the National Alliance for Mental Illness NH (NAMI NH) as part of Team HHS (Helping, Healing, Serving), which included some 200 DHHS staff members and guests.
As many of you may already know, the National Alliance for Mental Illness NH (NAMI NH) works to improve the quality of life for all by providing support, education and advocacy for people affected by mental illness and suicide. With a theme of “Mental Health for All,” the NAMI Walks help NAMI NH raise funds for the organization’s free, top-rated mental health programs; to promote awareness of mental health and erase stigma; and to build community and let people know they are not alone.
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A Few of the Impacts of Ageism
- Older individuals with more positive self-perceptions of aging live 7.5 years longer than those with a less positive perception of aging. Also, higher optimism has been associated with a more positive self-perception of aging, which can lead to positive health consequences.
- “The single most important factor in determining longevity—more important than gender, income, social background, loneliness or functional health—is how people think about and approach the idea of old age.” Dr. Becca Lev
- AARP estimated $850 billion in lost gains to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as a result of involuntary retirement, underemployment, and unemployment among older workers.
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Here are some simple steps you can take today:
- Have a conversation about ageism
- Disrupt an ageist joke – call it out!
- Send an age-positive birthday card
- Make connections: Call an older person in your life
- Address ageism when you see it – write letters to the editor when articles stereotype or marginalize older people; write to television stations about offensive anti-aging ads.
- Tell someone about the benefits of age-positivity
- Be aware of about the age stereotypes you see around you
November is National Family Caregivers Month
In support of National Family Caregivers Month, the NH Alliance for Healthy Aging is joining with partners across the state to raise awareness of the important role and needs of family caregivers through collectively sharing information about events, resources, and activities to support caregivers. Partners are encouraged to schedule events throughout the week of November 18th.
Organizations interested in having their celebrations acknowledged through media outreach or interested in learning more should reach out to Jennifer Rabalais at Jennifer.Rabalais@unh.edu.
 The U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) developed this video, highlighting the "faces of caregiving"—individual family caregiver stories demonstrating the complex and demanding responsibilities that they take on. Share it with your network and celebrate the faces of millions of parents, partners, spouses, adult and minor children, friends, and neighbors who provide billions of dollars in unpaid assistance to older adults.
What else can I do to support family caregivers?
While National Family Caregivers Month is an annual observance, one that NCOA is proud to support, we also work in support of ACL's national strategy to support family caregivers of all ages. Learn more about ACL's National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers, including information about the goals and intended outcomes, four key principles to improve support for family caregivers, information on how to promote this work, and the actions individuals, organizations, and communities can take.
 Do you know a Direct Care Worker?
The NH Alliance for Healthy Aging’s Direct Care Workforce Workgroup is hosting a day for Direct Care Workers on November 8th. The day will include; special guest speakers, self-care activities, networking, recognition and gifts, raffles and giveaways. Please share this flyer with a direct worker you know.
 
- Housing Options and Needs for Older Adults in NH
The NH Alliance for Healthy Aging (NHAHA) has housing and zoning as one of its 5 priorities in creating communities that support all of us as we age. In order to establish strategies that advance housing solutions, we invite you to share your feedback on the landscape of housing needs for older adults and/or individuals with disabilities in NH.
Take the survey HERE
- Improving Access to High-Speed Internet
AARP is looking to sponsor projects that can help to bring high-speed internet access to older adults in New Hampshire. This could be improving access to devices, training and assistance to help people learn how to use the devices so that they can take advantage of all that the internet has to offer, providing other training related to internet use, or other efforts.
AARP has the ability to offer a few organizations $1,500 to sponsor specific activities that can be completed in 2024. Organizations should submit a brief proposal describing the project by the end of October.
Contact Christina FitzPatrick at CFitzpatrick@aarp.org
- Sign Up For Coffee and Caregiving Conversations!
The NH Alliance for Healthy Aging (NHAHA) Caregiving Workgroup invites you to join us for our next “Coffee and Caregiving Conversation” on Friday, November 22nd from 8:30 – 10:00am, in-person only at the Foundation for Healthy Communities, 125 Airport Road, Concord, NH. This forum is intended to create an open dialogue between organizations supporting caregivers in NH to share knowledge, leverage each other’s work and share resources. At the coming meeting, there will be a short presentation; Caregivers, stress, and the holidays followed by sharing, networking, and discussion.
Please register by November 21st to participate:
https://unh.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bda2RzIC6XX4Fh4
If you have any questions about the event, please contact Jennifer Rabalais at Jennifer.Rabalais@unh.edu.
The Walk With Ease Program is an Arthritis Foundation program offered free of charge to help people start working and stay active.
The program is designed to:
• Reduce pain and discomfort
• Increase strength and balance
• Build confidence
• Improve overall health
To learn more, please contact Carli Polanco at CPolanco@snhahec.org
Did You Know
Relay New Hampshire wants the community to know about Relay Conference Captioning (RCC), a no cost service available to NH residents who are deaf and hard of hearing that enables closed captioning for conferences via a webinar or conference call.
To learn more, please visit https://relaynewhampshire.com/conference-captioning/rcc/
NHAHA Advocacy Meeting
Monday, November 4, 2024
9:30 AM
Via ZOOM
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/84525087270?from=addon
The NHAHA Advocacy Team invites the Community to join its monthly ZOOM meetings. To learn more, please contact Martha McLeod at mmcleod@new-futures.org.
SAVE THE DATE!
The NH Alliance For Healthy Aging is busy planning its December meeting. Save the date of Wednesday, December 18th. The meeting will take place at Northeast Delta Dental in Concord from 9:00-11:30 AM with an optional lunch to follow. Details to come!
Painting Workshop for Caregivers
Friday, November 15, 2024
10:30 AM – 12:00 PM
CVNA Community Room
178 Farmington Rd.
Rochester, NH
Cornerstone VNA is offering a free painting workshop for caregivers during National Family Caregivers Month! Participants will have the chance to create their own folk art on wood all while enjoying traditional music. All past, present and future family caregivers are welcome.
For more information and registration details visit https://cornerstonevna.org/arts-workshop/
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NH Caregiver's Conference
Wednesday, November 13, 2024
Grappone Conference Center
Concord, NH
The 18th Annual New Hampshire Caregiver's Conference will be held on November 13th at the Grappone Conference Center in Concord. The conference will include keynote speaker Susan McKeown will present on "Introducing the Balance Wheel and Determining What Areas of Life Might Need Some Attention,” along with workshops, exhibitors, complimentary reiki and massage, and more!
For more information and registration details visit https://coalitionofcaring.org/register
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