BAAS Helps 5th-Graders with Project Focused on Assisting Older Adults
 The Bureau of Adult and Aging Services (BAAS) recently had the wonderful opportunity to meet with a group of enthusiastic 5th graders from Webster Elementary School in Webster, New Hampshire. These bright students are working on an inspiring research-based exhibition project focused on how people can better assist older adults in our communities — a cause they are truly passionate about.
During their visit, Bureau Chief Wendi Aultman and Thom O'Connor, Administrator of Community Based Programs, met with students to answer their thoughtful questions. The students were eager to learn more about how the BAAS supports individuals as they age and explored creative ways that young people can contribute to these vital efforts. Their interest and dedication bring hope for a stronger, more caring community for all generations!
  Foundation for Seacoast Health's 2025 Strategic Grant Cycle focused on Healthy Aging is open for applications, closing on April 25.
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 Welcome to this week’s “AHA Moments,” a weekly news flash regarding key events, happenings, articles, and other relevant information for our stakeholders.
Who is Experiencing Poverty in the Granite State?
According to a newly released brief by the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, the most recent data from 2019-2023 shows that older adults now represent a larger percentage of the population living in poverty compared to ten years prior. During the 2019-2023 period, older adults made up around 20% of the total population living with poverty-level incomes; from 2009-2013, older adults made up half that number, at 10.1%. While the poverty rate among older adults has remained similar, more older adults are living in poverty now compared to previous years.
Explore the Report
Supporting Volunteer Driver Programs Across the State
With 87% of NH communities lacking public transit, volunteer driver programs (VDPs) play an important role in filling transportation gaps for older adults across the state. Together with its partners, the AHA Transportation Workgroup created a volunteer driver initiative to support VDPs.
Learn How to Start a Volunteer Driver Program
Keeping Kidneys Healthy
The fastest-growing noncommunicable disease in the United States isn't diabetes or hypertension, but chronic kidney disease, a condition affecting nearly 40% of people 65 and older. Yet, despite its prevalence, about nine in 10 of those affected — including one in three with advanced-stage disease— are unaware they have it.
Learn about ways to keep your kidneys healthy and how the National Kidney Foundation Serving New England is empowering local communities to improve their kidney health here.
Aging in a Changing Climate – A Virtual Summit
The Maine Council on Aging is holding a virtual summit on aging in a changing climate from April 9-10. A panel of leaders from Maine, NH, and VT will discuss how states can put age-equity into action in relation to planning for climate change and extreme weather events. Experts will also explore how to identify local risks, harness the wisdom of older adults, and build thriving, resilient communities.
Ready to be part of the solution? Register Now
New Training on Communicating About Nursing Homes
The National Center to Reframe Aging and its partners have developed a new approach to improve how we talk about nursing home care with strategies to help navigate negative perceptions. Nursing home providers and advocates can access these research-backed strategies through a free, on-demand training course.
Learn More and Register
Recognizing Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month (DDAM) is an annual campaign highlighting how people with and without disabilities form strong communities together. DDAM raises awareness of people with developmental disabilities in all aspects of community life and is a time to address barriers to their meaningful contributions at the local and state levels.
Countdown to Age of Champions
We’re less than a month away from the Age of Champions Health and Wellness Fair! Set for April 26 at the UNH Hamel Recreation Center, you’ll enjoy a day of interactive demonstrations, wellness resources, and community connection, made possible by the Center of Aging and Community Living (CACL) in collaboration with UNH and several amazing vendors and sponsors.
Learn More
Do you have an “AHA Moment” you would like to share, or would like us to add a friend to the “Moments” Mailing List? Please email Kathryn Selinga at Kathryn.Selinga@unh.edu
 Older Americans Month 2025
Every May, the Administration for Community Living (ACL) leads the nation’s observance of Older Americans Month (OAM), a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm our commitment to serving older adults.
The 2025 theme, Flip the Script on Aging, focuses on transforming how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging. It encourages individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions. This year, join us in honoring older adults’ contributions, exploring the many opportunities for staying active and engaged as we age, and highlighting the opportunities for purpose, exploration, and connection that come with aging.
Logos are available now. Stay tuned for the OAM poster, social media toolkit, and more. Use #OlderAmericansMonth on social media to share your thoughts and activities and see what others are doing!
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