Have a Voice in Your Future

Oct 19, 2018

NH DHHS Announces Listening Sessions for State Plan on Aging

Concord, NH – As part of a statewide effort to understand the needs of older adults, the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS), Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services (BEAS) and the State Plan on Aging (SPOA) Planning Committee are seeking public input that will guide and inform the next four-year State Plan on Aging. “As we continue in our efforts to provide programs and services that focus on older adults, we must have an understanding of what their needs are,” said DHHS Commissioner Jeffrey A. Meyers. “New Hampshire has one of the fastest-growing aging populations, and these listening sessions will give us the opportunity to offer supports that are meaningful and relevant to our older residents, so that they can participate fully in their communities.”

In addition to the listening sessions, residents are invited to complete the online State Plan on Aging Survey, which will allow respondents to provide information on the availability of supports in their communities, including health care programs and screenings, affordable housing, transportation, and in-home long-term supports and services. Information from the listening sessions and survey will be used to inform the New Hampshire State Plan on Aging that will be submitted to the Federal Administration for Community Living. This plan is a requirement to receive federal funding for the Older Americans Act programs in New Hampshire.

Listening sessions will run through December 7. Many senior and community centers will host the sessions immediately following the congregate meal to make it easier for older adults to attend. If accommodations are needed for communication access such as interpreters, CART (captioning), assistive listening devices, or other auxiliary aids and/or services, please contact Kim Hillson at 603-271-9215 or Kimberly.Hillson@dhhs.nh.gov 5 business days before the listening session. At least 5 business days advance notice is requested in order to assure availability; requests made fewer than 5 days prior to the event will attempt to be accommodated but cannot be guaranteed.

Berlin, October 25th

1:00-3:00pm Berlin Senior Center 610 Sullivan Street, Berlin

Keene, November 2nd

9:30-11:30am Cheshire Medical Center 580 Court Street, Keene

Meredith, November 7th

10:30am -12:30pm Meredith Community Center 1 Circle Drive, Meredith

Nashua, November 14th

2:00 - 4:00pm Nashua Senior Center 70 Temple Street, Nashua

Rochester, November 15th

1:30-3:30pm Frisbee Memorial Hospital 11 Whitehall Road, Rochester

Newport, November 16th

9:30-11:30am