Volume 21 • Issue 2 FALL 2017

A PUBLICATION FOR NEW HAMPSHIRE’S OLDER CITIZENSAging Issues

Inside This IssueCommissioner’s Corner ......... ………2

Silver Linings Expo ....................……2

Attention Mobile Phone Users .........2

Dear NH Seniors ........................…….3

New SCOA Member ....................……3

National Caregivers Month .......... ….3

Medicare Open Enrollment .......…….3

Medicare Savings Program ......…….3

Grandparents and Guardianship …..4

Medication Safety ......................…….4

Alcohol and Older Adults ..........……4

A Good Night’s Sleep ............ ………4

NH Veterans Home ...................... …..5

Alliance for Healthy Aging ........……5

Food Stamps ...........................……...5

Diabetes Prevention ...................……5

Social Security Update ..............……6

Calendar ....................................……..6

Provider Listing ..........................……7

Guide to Services .................. ……….8

REAPing the Benefits of Healthy LivingREAP Program Celebrates 25 Years

REAP counselors also offer group educational sessions in senior housing and other places where older adults gather, and provide technical assistance to professionals who serve older adults.

REAP is supported by New Hampshire Housing and three program areas in the NH Department of Health and Human Services: the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, the Bureau of Mental Health Services, and the Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Services. REAP counselors are located statewide in New Hampshire’s 10 community mental health centers.

Many older adults are isolated and/or coping with multiple medical condi-tions, bereavement, loneliness, and other issues, such as problems with alcohol use and/or managing medicines. (see articles on page…of Aging Issues). For example, Mrs. M., age 86, lost her husband last year and now lives alone. Her daughter lives three hours away and visits periodically. Mrs. M.’s medical conditions include chronic arthritis, diabetes and heart failure, and she has had two falls. She usually has a few “nightcaps” to help her sleep. She takes eight different medications, commenting: “I don’t know why I need so many, and I worry that they are making things worse.”

The good news is that situations like Mrs. M.’s can improve with outreach and assistance like that provided through REAP. In his remarks, Dr. Stephen Bartels praised the work of REAP counselors, and emphasized the importance of evidence-based practices such as community-based outreach to older adults, family caregiver support and interventions. As the aging population continues to increase, along with the demand for services, “smart use of people and smart use of technology will be important,” said Dr. Bartels, citing approaches such as integrating mental health care with primary care, coaching to help people better manage their health, peer support and use of telework technology to help deliver services to people at home.

Although the REAP Program is unique to New Hampshire it has generated interest from other states. Lucille Karatzas, who directed REAP from 2003 until her retirement in 2014, has worked with other retired professionals to develop a program modeled on REAP at The Villagers, a Florida retirement community.

On October 5 the REAP Program celebrated its 25th anniversary at NH Audubon’s McLane Center in Concord.

Joining in the celebration were members of the NH Coalition on Substance Abuse, Mental Health & Aging; among them Bernadette Seifert (Coalition Chair), Todd Ringelstein (pictured below), and Jennifer Kinsey (REAP Director); Dr. Stephen Bartels, MD, Director of the Dartmouth Centers on Health and Aging (keynote); Lucille Karatzas, former REAP Director, who helped develop the pro-gram; and representatives from NH Housing and the NH Department of Health and Human Services; and 22 REAP counselors from across New Hampshire.

NH DHHS and Foundation for Healthy Communities to Launch New Health Care Coalition for Coordinating Emergency Response

continued on page 2

Health care organizations play a critical role in protecting the public’s health during emergencies, preventing and reducing illnesses and deaths. To ensure a comprehensive, statewide response to residents’ health needs in an emergency, the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is establishing a Health Care Coalition to coordinate emergency response and recovery efforts by health care organizations.

On September 13, 2017, the NH Executive Council approved a DHHS con-tract with the Foundation for Healthy Communities, which will help launch the Health Care Coalition and serve as its Administrative Lead Organization.

“As Hurricanes Irma and Harvey recently demonstrated, people are at risk of illness or death even when an emergency situation subsides. By working collectively and collaborating with state agencies during an emergency, health care organizations help limit the impact on people’s health,” said Lisa Morris, Director of the DHHS Division of Public Health Services. “As the Administrative Lead Organization of the Health Care Coalition, the Foundation for Healthy Communities will coordinate efforts to strengthen New Hampshire’s ability to address health concerns during an emergency.”

As administrative lead of the Health Care Coalition (HCC), the Foundation for Healthy Communities will:

Work with community health care organizations and other stakeholders to identify risks and address needs through planning and training;

Coordinate with HCC members to share information, manage resources and coordinate strategies to deliver medical care during emergencies;

Ensure continuity of health care service delivery during emergencies; and-help coordinate information and available resources so members can maintain services during a surge in the need for medical resources.

“The Foundation is honored to have been chosen as the administrative lead organization to establish the Health Care Coalition,” said Peter Ames, Executive Director of the Foundation for Healthy Communities. “This opportunity will allow us to carry forward the 15-year history of work of the New Hampshire Hospital Association in support of emergency preparedness, and create an even more comprehensive network of healthcare partners, public health agencies and emergency management officials that will enhance emergency preparedness, response and recovery efforts in New Hampshire.”

REAP began in 1992 with a Robert Wood Johnson grant obtained by New Hampshire Housing, and expanded in 2003 by means of a partnership with New Hampshire’s community mental health centers. REAP (the Referral, Education, Assistance and Prevention Program) offers free and confidential, home-based counseling statewide to adults age 60 and older and to family members or caregivers with concerns about an older adult. Counseling is of-fered on a wide range of personal concerns: grief and loss, the use of alcohol or drugs, medication safety, housing and mental health concerns and more.

“REAP counselors reach out to older adults where they live in the commu-nity, and are trained to address the unique needs and concerns of older adults,” says Jennifer Kinsey, the current REAP Director. “Last year, REAP helped 2,117 individuals to stay healthy and independent.”

2 FALL • AGING ISSUES

Introducing the New DHHS Division of Long Term Supports and Services

The New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services is improv-ing the way residents, including seniors, receive long term services. I am pleased to announce that DHHS has established the new Division of Long Term Supports and Services.

As readers of Aging Issues know well, New Hampshire has the second oldest population in the U.S. People with developmental disabilities are liv-ing longer and aging. Children are born

COMMISSIONER JEFFREY A. MEYERS

This is a welcome development for the readers of Aging Issues. The De-partment is setting the standard for providing long term services and sup-ports to individuals from birth throughout their lifespan. While the type and intensity of services and supports for long term clients change over time, the Division of Long Term Supports and Services will ensure continuity of care, providing clients with a more seamless transition into BEAS. By organizing long term care services into one Division, we are bringing together a whole host of expertise, programs, and staff to meet our clients’ needs. We know integrating these bureaus and services will take time, but we are committed to it. While there are differences among the population groups served by the bureaus in the new division, natural partnerships for aging and disability resources will evolve and enhance a continuous strategic development lens.

The Division of Long Term Supports and Services will be led by Christine Santaniello. Chris has been with DHHS since October 2016 as the Director of BDS. Prior to working for DHHS, Chris was the Executive Director of Lakes Region Community Services, where she led a broad-based Family Support/Community Services organization, serving individuals with developmental disabilities or acquired brain disorders and their families, seniors, and elders, and a Family Resource Center.

Along with Chris’ appointment to Division Director, Sandy Hunt has been named Bureau Chief for BDS. Sandy has served as the Deputy Director for BDS. She previously served as Interim BDS Director and as the Administra-tor of Medicaid Care Management. DHHS is also recruiting for a new BEAS Bureau Chief.

Both Chris and Sandy have been effective leaders within DHHS and I look forward to continuing our shared work on building the Division and integrating the core competencies of each bureau to provide comprehensive, integrated supports to people across the lifespan. As the program areas share their knowledge and ideas, this will increase our ability to empower individuals and families.

The new DHHS Division of Long Term Supports and Services is set up to help many of our clients, and I am excited about the possibilities. With this move, DHHS wants to lead the way on integrating services for seniors, adults and people with disabilities. As the Division meshes and thrives, I will keep the readers of Aging Issues informed of the progress we’re making.

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today with chronic health conditions that will last into adulthood. While people of different ages have unique needs, it is certainly true that DHHS provides services for an increasing number of people beginning in early childhood through their senior years. Recently, I began contemplating a reorganization of the Department’s long term supports and services to better serve our clients.

The Division of Long Term Supports and Services will include the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services (BEAS), the Bureau of Developmental Ser-vices (BDS), and Special Medical Services (SMS). Given the State’s current demographics and anticipating the future needs of our aging and disability population groups, I believe the new Division will elevate and integrate the services available to seniors and developmentally disabled individuals.

BEAS has long played an important role for many New Hampshire senior citizens, providing services that support seniors’ independence as they age. Integrating BEAS and other long term services and support in the new Division will enhance the Bureau’s impact on the lives of our clients. While each of these groups – seniors, adults and disabled individuals – have unique needs, integrating long term supports and services within the new Division allows DHHS to marshal resources more effectively as we seek to provide greater support for seniors’ independence.

“I quickly learned that social workers never fully retire, and so after only one year of retirement, I found myself getting together with 50 other retired social workers discussing how we might bring ele-ments of the REAP program to The Villagers, our retirement community in Florida,” said Karatzas. “I like to think of our new program, Transition Life Consultants, as ‘REAP South’. The original REAP funders in New Hampshire, NH Housing and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the current funders, deserve much credit for anticipating the needs of older adults and for allowing the program to continue and grow.”

Sponsors of the October 5 REAP celebration in-cluded the Center for Life Management, Community Partners, NH Housing, the NH Association of Pro-fessional Service Coordinators, the NH Coalition on Substance Abuse, Mental Health & Aging, Northern Human Services, Proximity Labs, Riverbend Commu-nity Mental Health Services, RS Consulting, Seacoast Mental Health Center, and the Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester.

reaping the benefits of a healthy life continued from page 1

To learn more about REAP call NH ServiceLink toll-free at 1-866-634-9412.

Comment from George Thurston, M.S. Ed, LADC, who worked as a REAP Counselor for close to 10 years prior to his retirement:

I have never met any more interesting and awe-inspiring people as I have with REAP – one of them was a quiet, humble man who had earned the Distinguished Flying Cross in the late 1940’s. He had been a B-29 pilot f ly-ing the border patrol along the Soviet-Alaskan border. His plane crashed, and he suffered a broken back and then went back into the burn-ing wreckage five times to pull out his crew members. When I worked with this man in his later years, he appreciated my support as he was dying from multiple myelomas. Imagine that. He thanked me, when he was the one who courageously faced death twice. I couldn’t hold a candle to him. I’ve never been so humbled.

More than 400 Attend Silver Linings ExpoServiceLink, the NH State Committee on Aging and the NH DHHS Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, were among the more than 40 organizations participating in this event, which featured information on health and wellness, finances, legal services, housing options, mental health, and other supportive services/resources. Fifteen seminars were offered on topics such as caregiving, fraud, volunteerism and health. The Silver Linings Expo grew out of the Silver Linings series, a yearlong series of stories on aging published by the Manchester Union Leader. The Silver Linings series is a partnership between the Union Leader and the NH Endowment for Health.

The Silver Linings Expo was sponsored by AARP New Hampshire, Visiting Angels, Ascentria In-Home Care, Ambrogi Law Office PLLC, Home Instead Senior Care, Ledgewood Bay Assisted Living and New England Allergy, Asthma & Immunology P.C.

Mary Schoenley, Center Manager for Hillsborough County ServiceLink (Manchester), talks to Armand and Jeanette Lavallee from Manchester during the Silver Linings: Senior Healthy Living Expo held on September 30 at the Manchester Community College in Manchester. Photo: Thomas Roy, Manchester Union Leader.

Attention Mobile Phone Users!

InnoCaption is a free real-time captioning service for the deaf or hard of hearing mobile phone user who wants to use their own voice to talk, but needs assistance hearing the other party. Paid for pursuant to a program through the Interstate Telecommuni-cations Relay (TRS) fund. FCC regulated. Supports Smartphones with an Android Operating System 2.2 or higher version) or an iPhone Operating System (5.0.1 or higher version). Whichever phone you choose, it must support simultaneous voice and data.

InnoCaption will not work on Windows or Black-berry phones. Please check with your carrier as not every Android or ISO phone is supportive of simul-taneous voice and data.

To learn more visit the InnoCaption website at https://www.innocaption.com/faqs-about-getting-started.

FALL • AGING ISSUES 3

Dear NH Seniors,I would like to introduce you to the State Com-

mittee on Aging (SCOA). We are a council of citizens who work with the NH Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS), Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, to develop and implement the best policies and practices for seniors in New Hampshire. As you can see on the last page of Aging Issues, SCOA members represent each county and we also have representation from the state legislature. Our structure includes two members from each county and three members at- large. Some of our members are leaving soon and we would love to have new members. At least eight of our members must be age 60 or older at the time of appointment.

We meet on the first Monday of the month in Concord in the NH DHHS Brown Building, 129 Pleasant St. in Concord, from 10 am until 12 noon. Mileage reimbursement is available. As a SCOA member, your duties would include advocating for seniors and their issues in your community as your time permits, attending our monthly meeting and serving on a committee. To be considered for appointment, you would complete a brief applica-tion. You would be appointed to serve on SCOA by the Governor and Executive Council.

If you think you may be interested in serving on SCOA, please consider coming to one of our meet-ings as a guest. For further information, please feel free to contact me or Ken Berlin, SCOA vice chair. We will get back to you as quickly as we can. Thank you for your consideration. We need more members!

Respectfully,Candace Cole-McCrea Ken BerlinChair, SCOA Vice Chair, SCOA(603) 652-7594 (301) 676-9888snowyowl@metrocast.net Kaberlin@comcast.net

Medicare Open Enrollment:October 15-December 7, 2017Medicare Open Enrollment is the period of time

from October 15 to December 7 when a Medicare Beneficiary can change their Medicare Advantage or Prescription Drug Plan. This is the time to review your coverage and make changes if you wish to do so. Reviewing your plan every year is important because:

• Plans canchange theirpremiumcosts and theformulary (list of a plan’s covered medications)

• Newplanscomeon themarketandsomeplansdrop off. There may be another plan in your area that offers better coverage at a lower price and/or with fewer restrictions. Compare other plans with your present coverage to see which plan will best suit your needs in the coming year.

• It costsnothing to reviewand could save youhundreds, maybe thousands, of dollars per year.

A Medicare Specialist known as a SHIP (State Health Insurance information Provider) at NH Service-Link in your county can help you compare plans and make educated choices for the coming calendar year. To make an appointment, call ServiceLink toll-free at 1-866-634-9412.

The NH Family Caregiver Support Program provides information, counseling and support to family caregivers, and small grants for respite care and supplemental services are available. To learn more about the program, including eligibility requirements, call NH ServiceLink at 1-866-634-9412.

November is National Family Caregivers Month!Meals and medications. Physical care and supervi-

sion. Doctor’s appointments. Legal and financial re-sponsibilities. The list goes on and on. It’s no wonder that this year’s theme for National Family Caregivers Month is, “Caregiving Around The Clock”, in honor of those who give so much of their time and energy to care for others, often 24/7, and juggling all this with their own jobs and raising children.

More than 65 million people, 29% of the U.S. population, provide care for a chronically ill, disabled, or aged family member or friend during any given year and spend an average of 20 hours per week providing care for their loved one. The value of the services family caregivers provide for “free,” when caring for older adults, is estimated to be $375 bil-lion a year. That is almost twice as much as is actu-ally spent on homecare and nursing home services combined ($158 billion). (Caregiver Action Network).

In New Hampshire, family caregivers provide an es-timated 2.3 billion in unpaid care annually. This helps eliminate the need for more expensive nursing home are and unnecessary hospital admissions (AARP).

If you know someone who is a caregiver, and you’d like to help, here are some suggestions from 101 Things You Can Do for a Family Caregiver, compiled by Mary Frances De Rose and VESTA Project Caregivers:

1. Ask the caregiver what you can do.

2. Visit with the care-receiver so the caregiver can get some uninterrupted sleep.

3. Tend to the caregivers yard, shovel snow, rake leaves, etc.

4. Cook an extra main dish when you are making dinner for your own family.

5. Start an area volunteer respite program*.

6. Get a list of area caregiver support groups and pass them along to the caregiver and offer to stay with the care receiver.

7. Allow/encourage the caregiver to rant.

8. Establish a daily/weekly phone ritual with the caregiver as a safety check.

9. Arrange pizza or other food delivery for the care-giver and care receiver.

10. Observe the caregiver and come up with one simple thing that will make his/her life easier.

*For some helpful information on starting a vol-unteer respite program, check out the website for the Alabama Lifespan Respite Resource Network at http://www.alabamarespite.org/images/pdfs/alrm.sharingthecaretoolkit.pdf

The Medicare Savings ProgramIndividuals eligible for SLMB 120 may also be

eligible for Medicaid. However, individuals eligible for SLMB135 may not otherwise be eligible for Medicaid. The distinction is determined by your gross income and assets.

If you don’t qualify for the QMB/SLMB assis-tance, you may still qualify for Extra Help paying for prescription drug coverage premiums and the costs of your medications if you meet certain income and resource requirements. You automatically qualify for Extra Help if you receive QMB or SLMB (see above) or if you receive full Medicaid (state medical assistance) coverage or if you receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits.

If an individual is residing with a spouse, the income and resources of both are used to determine eligibility for a Medicare Savings Program.

To see if you qualify or for help applying for the Medicare Savings Program, call NH ServiceLink toll-free at 1-866-634-9412.

If you qualify, your state will send you a redeter-mination application every six months to make sure you remain qualified for the QMB or SLMB benefit. You must fill out this redetermination form, provide the requested documentation and return it in the enclosed envelope by the time requested in order to avoid having your benefit stopped. For the Extra Help Program, Social Security will send you a notice in in the fall advising you that you do not automatically qualify for Extra Help for the coming calendar year; you will have to reapply in order to avoid an interrup-tion in your benefit. Once qualified for Extra Help, you are qualified for the remainder of the calendar year no matter what changes in your income or status.

Medicare & You

Did you know that a Medicare Savings Program may be able to help with your Medicare costs? This program assists low-income Medicare beneficiaries who qualify. The Medicare Savings Program includes:

QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiaries Program), which helps pay for the Medicare Part A and B pre-miums and all Medicare co-insurance and deductibles. You must be eligible for or enrolled in Medicare Part A in order to apply and meet certain income and resource requirements. If you qualify for QMB, you automatically qualify to get Extra Help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage.

SLMB (Specified Low-Income Beneficiaries) pays for all or a portion of Medicare Part B premiums. You must be eligible for Medicare Part B in order to apply. There are two different levels of SLMB benefits: SLMB 120 and SLMB 135. If you qualify for SLMB 120 you automatically qualify to get Extra Help paying for Medicare prescription drug coverage.

Joining SCOA From Rockingham CountyKristi St. Laurent is the new State Committee on Aging representative from Rockingham County,

and was appointed to SCOA this past June.A physical therapist, St. Laurent is employed by the Northeast Rehabilitation

Hospital in Salem, NH where she frequently works with older adults and their families. She and her husband and three children moved to Windham, NH 18 years ago, after living in other places around the country.

Healthcare, housing and employment for NH seniors are key issues for St. Laurent, as is planning for the future. “The aging demographic is more pronounced in New Hampshire than in the country as a whole. Approximately thirty percent of the people living in New Hampshire will be age 65 and older by the year 2030, as opposed to twenty percent nationally. Recogniz-ing and planning for this will help New Hampshire and all its residents to capture the advantages that this shift [in population] presents. I look to my

roles on the State Committee on Aging and as a health care professional as ways to recognize and address the issues of aging in New Hampshire.”

In addition to the State Committee on Aging, St. Laurent’s other activities include the Windham Plan-ning Board, Windham Economic Development Committee, AARP Working Group, Windham Democratic Town Committee, and the NH Patriot Guard Riders, who provide a flag line and motorcycle escort at the funerals of service members, veterans and first responders.

4 FALL • AGING ISSUES

Alcohol and Older AdultsOlder adults are more sensitive to alcohol than younger adults. Drinking too much is dangerous and can contribute to:

•Increased risk of falls, fires or other accidents

•Heart and liver damage, confusion, memory loss, anxiety, depression, and worsening of existing health conditions such as diabetes, osteoporosis and high blood pressure

•Harmful side effects when alcohol is combined with medications.

Recommended drinking limits for adults age 65 and older: one drink per day for men and less than one drink per day for women. One standard drink is equal to one 5oz glass of wine, one 12oz beer or ale, one single shot (1.5 oz) of hard liquor or one small glass (4oz) sherry, liqueur or aperitif (National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism)

Possible warning signs of excessive alcohol use include memory problems, tremors, frequent falls, changes in sleep patterns, poor nutrition, poor personal hygiene and withdrawal from family, friends and social activities (National Institute of Behavioral Health).

Talk with your doctor as soon as possible if you experience these warning signs, have questions about your medicines or your alcohol or other drug use. You can also talk with a REAP counselor (see separate article on page one of Aging Issues).

Information provided by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Admin-istration (SAMHSA) unless otherwise indicated. Visit the SAMHSA store website today to read more, download materials or order hard copies: store.samhsa.gov.

Medication SafetyAre you taking your medications safely? The older we get, the more health

concerns we have, the more doctors we see and the more medicines we need. More medicines can mean more mistakes and more interactions. Medicines can include prescriptions and those bought without a prescription, such as vitamins, supplements and over-the-counter pain, cough and cold medicines. They come in many forms, such as pills, creams, drops, sprays and liquids. Any substance can be poisonous if used by the wrong person, in the wrong amount or in the wrong way. Misuse of prescription pain medications has contributed to our current opioid epidemic.

Here are five tips for medication safety:1. Participate! It’s your health, your body. Ask questions until you understand

what you are taking, why and how to take it and what side effects to be concerned with.

2. Read and follow the entire label. Keep medicine in its original container.

3. Write it down. Keep a list of your current medicines, including prescription AND over-the-counter products. Update it when things change. Writing down the schedule of when to take each one can prevent mistakes.

4. Keep all medicines up, away and out of sight, to prevent small children or those who might misuse them from getting into them. Prescription pain medications are common targets for theft.

5. Be prepared: know who to call with questions or concerns. Your pharmacist, your doctor and the Northern New England Poison Center (1-800-222-1222) are all part of your medication safety team.

6. Managing pain: If you have questions on your prescription pain medication or on how to manage pain, contact your medical provider.

Information provided by the Northern New England Poison Center

New Law on Grandparents and Guardianship By Margaret Morrill

welcoming the children in their care, are often dealing with financial and legal challenges, are coping with their own health issues and have little free time for themselves. In situations where the child’s parents are abusing alcohol or drugs, grandparents have the added grief of watching them struggle with addiction and its consequences, which may include incarceration due to criminal activities.

Finding affordable child care may be an issue, if both grandparent are work-ing, or respite care. Some children in grandparents’ care may have been abused or neglected by their own parents, have behavioral or learning problems or other special needs. And planning for the future is also an issue, says Rosemary Nugent. “What happens when the grandparents can no longer provide care?”

The Nugents are participating in a commission to study grandfamilies in New Hampshire. Signed into law by Governor Sununu on June 27, the commission brings together grandparents, legislators, professionals and advocates to discuss the challenges grandfamilies face and possible solutions.

Of their grandparenting role, Rosemary says she and her husband wouldn’t have it any other way, although they don’t always have the energy they used to have. Of her grandson Denis, she says, “It’s a joy just to look at him.”

ResourcesFamily Resource Centers- Family resource centers are located in various com-

munities across NH. These centers provide comprehensive services to parents and their children, from pregnancy through age 18. Family resource centers are open to all families and can be especially supportive of families struggling with challenging issues, limited financial resources and/or troubled family dynamics. For a listing, visit the NH Children’s Trust website at https://www.nhchildren-strust.org/programs/family-resource centers or call (603) 224-1279.

NH Family Caregiver Support Program- If you are a grandparent or other relative (not a parent) 55 years of age and older, and you are providing care to a child under the age of 18, you could be eligible for services under the NH Family Caregiver Support Program (see the November is National Caregiver Month article on page 2 of Aging Issues)

Some online resources: http://www.aarp.org (AARP), www.grandfamilies.org (Grandfamilies) and http://www.gu.org- (Generations United).

A new law should make it easier for grandparents to obtain guardianship of grandchildren in situations involving the parents’ substance abuse or dependence.

HB 629 was signed into law by Governor Christopher Sununu at a ceremony on June 27, 2017 and becomes effective in January 2018. The law establishes a preference for appointment of a child’s grandparent as his or guardian when the parent cannot care for the child due to alcohol or drug problems.

Based on U.S. census data, it is estimated that there are now 10,000 households in New Hampshire with grandparents as the primary caregivers, as opposed to 4,000 in 2007. This increase has been largely attributed to the State’s opioid crisis.

Guardianship allows the grandparents to have legal custody, and to make im-portant decisions for the child, such as school enrollment and medical treatment.

Rep Mariellen MacKay (R-Nashua), one of the key sponsors of HB 629, was inspired to work on the legislation after attending support groups for grandpar-ents and hearing many say they had no voice in the court process. Commenting on the new law, she said, “Everyone benefits. The parents have more peace of mind, knowing the child is with family, and the child stays in his or her own home and community.”

New Hampshire is the first state in the nation to give preference to grand-parents in guardianship cases involving substance abuse. In December, Rep Mariellen MacKay will present on the new law at a conference of the American Legislative Exchange Council.

Among those present at the June 27 signing ceremony for HB 629 were Denis and Rosemary Nugent (Antrim). They have been guardians of their eight-year old grandson Denis for the past three years, but have basically cared for him since birth, since young Denis’ parents have had long-term drug and alcohol issues. Rosemary Nugent says that although she and her husband didn’t have a problem when it came to obtaining guardianship of their grandson, the new law will provide important help to other grandparents, and it would be good to see it duplicated in other states.

The Nugents attend a grandparent support group in Antrim, where participants can discuss their experiences and share information about available services. Such support groups provide a helpful forum for grandparent caregivers who, although

A Good Night’s Sleep By Hope Gerald, Dartmouth Hitchcock Centers on Aging

If you are finding yourself awake or restless at night, or feeling unusually fatigued during the day, the first step is to see your primary care doctor to see if you can find an underlying cause and appropriate treatment. The primary care doctor can also refer you for additional testing and treatment if needed. If you sleep with a partner, ask them what they observe before visiting your doctor. You may not be aware of your snoring or how restless you actually are.

Feeling a little tired? Older adults need as much sleep as younger adults- seven to nine hours for most people- but may find it harder to get enough restful sleep.

Some sleep changes are a normal part of aging. Changes in the brain and in the body can lead to insomnia, which includes difficulty falling asleep, difficulty staying asleep, and waking up earlier than desired. Other situations contribut-ing to insomnia can include certain medications, physical discomfort due to medical conditions, needing to visit the bathroom more often, sleep apnea, and depression. Stress and worry from caregiving, loss of a loved one or other life transitions can also cause insomnia. continued on page 6

FALL • AGING ISSUES 5

National Diabetes Prevention Program Helps Prevent Type 2 Diabetes By Marisa Lara

Nearly half of American adults 65 years of age or older have prediabetes. Prediabetes increases one’s risk for developing Type 2 Diabetes, a serious disease that can lead to heart, kidney and eye problems.

Nearly half of American adults 65 years of age or older have prediabetes. Many people with prediabetes who do not lose weight or do moderate physi-cal activity can develop Type 2 Diabetes within five years.

The good news is that Type 2 Diabetes can be prevented! The National Dia-betes Prevention Program (NDPP), offered by organizations throughout New Hampshire, can help. The Program is led by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and is proven to prevent or delay Type 2 Diabetes.

In the National Diabetes Prevention Program, groups of participants work with a trained lifestyle coach to learn the skills needed to lose weight, become more physically active, and manage stress. The groups meet for a year — weekly for the first six months, then once or twice a month for the second six months.

The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services have proposed coverage for the National Diabetes Prevention Program, starting in April 2018, with no co-pay or cost-sharing for Medicare beneficiaries! Expect more information by the end of 2017.

To find out more about prediabetes and to find diabetes prevention programs in New Hampshire, visit www.preventdiabetesnh.org

You May Have Prediabetes and Be at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes if you:

•Are 45 years of age or older

•Are overweight

•Have a family history of Type 2 Diabetes

•Are physically active fewer than 3 times per week

•Ever had diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes) or gave birth to a baby that weighed more than 9 pounds.

Marisa Lara is the Manager of the Diabetes, Heart Disease, School Health, Obesity and School Health Programs at the NH DHHS Division of Public Health Services. She can be reached at Marisa.Lara@dhhs.nh.gov

Serve those who servedThe Volunteer Program at the New Hampshire Veterans Home (NHVH) in

Tilton, NH offers many opportunities to work in diverse areas such as: Librarian, Activities Assistant, Storekeeper, Friendly Visitor, Pet Therapy, Feeding Assistant (8-hour class training is provided by NHVH), the Sunshine Cart, Office Aide (Shredding), and Activities Outing Assistant (trips on the NHVH bus).

A Marine salutes at an NHVH Veterans Day ceremony. Photo: NH Veterans Home

Veterans Day EventsThe New Hampshire Veterans Home will conduct its annual

Veterans Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10, 2017,

honoring all those who served in the Armed Forces during times of peace and war, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The event is open to the public. A coffee social time, starting at 10:15, precedes the ceremony.

The Veterans Home event precedes a large public ceremony at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen at 11 a.m.

on Saturday, Nov. 11, the traditional Veterans Day date. Several busloads of Veterans Home residents are transported

to the event at the cemetery every year.

A Word About Food StampsFood Stamps (also known as SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance

Program) give families an opportunity to eat healthy and support the local economy! Benefit amounts vary based on things like the number and ages of people in the household, the household’s income and expenses, etc. The benefits come on a small card known as an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card. The EBT card looks and works like a debit card, and you can use it at grocery stores and at over 50 local Farmers’ Markets, farm stands, CSAs and the Seacoast Area Mobile Market! When using SNAP EBT at these locations look for Granite State Market Match to obtain double your SNAP benefits to shop for fruits and vegetables at the Farmers’ Market!

How to apply:

•Apply on the Internet at nheasy.nh.gov

•Go to a District Office and apply in person. Applications are available at the front desk or in the lobby. You can also call and an application can be mailed to you.*

•Call the NH Food Bank at 603-669-9725, Ext. 1124 and ask for Lynne. Please leave her a message if she’s not there and she will call you back.

•Call NH DHHS Client Services at 603-271-9700 or 1-800-852-3345 x 9700.

•Download an application from the NH Department of Health and Human Services website at: http://www.dhhs.nh.gov/

*The NH Department of Health and Human Services (NH DHHS) has Dis-trict Offices located throughout New Hampshire. See the listing of District Office telephone numbers on page 8 of Aging Issues.

The NH Alliance for Healthy Aging Addressing Direct Care Workforce Issues

The NH Alliance for Healthy Aging (NH AHA) Strategic Workgroup Area, Improve the availability of quality healthcare and social service workforces has been active for over a year. During this time, the group narrowed in on issues surrounding the direct care workforce, which is defined as including paid homemakers, home health aides, companions, and certified nursing assis-tants, among others Some issues needing to be addressed include low wages, inadequate benefits, the work environment (for example, improvements in communication and supervision), education and training, and more pathways for career advancement.

In an effort to raise awareness and promote active change, NH AHA has been working closely with The Endowment for Health to support the develop-ment of a NH based documentary called Call to Care NH. This documentary will air October 26, 2017 on NH Public Broadcasting immediately following the national broadcast of Care. Learn more about the national documentary at: caredocumentary.com. In early December, there will be a kickoff event to launch a series of community dialogues across the state using Call to Care NH. Please watch for announcements from the NH AHA and Endowment for Health in the near future.

The NH Alliance for Healthy Aging (NH AHA) is a statewide coalition focused on the health and well-being of older adults in New Hampshire. The NH AHA meets quarterly, and all who share the vision are welcome to participate. There are also opportunities to join priority area workgroups. For more information, visit www.nhaha.info or contact Jennifer Rabalais at Jennifer.rabalais@unh.edu or by phone at 603-228-2084.

Volunteers Needed at NH Veterans Home

To learn more, call Patricia Copeland, Supervisor of Volunteer Activitiesat (603) 527-4816 or Patricia.Copeland@nhvh.nh.us.

Volunteer John Slavin transporting resident Elaine Baker to see the cars during the Home’s annual Classic Car Cruise night in August. Extra volunteers are always needed for the event to transport residents outside to see the vehicles. Photo: NH Veterans Home

6 FALL • AGING ISSUES

CALENDARFor information on State Committee on Aging Meetings,

call 1-800-351-1888, Ext. 9215.

AREA COMMITTEES ON AGING

NH State Committee on Aging (SCOA)- Call 1-800-351-1888, Ext. 9215 for meeting information. See page 8 for a listing of SCOA members.

Area Committees on Aging (ACOAs) are independent local advocacy groups that include older adults, caregivers, service providers and other interested individuals. ACOAs share a common interest in issues that affect older adults. All interested persons are invited to attend ACOA meetings. As of Aging Issues press time, these are the ACOAs that are meeting on a regular basis:

Belknap- This committee is reorganizing. More information available at a later date. Interested persons should contact Stace Dicker-Hendricks at 528-2555 or email sdhendricks@wesleywoodsnh.org

Greater Manchester- November and December meetings will be combined due to the holidays. The group will meet on December 6th at 10:00 am (place to be determined). Beginning in January the group will meet on the third Wednesday of each month through June at the William B. Cashin Senior Center Activity Center, 151 Douglas St. in Manchester (Telephone: 624-6536). Contact: Dottie Gove at 518-4305 or email GoveD@cfsnh.org

Greater Nashua- Future meeting schedule is being discussed. Contact: Margo Bell, Nashua Senior Center Director, at 889-6155 or email mbell@nashuaseniorcenter.org

Strafford- Meets monthly at varying locations in Strafford County. Executive council includes Sharon Vien, Ellie Kimball, Harriet Gowen, Susan Hatfield, and Dr. Candace Cole-McCrea. Contact: Dr. Cole-McCrea at 652-7594 or email snowyowl@metrocast.net.

Sullivan (Senior Advocates)- Fourth Tuesday of each month 10:00-11:30am, at the Earle Bourdon Centre, 67 Maple Ave, Claremont. Contact: Co-Chair Cheryl B. Frey at 542-1177, email: cfrey@scservicelink.org or Co-Chair Nora Kells-Gordon at 542-1177 x 202, email: nkgordon@scservicelink.org

New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services

Mission StatementThe mission of the NH Department of Health and Human Services is to join communities and families in providing

opportunities for citizens to achieve health and independence.

AGING ISSUESManaging Editor: Margaret Morrill

Advisors: NH State Committee on AgingDesign: NHBureauofGraphicServices•Printing: Trumbull Printing

Aging Issues is published by the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), Elderly and Adult Services and the NH State Committee on Aging (SCOA). Aging Issues is included as an insert in the Senior Beacon (circulation: 20,000). An additional 15,000 copies are distributed based on a mailing list maintained by BEAS. Aging Issues may also be accessed on the New Hamp shire Department of Health and Human Services website at: www.dhhs. nh.gov/dcbcs/beas

Send news items or other correspondence to NH BEAS, 129 Pleasant St., Concord, NH 03301-3857, Attn: Margaret Morrill for Aging Issues, or email: Margaret.Morrill@dhhs.nh.gov

Providers of Case Management ServicesThe following agencies provide case management services to participants in the

Choices for Independence (CFI) Program, a program of home and community-based services funded under the Medicaid waiver and administered by the NH Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services (BEAS). Case management services are provided under a rule adopted by BEAS (He-E 805). The case manager works with the program participant to create a comprehensive care plan, monitors service provision and assists with issues that may arise.

Brain Injury Association of NH/ 225-8400Speciality Case Management Services of NHCrotched Mtn Community Care 431-3042 (Portsmouth) or 668-7584 (Manchester)Granite Case Management, LLC 856-3120Life Coping, Inc 888-3588Pilot Health 352-9354Community Crossroads, Inc. 893-1299

Social Security Update By Marilenin Vasquez, Social Security Public Affairs Specialist, Lawrence, MA

How Can We Help You?Social Security has a toolbox full of resources on its website, www.socialsecurity.

gov, to help you with your financial planning. With so many resources, maybe it’s easier if we highlight one of our “best.”

B.E.S.T. is the Benefit Eligibility Screening Tool, available at https://ssabest.benefits.gov. It can help you find out if you might be eligible for retirement, disability, survivors, Supplemental Security Income, or Medicare benefits. Although B.E.S.T. asks you a series of questions to determine your eligibility, they are not personal in nature and the answers are not stored.

On average, it takes only about 10 minutes to complete the B.E.S.T. question-naire. First, it guides you through the questions needed to find out if you could qualify for benefits. Just to the right of each question is an information icon (a white “i” in a blue circle) that gives you tips on how to answer each question.

The “results” section appears automatically after you have completed some basic questions. B.E.S.T. lists each program for which you might qualify. By clicking on the “read more” tab, you’ll find a description of the benefits pro-gram, its requirements, and what your next steps should be. If you are eligible for benefits, you must file an application for benefits with Social Security because B.E.S.T. is not an application. The best way to do this is by visiting www.socialsecurity.gov.

You can go back and narrow your resource responses by answering additional questions. After you have reviewed the results, you can print a copy for your records or email yourself a copy.

B.E.S.T. doesn’t screen for the Extra Help program, which helps with Medicare Part D prescription drug plan costs. You can see if you qualify for that at www.socialsecurity.gov/medicare/prescriptionhelp.

The results couldn’t be clearer — investing just ten minutes can yield all the possible resources available to you from Social Security. Now, that’s a tool worth using.

If you are not online, you can always call or visit your local Social Security office for information.

Here are some things to try if you have seen your doctor and determined that you are experiencing insomnia that does not have another underlying cause.

•Have a regular bedtime and wake up time, even on weekends. Your mind and body will become accustomed to falling asleep at this time.

•Unwind before bed, taking some time to relax- but avoid televisions and electronic devices that are backlit. The light and flickering images can stimulate your brain and make it difficult to fall asleep.

•If you are not tired, do not get in bed. Your brain and body should associate being in bed with sleeping. Sit in a comfortable chair instead. If you find yourself wide awake in the middle of the night, you should get back out of bed and do a quiet activity until you feel sleepy again.

•Drink your fluids (especially ones with caffeine!) earlier in the day so you are less likely to have to get up at night to visit the bathroom.

•Avoid alcohol near bedtime as well- while it may make you sleepier at the moment, it can cause you to wake up later in the night.

•Resist the urge to nap. While a nap may help temporarily, it will then interfere with your nighttime sleep.

•Medication can help you sleep, but is usually only meant for temporary use. Some sleep medications can cause dependency. Talk to your doctor about appropriate use of medication, whether it is something prescribed for you or an over-the-counter medicine.

a gooD night’s sleep continued from page 4

FALL • AGING ISSUES 7

NH ServiceLink Resource Center Network

ServiceLink is a program of the NH Department of Health and Human Services and a full partner in the NH CarePath Initiative. ServiceLink Ag-ing and Disability Resource Centers are located statewide and assist people of all ages, income levels and abilities. The Centers collaborate with other community partners to connect people with long-term services and supports, help them explore long-term options and understand and access Medicare and Medicaid. Call toll-free 1-866-634-9412 to connect with any Resource Center or visit the website at www.servicelink.org

Resource Center Location Telephone*

Belknap County (Laconia) ................................................................................... 528-6945Carroll County (Tamworth) ................................................................................. 323-2043Coos County (Berlin) ............................................................................................ 752-6407Grafton County Lebanon .............................................................................................................. 448-1558 Littleton ............................................................................................................... 444-4498Hillsborough County Manchester ......................................................................................................... 644-2240 Nashua ................................................................................................................. 598-4709Merrimack County (Concord) ............................................................................. 228-6625Monadnock Region (Keene) ................................................................................ 357-1922Rockingham County Portsmouth ......................................................................................................... 334-6594 Atkinson .............................................................................................................. 893-9769Strafford County (Rochester) ............................................................................. 332-7398Sullivan County (Claremont) .............................................................................. 542-5177

* All area codes are 603

Bureau of Behavioral Health: Community Mental Health Centers

Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) are located in 10 regions of New Hampshire and are administered by the NH Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Behavioral Health (BBH). Services provided by CMHCs in-clude, among others, assessment and evaluation, individual and group therapy, case management, medication management and 24-hour emergency services. CMHCs provide services to people of all ages, and there are specialized older adult services. For more information, visit the website at www.dhhs.state.nh.us/dcbcs/bbh. You can also call NH ServiceLink at 1-866-634-9412 to locate the CMHC in your area.

Location Telephone*

Concord (Riverbend Community Mental Health) ............................................228-1551

Conway, Littleton, Berlin and Colebrook areas (Northern Human Services) .................................................................................447-3347

Dover (Community Partners of Strafford County) ..........................................516-9300

Keene (Monadnock Family Services) ..................................................................357-4400

Laconia (GENESIS Behavioral Health) ..............................................................524-1100

Lebanon/Claremont (West Central Behavioral Health Inc.) .........................448-0126

Manchester (Mental Health Center of Greater Manchester) .........................668-4111

Nashua (The Greater Nashua Mental Health Center) .....................................889-6147

Portsmouth (Seacoast Mental Health Center) .................................................431-6703

Salem/Derry (Center for Life Management) .....................................................434-1577

* All area codes are 603

Bureau of Developmental Services: Area Agencies

The Area Agencies administered by the NH Department of Health and Hu-man Services, Bureau of Developmental Services, are located in 10 regions of New Hampshire and offer services to consumers with developmental disabilities and acquired brain disorders. These services include, but are not limited to: ser-vice coordination, community support, assistive technology, day and vocational services, personal care, and flexible family support, including respite care. For more information, contact the Bureau’s main office at 1-800-852-3345, Ext. 5034 or visit the website at www.dhhs.state.nh.us/dcbcs/bds

Region Location Telephone*

I Northern Human Services (Conway) ......................................... 447-3347

II Pathways of the River Valley (Claremont) ............................... 542-8706

III Lakes Region Community Services Council (Laconia) .....524-8811 or 800-649-8817

IV Community Bridges, Inc. (Concord) ............225-4153 or 800-499-4153

V Monadnock Developmental Services, Inc. (Keene) ............352-1304 or 800-469-6082

VI Gateways Community Services .................................................... 882-6333

VII Moore Center Services, Inc. (Manchester) ................................ 206-2700

VIII One Sky Community Services (Portsmouth) .......................... 436-6111or 800-660-4103

IX Community Partners, Inc. (Dover) ............................................ 516-9300

X Community Crossroads (Atkinson) ............................................. 893-1299* All area codes are 603

Adult Day Programs In New Hampshire

Adult day programs are community-based services that provide a planned program of health, social and supportive services during daytime hours in a protective setting. Participants can attend an adult day program for all or part of the day. The following is a list of the licensed adult day programs cur-rently operating in New Hampshire. For more information, contact the NH Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Health Facilities Ad-ministration (Telephone: 1-800-852-3345, Ext. 9499) or visit the website at:

www.dhhs.state.nh.us/oos/bhfa

Location Telephone*

Concord (TLC Medical Day Care For Adults) ................................................224-8171

Derry (Vintage Grace).......................................................................................... 425-6339

Hampstead (Senior Class Adult Day Services) ..............................................329-4401

Hampton (Seaside Elderly Day Out Center) ..................................................929-5988

Hooksett (Maintaining Independence Adult Day Center) ...........................568-9237

Hudson (Gateways Adult Day Service Program) ...........................................883-0994

Jaffrey (Monadnock Adult Care Center) .......................................................... 532-2428

Keene (Castle Center for Adult Group Day Care) .........................................352-2253

Lebanon (Upper Valley Good Day Respite Program) ...................................526-4077

Manchester (Easter Seal Society of NH)......................................................... 623-8863

Nashua (Adult Day Care of Nashua) ................................................................ 589-9570

New London (Kearsage Good Day Respite Program) ..................................526-4077

Newport (Connecticut Valley Home Care Day Out) .....................................542-7771

Rochester (Homemaker Home Health Services) ...........................................335-1770

Salem (Silverthorne Adult Day Care Center).................................................893-4799

Wolfeboro (Huggins Hospital-Adult Day Care) ..............................................569-7500

* All area codes are 603.

Senior Centers

Senior centers provide a wide range of important services to help older persons live independently in their communities. Services include, but are not limited to, meals, transportation, health screenings, exercise programs, educational programs and opportunities to socialize and make new friends. To find out about the senior center near you, consult the list below (please note that all phone numbers are area code 603), visit the NH Association of Senior Centers (NHASC) website at www.nhasc.org or call NH ServiceLink at 1-866-634-9412.

Cities/Towns ................... Telephone #Alton, SP ......................................875-7102

Atkinson, SC ** ...........................362-5531

Belmont, SC ...............................267-9867

Berlin SC ** .................................752-2545

Bradford, Mountain View, SC ....938-2104

Bristol, Newfound Area, SP .....744-8395

Canaan, Mascoma Area, SC .....523-4333

Center Ossipee SC** ..................539-6851

Charlestown, SC ..........................826-5987

Chester, SP ..................................206-4786

Claremont, SC .............................543-5998

Colebrook, Colby Commons, SP ..............................237-4957

Concord, Goodlife SC** .............228-6630

Concord (Horseshoe Pond Place) ............228-6956

Danbury, SP .................................768-3424

Derry, SP** ..................................432-6136

Dover, SC** .................................516-6436

Exeter, SP ....................................778-8196

Franklin, Twin Rivers Intergenerational Program (TRIP), SC ...................934-4151

Hampton, SP................................926-3257

Hanover, SP .................................643-5531

Henniker, White Birch, SP ......428-7860

Hillsboro, SP** ...........................464-5029

Hinsdale, SC** .............................336-5726

Hopkinton, Slusser, SC* ..........746-3800

Hudson, SP** ..............................578-3929

Keene, SC** .................................352-5037

Laconia, SC .................................524-7689

Lebanon, Upper Valley, SC** ..448-4213

Lincoln, Linwood Area, SP .......745-4705

Cities/Towns ................... Telephone #Littleton, SC** .............................444-6050

Londonderry, SC** ....................432-8554

Manchester, Wm. Cashin, SC ..624-6533

Merrimack, SP .............................424-1100

Milford, SP ...................................249-0625

Milton, SP .....................................652-9893

Moultonborough, SP ..................476-5110

N. Conway, Gibson Ctr, SC** ....356-3231

Nashua, SC ...................................889-6155

New Boston, SP** ......................487-2884

New London, Chapin, SC** ......526-6368

Newmarket, SP** ........................659-8581

Newport, SC .................................863-3177

N. Haverhill, Horse Meadow, SC .................................787-2539

Orford, SP ....................................353-9107

Pelham, SC** ...............................635-3800

Penacook, SC** ...........................753-9700

Pittsfield, SC ................................435-8482

Plaistow, Vic Geary, SC** ..........382-9276

Plymouth, SC ...............................536-1204

Portsmouth, SC** .......................610-4433

Raymond, Ray-Fre, SC ...............895-3258

Rochester, SC ..............................332-7845

Salem, Ingram SC** ...................890-2190

Seabrook, SP ...............................474-2139

Somersworth, SP ........................692-5169

Suncook, SP ................................485-4254

Tilton, SC .....................................527-8291

Whitefield, SP ..............................837-2424

Windham, SC** ...........................434-2411

Wolfeboro, SP** .........................569-4933

Notes: SC = Senior Centers SP = Senior Programs (not open full time) ** = member NHASC

8 FALL • AGING ISSUES

Guide to ServicesNH DHHS Division of Long Term Supports and Services, Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services

The Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services (BEAS) is a state agency providing services and programs to adults aged 60 and over, and to adults between 18 and 60 years of age who have chronic illness or disability.

Mission Statement: BEAS shares leadership within NH in developing and funding long term supports and advocating for elders, adults with disabilities and their families, and caregivers. BEAS envisions a long-term system of supports that promotes and supports individual and family direction, provides supports to meet individual and family needs, provides high quality care and support, and promotes efficiency. Central Office: 129 Pleasant Street, Brown Building Concord, NH 03301-3857 Toll Free Phone: 800-351-1888 TDD: 800-735-2964 Web Site: www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcbcs/beas District Offices: For telephone numbers, see “Important NH Phone

Numbers” below.

Information on BEAS Services and Programs:Contact the District Office nearest your home (phone numbers are listed below).

If you cannot reach the District Office, call 800-351-1888.

NH ServiceLink Resource Center Network: 866-634-9412Adult Protection: The Adult Protection Program is administered by BEAS and

is intended to protect incapacitated adults who are unable to protect themselves or their own interests. Under the Adult Protection law, BEAS is responsible for receiving and investigating reports of suspected adult abuse, neglect, self-neglect or exploita-tion, and when necessary, for providing protective services. To make a report, or for more information, call the District Office in your area or if you cannot reach the District Office, you can call the Adult Protection Unit at the BEAS Central Office at 1-800-949-0470 (if calling within NH) or 603-271-7014 (if calling outside NH).

NH Family Caregiver Support Program: This program can assist family care-givers who need information and help in connecting with local resources, support groups, education programs and temporary respite care. For more information, call NH ServiceLink at 1-866-634-9412.

Important New Hampshire Phone Numbers

District OfficesThe Department of Health and Human Services has District Offices located

throughout New Hampshire. BEAS staff are located at all of these offices. They provide key services on behalf of seniors and adults with chronic illnesses and/or disabilities, including information and referral, case management, and responsibilities related to the Adult Protection Program.

Berlin 800-972-6111 603-752-7800Claremont 800-982-1001 603-542-9544Concord 800-322-9191 Conway 800-552-4628 603-447-3841Keene 800-624-9700 603-357-3510Laconia 800-322-2121 603-524-4485

Littleton 800-552-8959 603-444-6786

Manchester 800-852-7493 603-668-2330

Southern (Nashua & Salem Regions) 800-852-0632 603-883-7726

Seacoast 800-821-0326 603-334-4325

Rochester 800-862-5300 603-332-9120

Commodity Supplemental Food Program ........................... 800-942-4321

Consumer Protection for Public Utilties .............................. 800-852-3793

NH Insurance Department Consumer Hotline ..................... 800-852-3416

Food Stamp Information ........................................................ 800-852-3345

Foster Grandparent Program ................................................ 800-536-1193

Fuel Assistance Information ............. Your Local Community Action Office

Governor’s Citizens Service .................................................. 800-852-3456

Information about Helpful Services .......................... Dial 2-1-1 (statewide)

Medicaid Information ............................................................. 800-852-3345

Medicare Claims Information ............ 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)

Medicare Quality Improvement (Livanta) ............................ 866-815-5440

Foundation for Healthy Communities (Information on Advance Health Directives and other Initiatives) .................. 603-225-0900

NH ServiceLink Network ........................................................ 866-634-9412

Poison Center Helpline ......................................................... 800-222-1222

Retired & Senior Volunteer Program Carroll County RSVP ............................................................ 603-356-9331

Coos County RSVP ............................................................... 603-752-4103

Friends RSVP (Covering Belknap, Merrimack, Strafford

and Rockingham Counties) ................................................... 800-536-1193

Monadnock RSVP Keene Office ............................................................................ 603-357-6893 Peterborough Office ................................................................ 603-924-7350

RSVP of Grafton & Sullivan Counties ................. 877-711-7787 (Toll Free)

Southern NH Services RSVP ................................................ 603-668-8010

Senior Companion Program .................................................. 800-856-5525

Senior Law Project ...............................888-353-9944 or TTY: 800-634-8989

Social Security Administration ............................................. 800-772-1213

Veterans Council ........................................ 800-622-9230 or 603-624-9230

Area Committees on Aging The Area Committees on Aging (ACOAs) are independent local advocacy

groups comprised of older adults, service providers and other members of the public. The ACOAs hold community-based meetings to discuss legislation and other issues that affect seniors, and often sponsor educational programs. ACOAs work closely with the State Committee on Aging and other senior groups. NOTE: Please call your local ACOA contact below for information on meeting dates, times and locations.

BELKNAP COUNTY Stace Dicker-Hendricks 528-2855

CARROLL COUNTY To be determined

CHESHIRE COUNTY To be determined

COOS COUNTY Mark M.E. Frank 788-4825

GRAFTON COUNTY To be determined

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY(Greater Manchester) Dottie Gove 518-4305

State Committee on Aging The State Committee on Aging (SCOA) is composed of 18 members, 15

of whom are appointed by the governor, and three by the legislative leader-ship. SCOA identifies and represents the needs of senior citizens to state administrators and policymakers, facilitates administration by consumers in the program planning process and works closely with other advocacy groups on senior issues. SCOA meets monthly and meetings are open to the public. For meeting information, call 1-800-351-1888, x9215.

HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY(Greater Nashua) Contact: Margo Bell 889-6155

MERRIMACK COUNTY To be determined

ROCKINGHAM COUNTY Connie Young 893-9769

STRAFFORD COUNTY Dr. Candace Cole-McCrea 652-7594

SULLIVAN COUNTY Cheryl Frey or Nora Kells-Gordon 542-1177

Office of the Long-Term Care OmbudsmanThe Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman receives, services, inves-

tigates and resolves complaints or problems concerning residents of long-term health care facilities. The program also provides advocacy services to long-term health care residents, and comments on existing and proposed legislation, regulations and policies affecting long-term care residents. Edu-cation is provided to residents, family members and facility staff concerning the legal rights of residents. To contact the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, call 1-800-442-5640 (if calling within NH) or 603-271-4375 (if calling from outside NH).

Kathy BaldridgeHillsborough County (603) 493-4472

Kenneth Berlin (Vice-Chair)Hillsborough County (301) 676-9888

Dr. Candace Cole-McCrea (Chair)Strafford County(603) 652-7594

Susan EmersonCheshire County (603) 899-6529Larry FlintSullivan County (603) 863-6397Mark M.E. FrankCoos County (603) 788-4825

Kristi St. LaurentRockingham County (603) 845-9174Mary Catherine RawlsSullivan County (603) 650-6067Senator Ruth Ward (R-Stoddard)Legislative LiaisonEmail: ruth.ward@leg.state.nh.us

Areas Needing SCOARepresentation:Grafton, Carroll, Merrimack, and Strafford Counties.(See the “Dear NH Seniors” letter on page 3 of Aging Issues.)

Reminder: Aging Issues Available OnlineEnjoy a printed copy of Aging Issues or read it online by visiting the website at www.dhhs.nh.gov/dcbcs/beas