AHA Moments – April 28, 2026

The NH Alliance for Healthy Aging (NHAHA) Caregiving Workgroup is hosting Coffee and Caregiving Conversation on Friday, May 22, from 8:30–10:00 AM. Head to the Foundation for Healthy Communities in Concord for engaging conversation, valuable connections, and time to network with others in the caregiving community.

Have you ever thought about how ageism impacts your life and the life of those around you? Ageism, which includes stereotypes, prejudice, and discrimination towards others or ourselves based on age, often goes unnoticed – yet it carries serious consequences for individuals and society alike. Rooted in our beliefs, institutions, and relationships, it affects how we see ourselves and others. To confront this, NHAHA is launching the Leadership Exchange on Ageism (LEA) in New Hampshire. This 14-hour, participatory leadership program fosters a deeper understanding of ageism, challenges participants to recognize their role in ending it, and equips them with practical tools to take action. Dates to be released soon.

Join the University System of New Hampshire for one of their upcoming Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Regional Forums, designed to bring together healthcare, education, and community partners to share lived experience, regional nuance, and forward-looking insights. Sessions will be from 4:00-6:30 PM and held May 1 at UNH Manchester, May 11 at Plymouth State University, May 14 at Keene State College, May 21 at Great Bay Community College, and June 5 from 9:30 AM–12:00 PM at Littleton Regional Healthcare.

HealthForce NH’s 2026 Innovation Challenge spotlighted creative solutions to strengthen the state’s healthcare workforce. The first-place winner, awarded $100,000, focused on building a structured pathway for high school students to explore allied health specialties, earn credentials, and connect directly with health care employers across the state. The second place, $60,000 award went to a program focused on keeping NH’s workforce healthy through coaching and coordinated support. And, the third place, $40,000 award recognized an initiative providing frontline caregivers with timely mental health resources to improve well-being and retention.

If you couldn’t make your own medical decisions, would the right person be chosen to speak for you? Hosted by The Foundation for Healthy Communities, Patricia O’Connor, MSN, APRN, ACHPN, will lead a free Lunch & Learn on May 6 about why everyone 18+ should have a legally designated healthcare representative and how to make your wishes known.

Tune in to the event from 12–1 PM via Zoom (Meeting ID: 883 3307 8351 | Passcode: 781033). No registration is required.

It may be time for you to renew your Medicaid benefits. Look for the due date on the notice you received from the NH Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). If you have opted to go paperless, you will see a link highlighted in yellow in your NH EASY account.

If your due date is coming up in the next 60 days, you can renew, or learn more about redetermination. 

Residents of the Concord area and Lakes Region are invited to take a Community Health Survey to help identify the most important health needs in the area. The anonymous survey takes about 10 minutes and helps guide programs and services that improve community health and safety.