AHA Moments – July 21, 2026

The New Hampshire State Commission on Aging has released a response to recent narratives that place blame on older adults for challenges like housing shortages and workforce pressures. Instead, the Commission highlights the shared needs of people across generations and calls for collaborative, age-inclusive solutions that strengthen communities for everyone.

Easterseals NH is holding a celebration for the groundbreaking of Phase II of its Military & Veterans Campus in Franklin on Tuesday, August 4. The expansion will bring the Solinsky Equine & Recreation Center and Solinsky Empowerment Center to life, increasing access to equine therapy, service dog programming, recreation, art and music therapy, Veterans Count care coordination, and other programs that support military members, Veterans, first responders, and their families.

The Housing and Services Resource Center (HSRC) will host a webinar on Wednesday, July 29, highlighting lessons from its Housing & Services Partnership Accelerator and introducing a new Partnership Toolkit for building cross-sector collaborations. Team leads from Michigan, Arizona, and New Hampshire will also share how their cross-sector partnerships are supporting housing stability for older adults and people with disabilities and respond to audience questions.

The RAISE Family Caregiving Advisory Council and the Advisory Council to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (SGRG) will hold a joint meeting on Wednesday, July 29 to review updates to the National Strategy to Support Family Caregivers and vote on proposed changes before federal clearance. The hybrid meeting will also feature a panel discussion on implementing the strategy and will be available via livestream for remote attendees.

Meeting information and materials will be posted in advance on the RAISE and SGRG webpages.

A new study from Penn State College of Medicine found that just four minutes of daily strength exercises significantly improved balance, mobility, and lower-body strength in adults ages 65 and older after 12 weeks. Researchers say the simple routine may help reduce fall risk and support independent living by making regular exercise more achievable.

ADvancing States, in partnership with the National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities and the National Association of Medicaid Directors, recently created an infographic on the purpose, value, and impact of Medicaid Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS). This resource includes an overview of key services, facts and figures on HCBS utilization and spending, and trends and growth through rebalancing efforts. ADvancing States encourages members to use and share this infographic as a foundation for conversations about Medicaid HCBS.

As summer grilling season continues, nutrition experts at Dartmouth Cancer Center are encouraging cooks to take simple steps to reduce potential cancer risks associated with high-heat cooking. Choosing lean meats, marinating before grilling, avoiding excessive charring, and adding more fruits and vegetables to the menu can help reduce the formation of potentially harmful compounds while still enjoying favorite summer meals.