AHA Moments – July 28, 2026
Welcome to this week’s “AHA Moments,” a weekly news flash regarding key events, happenings, articles, and other relevant information for our stakeholders.
Dartmouth Health Awarded $11.8M NIH Grant to Advance Aging Research
Dartmouth Health has received an $11.8 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to launch the Center for Aging with Serious Illness (CASI), a new research program focused on improving care and quality of life for older adults living with chronic, serious illness—particularly in rural communities. The center will support groundbreaking research, develop early-career clinician-scientists, and help shape future healthcare practices and policy for one of the nation’s fastest-growing patient populations.
Need Help Using Manchester’s Public Bus System?
Interested in riding Manchester’s public buses? The Manchester Transit Authority (MTA) and the Southern New Hampshire Planning Commission (SNHPC) offer personalized assistance to help you learn how to use the bus system with confidence. Reduced fares are available for older adults.
For transportation assistance, contact Ben Herbert, Regional Mobility Manager at SNHPC, at 603-669-4664 or bherbert@snhpc.org.
Older Adults Face Rising Risk of Homelessness in New Hampshire
A recent article from the Granite State News Collaborative highlights the growing number of older adults experiencing homelessness in New Hampshire, as housing costs continue to outpace fixed incomes. Service providers across the state report increasing demand from older adults facing housing instability, underscoring the need for more affordable housing, stronger support services, and coordinated solutions for the state’s aging population.
Upcoming Partner Events
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Webinar: Libraries as Age-Inclusive Spaces
The Tri-State Learning Collaborative on Aging will host a free webinar on September 24 highlighting how libraries are expanding outreach, creating age-inclusive programs, and strengthening connections across generations. Attendees will hear from library staff and community partners, and gain practical ideas for partnering with libraries to help build more age-friendly, longevity-ready communities.
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North Country Public Health Conference
Registration is open for the second Annual North Country Public Health Conference, taking place October 13–14 at the Omni Mount Washington Resort in Bretton Woods, NH. The two-day event will bring together public health professionals, healthcare providers, educators, students, and community leaders from across the region for learning, collaboration, and networking.
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Webinar: PEARLS, an Evidence-Based Program to Address Depression and Social Isolation in Older Adults
The Administration for Community Living’s Commit to Connect initiative will host a webinar on Wednesday, July 29, highlighting the Program to Encourage Active, Rewarding Lives (PEARLS), an evidence-based intervention that helps reduce depression and social isolation among older adults. Presenters from the University of Washington and area agencies on aging will discuss the connection between depression and social isolation, the research behind PEARLS, and lessons learned from implementing the program in communities.
Strategies to Support Brain Health as We Age
A new guide from the National Center for Equitable Care for Elders highlights the importance of brain health in later life and provides practical strategies for health centers to help older adults support cognitive health, maintain independence, and improve quality of life. The guide outlines the CARE framework, focused on cardiovascular health, activity, relationships, and eating, as a tool for incorporating brain health conversations and lifestyle support into routine care.
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