AHA Moments – May 12, 2026
Welcome to this week’s “AHA Moments,” a weekly news flash regarding key events, happenings, articles, and other relevant information for our stakeholders.
Summer Caregiver Support
Granite VNA is hosting two free summer programs for caregivers and those living with cognitive impairment: Memory Mix & Mingle in Meredith and Caregiver Conversations at the Wolfeboro Public Library. These welcoming sessions offer connection, practical tools, and expert guidance to help you feel supported and confident in your caregiving journey.
Visit Granite VNA’s online calendar for dates, details, and registration information.
Age Inclusivity in Higher Education
Did you know? The Gerontological Society of America’s Age Inclusivity in Higher Education (AIHE) initiative offers tools and resources to help colleges and universities create more age-inclusive campuses for learners, faculty, staff, and community members of all ages. Resources include a Quick Start Guide, campus climate survey tools, evidence-based strategies, webinars, newsletters, and practical toolkits focused on addressing ageism, supporting intergenerational learning, and advancing inclusive policies and practices across higher education.
Planning for Aging Without a Family Caregiver
Roughly one in four Americans age 65+ are aging without a spouse, adult children, or nearby family to rely on for support. Dartmouth Health is hosting a free, virtual session on Friday, May 15 at 1:00 PM with attorney Renee Harvey to explore the personal and legal considerations of aging as a solo senior. The discussion will also offer practical steps to help attendees start planning for the future.
Project ECHO Opportunities
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Public Safety & Behavioral Health Collaboration ECHO: Effective Crisis Responses in Your Community
First responders and behavioral health professionals in New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont are invited to join this free series exploring coordinated responses to mental health and substance use crises. Topics will include first responder and behavioral health roles in crisis care, NH rapid response models, regional insights into current crisis response systems, ongoing support for individuals with recurrent crises, trauma and vicarious trauma, and community and state-level strategies to strengthen collaboration. Sessions will be held every other Wednesday at 12:00–1:00 PM from June 10–September 2.
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Explore Ageism & Improve Care for Older Adults with Project ECHO: PEACE
Project ECHO: Aging, Community, and Equity (PEACE) will run every other Wednesday from May 20–July 29, offering biweekly virtual sessions that examine the root causes of ageism, its impact on health, and strategies to reframe aging across policy, culture, and care. Designed for professionals and caregivers supporting older adults in rural New England and northern New York, this program will use expert-led, case-based learning to drive real-world impact.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), held on June 15, raises awareness and promotes action to prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults. Resources from the National Center on Elder Abuse help communities identify, respond to, and prevent harm while supporting inclusive, respectful aging. Events like Walk for WEAAD, for which registration opened on April 15, offer ways to get involved.
Americans Turning to AI for Healthcare Support
A recent Gallup poll reveals nearly one in four Americans are using AI tools for health information, driven by speed, cost concerns, and limited access to care. Many turn to AI outside office hours or to supplement doctor visits, with lower-income individuals more likely to rely on it due to financial barriers.
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