Tracking Progress for Healthy Aging in NH

The New Hampshire Alliance for Healthy Aging identified six domains as the focus of our collective impact initiative to promote a strong, stable infrastructure for healthy aging. These domains include Living Arrangements, Family Caregivers, Social and Civic Engagement, Physical and Mental Well-being, Advocacy, and Fundamental Needs. Building on the momentum of the strategic priority workgroups, we established a measurement framework to monitor performance and track progress to achieve our shared vision.

Assessing the Healthy Aging Field

In parallel with NHAHA’s measurement efforts, a Field Assessment Tool (FASST) is used to assess the capacity of the healthy aging field in New Hampshire. Developed by the Behavioral Health Improvement Institute, the healthy aging field can be thought of as individuals, groups, and organizations working to improve aging issues. FASST uses seven domains to assess the healthy aging field including: Shared Purpose, Leadership and Community Support, Shared Knowledge, Quality Programs and Services, Adequate Funding and Support for Policy, Adaptive Capacity, and Equity. To gather this information, FASST interviewed key informants on each of these domains. FASST has been used three times (i.e., 2016, 2019, 2023) to track progress and assess the healthy aging field. Results have shown that over time, the field of healthy aging has made improvements. For example, there has been a deepening of collaboration across aging initiatives, growing engagement with diversity, equity, and inclusion, and rapid adoption of remote technologies. For more information and data on FASST, click here.

 

Measurement Framework

To best assess how the aging field and communities are changing over time, our measurement framework focuses on both process and outcome strategies.

Process Strategy: Process indicators are used to identify and track short-term goals for each of the strategic priority workgroups and committees using goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Timely (SMART).

Outcome Strategy: The six domain areas of NHAHA’s shared vision provide the groundwork for measuring our long-term success in relation to creating and maintaining age friendly communities. Therefore, our outcome strategy assesses, monitors, and tracks important aspects of communities and systems that support older adults and their families. This includes providing data that is consistent and reliable, and providing a national comparator when available. Measuring social determinants of health from a person-centered perspective, a key aspect of the NHAHA shared vision, is gaining traction as the awareness of social aspects of health increases. Currently, there are limited data sources that take this approach. NHAHA will continue to address the gaps in our outcome measurement strategy as sources become available.

Click on the domain and general measures in the wheel to review the NHAHA outcome measures.

 

General Measures

NEW HAMPSHIRE - 2017
Percentage of population age 65 years and over:
UNITED STATES - 2017
Percentage of population age 65 years and over:

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (2017)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE - 2017
Percentage of population age 65 years and over by County

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (2017)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
Percentage of adults aged 65 years and older: By gender
UNITED STATES
Percentage of adults aged 65 years and older: By gender

Source: New Hampshire Healthy Aging Data Report (2019) and American Community Survey (2018)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
3.6% of adults aged 60 years and older that are minorities
UNITED STATES
24.5% of adults aged 60 years and older that are minorities

Source: Administration for Community Living, Aging Integrated Database (2015)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
26.1% of adults aged 65 years and older that live alone
UNITED STATES
27.4% of adults aged 65 years and older that live alone

Source: New Hampshire Healthy Aging Data Report (2019) and American Community Survey (2018)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
30.6% of adults aged 65 years and older that has a bachelor’s degree or higher
UNITED STATES
25% of adults aged 65 years and older that has a bachelor’s degree or higher

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (2016)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
3.9% of adults who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT)
UNITED STATES
10% of adults who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT)

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Gallop, Williams Institute UCLA School of Law (2016)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
24.8% of adults aged 65 years and older who are Veterans
UNITED STATES
47.9% of adults aged 65 years and older who are Veterans

Source: New Hampshire Healthy Aging Data Report (2019) and U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (2016)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
6.1% of adults aged 65 years and older who live in households at or below 100% of the poverty threshold
UNITED STATES
9.0% of adults aged 65 years and older who live in households at or below 100% of the poverty threshold

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (2017)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
51.3% of adults aged 65 years and older who reported that their health is very good or excellent
UNITED STATES
41.2% of adults aged 65 years and older who reported that their health is very good or excellent

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2017)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
54.4% of adults aged 65 years and older with four or more (out of 15) chronic conditions

Source: New Hampshire Healthy Aging Data Report (2019) and United States Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (2017)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
10.3% of adults aged 65 years and older with 0 (zero) chronic conditions

Source: New Hampshire Healthy Aging Data Report (2019)

 


A Broad Range of Living Arrangements are Available

Target planning and zoning regulations achieved: Statewide and Community

No data available at this time.

 

 

 


Communities or individuals serviced by organizations supporting “living at home”

No data available at this time.

 

 

 


54.0% of people aged 55 and older rated their community as excellent or very good as a place for older people to live.
61.0% of people aged 55 and older rated their community as excellent or very good as a place for older people to live.

Source: National Member Opinion Survey, NH Findings, AARP (2012)

 


Adults aged 65 and older who are satisfied with their living arrangements

No data available at this time.

 

 

 


Adults aged 65 and older who are planning for a different living arrangement

No data available at this time.

 

 

 


Adults aged 65 and older who are concerned about their future living arrangement

No data available at this time.

 

 

 


There are no existing measures at this time.

 

 

 

 


There are no existing measures at this time.

 

 

 

 

Fundamental Needs are Met

NEW HAMPSHIRE
% of adults aged 60+ who faced the threat of hunger in the last 12 months
UNITED STATES
% of adults aged 60+ who faced the threat of hunger in the last 12 months

Feeding America, The State of Senior Hunger in America Report Series

 


New Hampshire
Meals served by Meals on Wheels Programs (including home-delivered and congregate)
UNITED STATES
Meals served by Meals on Wheels Programs (including home-delivered and congregate)

Administration on Community Living, AGID Database

 


New Hampshire - 2021
70% of individuals receiving Meals on Wheels who experience food insecurity

Meals on Wheels: NH Fact Sheet (2021)
Administration on Community Living, AGID Databse (2021)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE - 2025
42.7% of households with one or more people aged 60 years and older receiving food stamps/SNAP benefits  
UNITED STATES - 2025
41.3% of households with one or more people aged 60 years and older receiving food stamps/SNAP benefits  

U.S. Census (2023)

 


New Hampshire - 2025
234 food pantries, congregate meals, soup kitchens, and mobile food pantries in New Hampshire

*Note: This indicator does not speak to food preferences, quality of food provided, or the rate of utilization.
UNH Cooperative Extension (2025)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE - 2025

Food Access Research Atlas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) defines a food desert as a community where there is at least a 20% poverty rate and 33% of the residents of the community live more than 1 mile from the nearest grocery store in urban areas or 10 miles from the nearest grocery store in rural areas.

 

U. S. Department of Agriculture (2025) https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-access-research-atlas/go-to-the-atlas

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
28.4% of people age 60+ years with poor supermarket access

Healthy Aging Data Report – 2017

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE
Percentage of adults aged 65 and older reported having a fall within the last 12 months
UNITED STATES
28.7% of adults aged 65 and older reported having a fall within the last 12 months

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2017, 2023)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
Number of fall-related hospital/emergency room visits for adults aged 65 and older
UNITED STATES
Number of fall-related hospital/emergency room visits for adults aged 65 and older - No Comparative

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Injury Prevention and Control (2009)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
187 towns/communities have local/town Hazard Mitigation Plans

FEMA (2025)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
"percent or number of towns that have a call list of people age 65 and older living in their community.

No data available at this time.

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
97 road related fatalities among those aged 55-64, 68 fatalities among those between ages 65-74, and 64 among those who are 75+

NH Department of Motor Safety (2017 – 2021)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
708 non-fatal crashes (including serious and non-serious injuries) involving people ages 61-70; 414 involving people ages 71-80, and 155 for people age 81+.

NH Department of Motor Safety (2021)

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE
9.5 internet crime victim complaints per 10,000 adults age 60+
UNITED STATES
11.2 internet crime victim complaints per 10,000 adults age 60+

Federal Bureau of Investigation (2023)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
408 individuals over the age of 60 lost $11,339,097 due to internet crime
UNITED STATES
101,068 individuals over the age of 60 lost $3.4 billion due to internet crime

Federal Bureau of Investigation (2023)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
NH Liveability Score is 53. This is in the top half of communities in the U.S.

AARP

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
69% of older adults indicated that they needed services for yard work, trash removal, or snow shoveling.

State Plan on Aging Survey (2023)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
2 violent crimes per 100,000 people among those 65+
UNITED STATES
399 violent crimes per 100,000 people among those 65+

Federal Bureau of Investigation (2022)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
54.1% of CFI participants that use a personal emergency response system

Systems Assesment and Gaps Analysis

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE
47.3 overdose death of adults over age of 60
NEW HAMPSHIRE
237.6 drug overdose/abuse incidents of adults age 60+

NH Drug Monitoring Initiative (2024)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
49.1 Part D monthly prescription fills per person annually

Healthy Aging Data Report (2025)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
79% of Medicare enrollees 65+ who have prescription drug coverage

America’s Health Rankings (2019)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
Percentage of adults aged 65 and older live in a household that has access to the Internet and phone
UNITED STATES
76.1% of adults aged 65 and older live in a household that has access to the Internet and phone

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
Percentage of adults aged 65 and older who have a working cell phone
UNITED STATES
91% of adults aged 65 and older have a working cell phone

Source: National Member Opinion Survey, NH Findings, AARP (2012)

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE
234 public libraries

Source: NH Library Trustees

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
50 senior centers

Source: NH Healthy Aging Data Report

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
Aging and Disability Resource Center exists in each county

Source: Aging and Disability Resource Network, DHHS

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
2-1-1 exists statewide

Source: United Way

 


Adults aged 65 and older in the past 12 months who were unable to pay mortgage, rent, or utility

No data available at this time.

 

 

 

Adults aged 65 and older who are experiencing homelessness

No data available at this time.

 

 

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE
xx% of communities that have any demand response services available

Regional Mobility Management Network (2025)

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE
% of communities that have demand response services that cover medical care 

Regional Mobility Management Network (2025)

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE
% of communities that have demand response services that cover rides to grocery stores, social engagements, and other rides.

Regional Mobility Management Network (2025)

 

Volunteer Driver Programs (VDPs) are complex and vary by provider and region. Service types, eligibility, trip purpose, service area, scheduling requirements, and rider criteria differ across programs. As a result, access remains difficult to measure consistently, and residents can face confusion and barriers when trying to understand what is available and how to use it.

 

 

 

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE
81% of state covered by a VDP

NHAHA Volunteer Driver Initiative (2023)

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE
190 communities served
NEW HAMPSHIRE
35,894 requested trips

NHAHA Volunteer Driver Initiative (2023)

 

NEW HAMPSHIRE
713, 532 miles traveled

NHAHA Volunteer Driver Initiative (2023)

 

% of medical practices that know where to direct patients to receive transportation  

No data available at this time.

 

# of missed medical appointments due to lack of transportation.  

No data available at this time.

 

Support Provided to
Caregivers and Families

NEW HAMPSHIRE
YES - A guide to services for older adults exists
UNITED STATES
N/A - A guide to services for older adults exists

Source: NH Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Elderly and Adults Services (2018)

*NH DHHS Division of Long-Term Supports and Services, Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services produces a “Guide to Services” document. In addition, NH 211 and NHCarePath have searchable databases for serves.

 


Awareness of services and supports

No data available at this time.

 

 

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
YES - Availability of informational guides on a variety of issues for NH Caregivers
UNITED STATES
N/A - Availability of informational guides on a variety of issues for NH Caregivers

Source: Provided by multiple organizations

 


Number of community programs for NH Caregivers: Geographically Distributed

No data available at this time.

 

 

 


An average amount of out of pocket spending on caregiving, as reported by adults 18 years and older.

No data available at this time.

 

 

 


There are no existing measures at this time.

 

 

 

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
YES - Availability of respite care options
UNITED STATES
N/A - Availability of respite care options

Source: NH Department of Health and Human Services, ServiceLink Aging and Disability Resource Center Searchable Database

 


Awareness of respite care options

No data available at this time.

 

 

 

Social and Civic Engagement Options are Plentiful

NEW HAMPSHIRE
32.3% of people aged 65 and older report volunteering in the past 12 months
UNITED STATES
26% of people aged 65 and older report volunteering in the past 12 months

Source: Corporation for National and Community Service (2017)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
6.5% of people aged 65 and older are experiencing frequent mental distress
UNITED STATES
7.3% of people aged 65 and older are experiencing frequent mental distress

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2016)

 


There are no existing measures at this time.

 

 

 

 


There are no existing measures at this time.

 

 

 

 


Quality Physical and Mental Wellbeing Supports are in Place

NEW HAMPSHIRE
96.0% of adults aged 65 years and older reported having a personal doctor or health care provider
UNITED STATES
94.8% of adults aged 65 years and older reported having a personal doctor or health care provider

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2017)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
10.3% of adults aged 65 years and older reported not being able to see a doctor because of cost
UNITED STATES
12.0% of adults aged 65 years and older reported not being able to see a doctor because of cost

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (2016)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
27,796 Medicare Managed Care Enrollees
UNITED STATES
18,478,199 Medicare Managed Care Enrollees

Source: Kaiser Family Foundation, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, (2017)

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
54.8% of geriatricians required to meet an estimated need of the aging population
UNITED STATES
65.7% of geriatricians required to meet an estimated need of the aging population

Source: American Geriatrics Society (2017)

 


Availability of quality paid direct care/paid caregivers

No data available at this time.

 

 

 

Adults aged 65 years and older who did not take prescribed medications because of cost

No data available at this time.

 

 

 

Unmet needs for support services

No data available at this time.

 

 

 


Adults aged 65 years and older that have a legal document that describes what care you would want or not want if you needed care and were not able to make those decisions for yourself? Some names for this are “advance directive”, “living will”, and “POLST” (Physician’s Order for Life-Sustaining Treatment)

No data available at this time.

 

 

 


Advocates for Elder Issues are Effective

There are no existing measures at this time.

 

 

 

 


No reliable and/or valid indicator available at this time.

 

 

 

 


Adults, 18 years and older, interested in how their community invests in well-being, signaling a broader expectation for well-being

No data available at this time.

 

 

 


NEW HAMPSHIRE
YES - NH DHHS Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services publishes a newsletter called “Aging Issues”
UNITED STATES
N/A - NH DHHS Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services publishes a newsletter called “Aging Issues”

Source: NH Department of Health and Human Services, Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services (2018)

 

State Commission on Aging is in Place

No data available at this time.

 

 

 


Functioning advocacy infrastructure

No data available at this time.

 

 

 


Additional Resources

These resources are for individuals interested in exploring and understanding their community’s older adult health and wellness status, or perhaps launching an age-friendly initiative or program in their community.

The New Hampshire Healthy Aging Data Report is designed to help communities understand more about the health of older people throughout the state. With research designed and led by the University of Massachusetts Boston, the report includes 244 Community Profiles —one for every city and town in New Hampshire and includes 166 health indicators and state averages. The original report was launched in 2019 and updated in 2025.

Includes data sets, tools, and visualizations.

Disability statistics published by many federal agencies into one place.

A measure of the income that older adults need to meet their basic needs and age in place with dignity. The Elder Index is specific to household size, location, housing tenure, and health status.

Offers a wide range of measures, reports, and related resources for Medicaid and other DHHS program data.

Provides information about health data sources and reports.

Provides interactive dashboards to measure health, health risks, and health outcomes, illustrating the well-being of NH and our communities.

A report developed every 5-7 years and describes the status of a variety of issues related to the health of the people in New Hampshire. The SHA provides the foundation for the State Health Improvement Plan (SHIP) which helps decision makers in choosing where to put resources to address NH residents’ greatest health needs.

Offers tools and resources to build sustainable age-friendly initiatives, including assessment and measurement tools.

A cooperative about improving what is measured in communities.

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AHA Caregiving Workgroup Meeting

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NHAHA Advocacy Workgroup

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AHA Direct Care Workforce Meeting

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