Measurement

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

  • Measures

    • DEMOGRAPHICS

      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)

       

    • ECONOMICS

      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)

       

    • WELLNESS AND PREVENTION

      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)

       

    • CHRONIC DISEASE

      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)

       

    Related Resources

    Resource List Coming Soon

A Broad Range of Living Arrangements are Available

  • Measures

    • PLANNING AND ZONING

      Target planning and zoning regulations achieved: Statewide and Community

      No data available at this time.

       

       

       

    • RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT LIVING AT HOME

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

      No data available at this time.

       

       

       

    • CHOICE AND SATISFACTION

      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.

       

       

       

    • AFFORDABLE

      There are no existing measures at this time.

       

       

       

       

    • HOME MODIFICATIONS OPTIONS

      There are no existing measures at this time.

       

       

       

       

    Related Resources

    Resource List Coming Soon

Fundamental Needs are Met

  • Food

    • FOOD SECURITY

      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)

       

    • FOOD NUTRITION AND ACCESS

      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
      49% of New Hampshire adults age 65+ live more than 1 miles from a supermarket

      (source USDA, Food Atlas, 2025)

       

      NEW HAMPSHIRE
      1% of New Hampshire adults age 65+ live more than 10 miles from a supermarket

      (source USDA, Food Atlas, 2025)

    Related Resources

  • Safety

    • HOME SAFETY: FALLS

      NEW HAMPSHIRE
      Percentage of adults aged 65 and older reported having a fall within the last 12 months
      UNITED STATES
      percentage of adults aged 65 and older reported having a fall within the last 12 months
      NEW HAMPSHIRE
      1,285 unintentional deaths due to falls among adults over age 65+
      UNITED STATES
      1,785 unintentional deaths due to falls among adults over age 65+

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

       

    • HOME SAFETY: EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS

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

      FEMA (2025)

       

      NEW HAMPSHIRE
      Percentage of towns that have a call list of people age 65 and older living in their community

      No data available at this time.

       

    • TRANSPORTATION SAFETY

      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)

       

    • FINANCIAL SAFETY

      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)

       

    • ACCESSIBILITY: HOUSING

      NEW HAMPSHIRE
      NH Livability Score is 54. This is in the top half of communities in the U.S.

      AARP (2025)

       

      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)

       

    • ACCESSIBILITY: COMMUNITY

      NEW HAMPSHIRE
      17 communities in New Hampshire that have Complete Streets Policies

      Smart Growth America, 2025

      UNITED STATES
      1,700+ Complete Street Policies have been adopted across the U.S.

      Smart Growth America, 2025

    • PERSONAL SAFETY

      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

      New Hampshire Home- and Community- Based Services Systems Assessment and Gaps Analysis (2024)

       

    • MEDICATION SAFETY

      NEW HAMPSHIRE
      47.3 overdose deaths of adults over the 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)

       

    Related Resources

  • Information About Services

    • INTERNET ACCESS

      NEW HAMPSHIRE
      Percentage of households with adults age 65 and older that have a broadband internet subscription and a computer, smartphone or tablet
      UNITED STATES
      Percentage of households with adults age 65 and older that have a broadband internet subscription and a computer, smartphone or tablet

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

       

      NEW HAMPSHIRE
      Percentage of adults aged 65 and older who have a working cell phone

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

       

    • TRUSTED INFORMATION SOURCES

      NEW HAMPSHIRE
      234 public libraries

      Source: NH Library Trustees

       

      NEW HAMPSHIRE
      Number of communities that have access to local or regional public library

      Source: No data available at this time

       

      NEW HAMPSHIRE
      50 senior centers

      Source: NH Healthy Aging Data Report

       

      NEW HAMPSHIRE
      Services exist for older adults to get information including Aging and Disability Resource Centers, 2-1-1, and Keep NH Moving

      Source: Aging and Disability Resource Network, Department of Health and Human Services; United Way; State Coordinating Council (2025)

       

    Related Resources

    Resource List Coming Soon

  • Shelter/Warmth

    • SHELTER/WARMTH

      NEW HAMPSHIRE
      2,245 individuals were unhoused in NH in 2024. In this point in time count, 442 individuals were aged 55+ (19.7% of total number). Of those 55+, 294 were ages 55 to 64, and 148 were ages 65+.

      NH Coalition to End Homelessness (2025)

      NEW HAMPSHIRE
      The number of NH residents aged 65+ experiencing homelessness over the course of each year has increased every year since 2020, jumping from 382 people in 2020 to 614 in 2024, an increase of 60.7%.

      NH Coalition to End Homelessness (2025)

    Related Resources

    Resource List Coming Soon

  • Transportation

    • ACCESS AND AVAILABILITY OF TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

      NEW HAMPSHIRE
      Percentage of communities that have any demand response services available

      No data available at this time

       

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

      No data available at this time

       

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

      No data available at this time

       

    • VOLUNTEER DRIVER PROGAM

      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)

       

    • AWARENESS OF TRANSPORTATION OPTIONS

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

      No data available at this time

       

    • OTHER TRANSPORTATION INDICATORS

      Number of missed medical appointments due to lack of transportation.  

      No data available at this time

       

    Related Resources

    Resource List Coming Soon

Support Provided to
Caregivers and Families

  • Measures

    • ACCESS TO INFORMATION ON SERVICES AND SUPPORTS

      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.

       

       

       

    • CAREGIVER EDUCATION AND TRAINING PROGRAMS

      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.

       

       

       

    • FLEXIBLE FUNDING TO MEET UNIQUE NEEDS OF CAREGIVERS

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

      No data available at this time.

       

       

       

    • MORE CONSISTENT PAY FOR FORMAL, PAID CAREGIVERS

      There are no existing measures at this time.

       

       

       

       

    • RESPITE CARE

      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.

       

       

       

    Related Resources

    Resource List Coming Soon

Social and Civic Engagement Options are Plentiful

Quality Physical and Mental Wellbeing Supports are in Place

  • Measures

    • ACCESS TO PREVENTATIVE CARE

      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)

       

    • ACCESS TO MEDICAL, MENTAL HEALTH, AND PALLIATIVE CARE

      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.

       

       

       

    • PLANNING FOR END OF LIFE CARE

      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.

       

       

       

    Related Resources

    Resource List Coming Soon

Advocates for Elder Issues are Effective

  • Measures

    • CULTURAL VIEW OF ELDERS IS POSITIVE/REALISTIC

      State Commission on Aging is in Place

      No data available at this time.

       

       

       

      Functioning advocacy infrastructure

      No data available at this time.

       

       

       

    • LAWS ARE ELDER FRIENDLY

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

       

       

       

       

    • AGING ISSUES ARE A COMMUNITY-WIDE PRIORITY

      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)

       

    Related Resources

    Resource List Coming Soon

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.

Upcoming Events

JUN

01

NHAHA Advocacy Workgroup

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JUN

02

AHA Direct Care Workforce Meeting

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JUN

05

AHA Caregiving Workgroup Meeting

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News

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Welcome to this week’s “AHA Moments,” a weekly news flash regarding key events, happenings, articles, and other relevant information for our stakeholders.…

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AHA Moments – May 5, 2026

May 5, 2026

Welcome to this week’s “AHA Moments,” a weekly news flash regarding key events, happenings, articles, and other relevant information for our stakeholders.…

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