COMMUNITY PARTNER OF EVERYDAY WELLNESS
Every other week, Monitor staff writes about a feature article exploring wellness in the Capital Region. We’d like to thank our Community Partner Concord Hospital. Our Community Partners do not participate in the selection of these articles. That is fully at the discretion of our journalists.
Despite offering supportive resources like community gardens and libraries, Concord has the highest depression rate among seniors in the state, with 38% of older adults reporting symptoms.
Chronic illness affects over 56% of Concord residents aged 65 and older, a matter of physical health that can influence seniors’ mental well-being, according to the report.
For adults 65 and older in New Hampshire, hypertension is one of the leading chronic health concerns.
There are also positive signs among New Hampshire’s aging population, which continues to grow, making the state the second-oldest in the nation.
According to the report, 61% of older adults in New Hampshire are actively engaged in volunteerism.
“Older adults are sometimes viewed as a drain on our systems,” said Jennifer Rabalais, co-director of the Center on Aging and Community Living. “But there are many contributions that come from an aging population as well.”
Despite these contributions and the growth of the aging population in New Hampshire, the New Hampshire House of Representatives has proposed a controversial budget-cutting measure aimed at eliminating New Hampshire’s Commission on Aging.
Rabalais, co-director of the Center on Aging and Community Living, warned that dismantling the commission would be a significant setback, as it is a vital source of expertise and a central hub for education, resources and information on aging issues.
“The commission is a connecting point, and it has significant outreach into communities for older adults. Then it can bring that feedback back to leaders in our state,” said Rabalais. “What we would lose is that understanding about what’s happening in our state.”
One of the commission’s most critical roles has been leading a statewide analysis of transportation, uncovering gaps that hinder older adults from accessing essential activities such as medical appointments, grocery shopping and social engagement.
“We know transportation is a struggle in New Hampshire, and it’s not as robustly funded as in other states,” said Rabalais. “It’s just a critical piece of activity that no one else is doing right now, and so that is funded by the Commission on Aging.”
While New Hampshire has made strides to support its aging population, Fitzpatrick said there is still room for improvement.
A key area, she noted, is investing in resources that allow older adults to age in place.
“People really want to stay at home when that’s a good environment for them rather than going into a nursing home or some higher level of care,” said Fitzpatrick. “So, as a population ages, we need communities that enhance personal independence, that allow residents to age in place and foster residents’ engagement in the community.”
