The state Commission on Aging presented its annual report and an executive summary of a community transportation needs assessment to the Health and Human Services Oversight Committee on Nov. 21.

Executive Director Lily Wellington and State Chair Laurie Duff said New Hampshire is now one of 11 states where the population age 65 and older exceeds the child population. The commission framed its three priorities for the state — independence, wellness and care — and described work streams including an advisory council on systems of care for healthy aging that will convene its first meeting in December.

The commission said it plans a multi-pronged approach to produce a state plan on Alzheimer’s and dementia, including a needs-assessment survey for people living with dementia, caregivers and service providers. Jenny Horgan of the Alzheimer’s Association, presenting on a subcommittee update, said roughly 26,500 individuals in the state live with Alzheimer's or related dementias and that more than 40,000 caregivers support them; the subcommittee plans to use survey and administrative data to draft recommendations for a state plan.

The commission highlighted transportation and housing as top concerns for older adults, and pushed ideas including community nursing, mobile integrated healthcare, caregiver respite and individual healthy-aging plans. It said it would publish a full transportation needs assessment in April 2026 and make tools and recommendations available to communities seeking to replicate successful local programs.

Commissioners and panelists warned workforce shortages — particularly in direct care, home care and geriatrics — will require cross-agency solutions and that housing and pay are material factors in recruitment and retention.