News From New Hampshire

AARP in Your State

September 2009

Penny-wise services — Denouncing cuts to funding for volunteer efforts as pound-foolish, AARP aims to safeguard programs that rely on volunteers to help people who are homebound, for example, by driving them to doctors' appointments or delivering hot meals. These programs—which allow many residents to continue to live independently—cost the state $320,000 a year but draw $1.8 million in federal funds while providing 755,000 hours of service.

Although the programs are fully funded for 2010, lawmakers slashed the funding by half for 2011, which puts the federal funds in peril. Without this funding, AARP advocates say, the programs could either disappear or require funding from local communities, whose budgets are stretched thin.

To stay informed, go to www.aarp.org/nh.

July-August 2009

Managing meds — State health educators and other community leaders can order a free teaching kit from AARP New Hampshire called Wise Up on Meds, designed to help residents keep track of their medications and avoid dangerous drug interactions.

The kit comes with everything that senior centers, hospitals, schools of nursing, pharmacies and others need for a one-hour presentation, including a message on video from a geriatrics physician. Participants learn how to keep an up-to-date personal medication record, how to prepare for a doctor visit, which questions to ask health care providers, and how using generic drugs can save money.

Those interested in ordering the Wise Up on Meds kit should e-mail jbulen@aarp.org. AARP New Hampshire members looking for tips and tools for managing their meds can visit www.aarp.org/nh.

June 2009

First steps — As a prelude to reform, state lawmakers established a Long-Term Care Caucus this spring.

"Given the aging of the state's population and the limitations of the state's Medicaid budget, the current system is unsustainable," says Kelly Clark, AARP state director.

Nursing home care is often more expensive than services that help people remain at home as they age, and surveys show AARP members prefer the latter. AARP will advise the caucus as it reviews studies, gathers information and develops resources.

Caucus meetings are open to the public. For a schedule—or to help push for long-term care reform—go to www.aarp.org/nh.

May 2009

Rx safety — AARP New Hampshire is promoting Rx Snapshot, a new Web-based tool kit designed to help consumers better manage their own or someone else's medications, and avoid potentially dangerous drug interactions.

The project is part of Create the Good, AARP's national effort to encourage people to help others. "A small investment of your time could have a significant impact on your life or the lives of people you care about," says Kelly Clark, AARP state director.

The tool kit includes a Personal Medication Record that can be used to list all the prescription and over-the-counter drugs a person is taking. The website also offers tips on how to talk with doctors, pharmacists or other health care providers about the effectiveness of drugs and how to lower medication costs. To learn more, visit www.aarp.org/nh and www.aarp.org/rxsnapshot.

April 2009

Funding care — A recent survey shows that 84 percent of AARP New Hampshire members support shifting a greater share of long-term care funding to home- and community-based services. Such services can help people continue to live in their own homes as they age.

AARP is now backing state legislation to further that goal. The bill (HB 380) would establish a long-term care commission to oversee rebalancing New Hampshire's long-term care system. Currently, 88 percent of the state's long-term care funding goes to nursing homes.

For updates on the issue or to sign a petition asking legislators to support the bill, go to www.aarp.org/nh.