(DURHAM, September 29, 2005) — “When you’re frail, it’s not always about medical care and the big issues. Often it’s the small things: who’s going to rake your leaves? How will you find a ride to the doctor? Who will take the trash out?” Arlene Kershaw, Director of Senior Services for New Hampshire Easter Seals and Seniors Count, and co-chair of the New Hampshire State Conference on Aging, told participants at a Seeing Seniors: Shaping the Future of Aging in New Hampshire forum held recently in Durham. The forum is part of a ground-breaking, two-year project developed by New Hampshire Public Television and Seniors Count/Easter Seals NH, designed to build awareness for the needs of the growing senior population in New Hampshire.“It’s estimated that 12 percent of New Hampshire's population is 65 and older, and in 20 years this figure will double—to nearly a quarter of our population,” commented Lynn Zuccarelli Austin, NHPTV’s Community Outreach Coordinator. “What are the issues facing seniors? What kind of communities do we want to see as we age? How can we identify ways to ensure the health and well-being of our citizens as they grow? This project is designed to bring seniors and caregivers together with local leaders to discuss some of these issues.”The Durham forum was the third of five to be held in locations across the state. Forums will also be held November 3rd at the Senior Center in Berlin and November 14th at the Senior Activity Center in Nashua. “We’re convinced that the forums, along with a six-part series airing this year on NHPTV’s NH Outlook program, will open a discussion on how communities will need to change as our population ages,” Zuccarelli Austin said. Previously aired NH Outlook “Seeing Seniors” episodes can be viewed online at www.nhptv.org/outreach/seeingseniors.At the forum, participants shared concerns about issues of transportation, housing, isolation, and health care, then broke into small groups to discuss local community initiatives and ways to improve the quality of life in the aging community now and in the future.“The issues surrounding seniors are mounting,” Kershaw warned. “We need to do something about it now.”
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