Seacoast Senior Resources: 15 Local Programs, Organizations, and Services Families Should Know
Caring for an aging parent or loved one is rarely just about one big decision. It’s usually a series of small, urgent questions that pop up over time: Who can help with meals? Is there transportation to appointments? What if Mom falls? How do we get a break as caregivers? Where do we start if we’re worried about memory loss?
If your family lives in Maine and New Hampshire’s Seacoast or your loved one does you’re in a good position. The region has a strong network of seacoast senior resources, nonprofit organizations, community programs, and public services built specifically to support older adults and their families. The challenge is knowing what’s available and how to connect with the right resource quickly.
Below are 15 local programs, organizations, and services Seacoast families should know plus practical tips on when to use each one. (And if you ever feel overwhelmed, remember: you don’t have to figure everything out alone. Extended Family can also help you connect the dots and coordinate care at home.
1) ServiceLink New Hampshire (Aging & Disability Resource Centers)
Best for: A “starting point” when you don’t know where to begin
ServiceLink is one of the most helpful first calls you can make. It’s New Hampshire’s network of Aging and Disability Resource Centers, offering free, unbiased information and referrals. They can help you find benefits, understand care options, apply for assistance programs, and locate local supports.
When to call:
- You’re trying to understand care choices (in-home vs. assisted living vs. nursing)
- You need help navigating benefits, paperwork, or next steps
- You want a curated list of resources in your town
Tip: If you’re a caregiver, ask specifically about caregiver support programs and respite resources.
2) Seacoast Area Agency on Aging (SAAA)
Best for: Coordinated aging services across the Seacoast
The Seacoast Area Agency on Aging is a key hub for older adult services and caregiver support. Area agencies often help with care planning, community-based services, and connections to programs that support aging at home.
When to call:
- You need guidance on long-term care planning
- You’re trying to keep a loved one safely at home
- You need help finding caregiver supports, education, or respite options
Tip: Ask about eligibility-based services and how to access them early—don’t wait for a crisis.
3) Town and City Senior Services Departments
Best for: Hyper-local support (events, outreach, programs)
Many Seacoast towns have a senior services department, senior center, or recreation/community services staff who coordinate programs for older adults everything from fitness classes to health screenings and social events.
When to check in:
- Your loved one is isolated or needs social connection
- You’re looking for local transportation options or wellness programs
- You want activities that support mental and physical health
Tip: Even if your loved one “isn’t a senior center person,” many centers offer low-pressure activities like educational talks, card groups, and lunch programs.
4) Local Senior Centers (Portsmouth, Dover, Rochester, Exeter, Hampton, etc.)
Best for: Social engagement and wellness
Senior centers can be a lifeline—especially for older adults who have stopped driving, are recently widowed, or are becoming less active. Many offer meals, exercise classes, hobby groups, educational programs, and special events.
Why it matters: Social isolation is linked to higher health risks, including depression, cognitive decline, and increased hospitalizations. A predictable weekly activity can make a big difference.
Tip: If your loved one is hesitant, offer to go with them the first time to reduce anxiety.
5) Meals on Wheels and Community Meal Programs
Best for: Nutrition support, safety checks, and routine
If cooking has become difficult or your loved one is skipping meals—meal delivery or community meal sites can be a practical solution. Many programs do more than deliver food; they also provide a friendly check-in and help reduce isolation.
When to consider it:
- Weight loss, low energy, or poor nutrition
- Difficulty standing, cooking, or shopping
- Early memory changes leading to missed meals
Tip: Even if a loved one can cook “sometimes,” having a few delivered meals each week can reduce risk and stress.
6) Volunteer Driver Programs and Transit Services
Best for: Medical appointments and essential errands
Transportation is one of the biggest barriers to aging independently, especially in areas without robust public transit. Many communities offer senior transportation, volunteer driver programs, or reduced-fare options.
When to explore it:
- Your loved one has stopped driving (or should)
- You’re missing work for appointments and errands
- You want a safer, consistent plan for transportation
Tip: Build a weekly “transportation routine” (grocery day, appointment day) so your loved one can plan and feel more in control.
7) New Hampshire Medicaid Long-Term Care and Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS)
Best for: Financial assistance for eligible seniors who need ongoing support
If your loved one needs consistent help with daily activities (bathing, dressing, mobility, meals), Medicaid long-term care programs may help cover services—either at home or in certain care settings—depending on eligibility.
When to look into it:
- Care needs are increasing and costs are becoming a concern
- A loved one may qualify based on income/assets (or after planning)
- You’re trying to prevent nursing home placement
Tip: Medicaid planning can be complex. Ask ServiceLink or a qualified elder law professional about options and timelines.
8) Medicare Counseling and Benefits Support (SHIP Programs)
Best for: Sorting out Medicare plans, coverage, and costs
Medicare can be confusing especially when you add prescriptions, Medigap, Medicare Advantage, and enrollment periods. State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) provide free, unbiased counseling to help seniors make informed decisions.
When it’s helpful:
- Comparing plans during open enrollment
- Understanding prescription coverage changes
- Sorting out billing issues or coverage questions
Tip: Keep a folder with insurance cards, prescriptions, provider info, and a list of current medications—this makes counseling sessions much faster.
9) Caregiver Support Groups and Education Programs
Best for: Caregiver burnout prevention and emotional support
Caregiving is rewarding, but it can also be exhausting and isolating. Local caregiver groups and training programs provide practical tips, peer support, and reassurance that you’re not alone.
When to join:
- You feel overwhelmed or emotionally drained
- Family members disagree about care responsibilities
- You need tools for communication, boundaries, or dementia caregiving
Tip: Even one meeting a month can help caregivers feel steadier and more confident.
10) Memory Care Resources and Dementia Support Services
Best for: Early guidance when memory concerns begin
If you’re noticing memory changes missed bills, repeated questions, getting lost, hygiene decline early support is critical. Dementia-focused programs can provide education, caregiver coaching, and referrals for evaluation and services.
When to act:
- You suspect mild cognitive impairment or dementia
- Safety issues are emerging (wandering, stove use, medication mistakes)
- You need help building a home routine and care plan
Tip: Don’t wait for a formal diagnosis to seek caregiver education and safety planning.
11) Extended Family Home Health Care (Skilled Nursing and Therapy at Home)
Best for: Short-term medical support after illness, injury, or hospitalization
Home health care is different from non-medical home care. It typically includes skilled nursing, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech therapy ordered by a physician—often after a hospital stay.
When to ask about it:
- After surgery, stroke, fall, or hospitalization
- When wound care or medical monitoring is needed
- When rehab is required but the person can return home
Tip: Contact Us about Extended Family home transition health services before leaving the hospital. Early coordination prevents gaps in care.
12) Non-Medical In-Home Care (Companion and Personal Care)
Best for: Day-to-day help so seniors can live safely at home
This is where many families find the most immediate relief. Non-medical home care includes companionship, meal prep, light housekeeping, errands, medication reminders, transportation, and hands-on help with personal care (like bathing and dressing).
When it’s a good fit:
- Your loved one is mostly independent but needs support
- You’re worried about falls, missed meals, or isolation
- You need help bridging the time until family can visit or adjust schedules
How Extended Family helps: We provide compassionate in-home support tailored to your loved one’s routine—whether that’s a few hours a week or more consistent care.
13) Adult Day Programs and Social Day Services
Best for: Structured daytime care and caregiver respite
Adult day services can be a game-changer for families balancing work and caregiving. Programs often provide supervision, activities, socialization, meals, and sometimes health services.
When to consider it:
- Your loved one is safe at home but needs daytime structure
- You need a dependable break during the week
- Early dementia or loneliness is a concern
Tip: Start with one day per week to ease the transition.
14) Prescription Assistance and Medication Support
Best for: Reducing medication costs and improving safety
Prescription costs add up quickly, and medication errors are a major safety risk for older adults. Local programs may help with cost assistance, medication reviews, and safe management tools.
When it’s needed:
- Skipped doses due to cost
- Confusion with multiple medications
- Frequent refills, missed refills, or duplicate prescriptions
Tip: Ask a pharmacist about a “medication review” and consider pill organizers or blister packs for safer routines.
15) Elder Law Attorneys and Financial Planning Resources
Best for: Legal protection, planning, and peace of mind
If you’re helping a loved one long-term, legal planning matters. Elder law attorneys can help with powers of attorney, health care directives, guardianship questions, Medicaid planning, and estate planning.
When to schedule a consult:
- A loved one has early cognitive decline
- Family members need clarity on decision-making authority
- You’re planning for long-term care costs
Tip: Don’t wait until a crisis. The best time to get key documents in place is before a major health event.
How to Use This List Without Feeling Overwhelmed
If you’re looking at these resources thinking, “This is helpful…but where do I start?” try this simple approach:
- Identify your top 1–2 stress points (meals, safety, transportation, memory, caregiver burnout).
- Pick one “navigator” resource first (ServiceLink or Seacoast Area Agency on Aging).
- Stabilize the basics at home (in-home support, meals, transportation, medication routine).
- Then build the longer-term plan (benefits, legal planning, future housing options).
You don’t need to solve everything in one week. You just need a starting point—and a plan you can build
When It’s Time to Bring in In-Home Support
A common worry families have is, “Is it too soon for home care?” In reality, early support often prevents emergencies and keeps seniors independent longer.
You may want to consider in-home care if you’re noticing:
- Increased falls or fear of falling
- Missed meals, weight loss, or poor hygiene
- Medication mistakes or confusion
- Isolation, sadness, or lack of routine
- Caregiver burnout, stress, or conflict among family members
Extended Family can help your loved one stay safe, supported, and connected at home—while giving your family breathing room.
The Seacoast has a strong community of senior resources, but families often don’t find them until they’re already in crisis. By learning what’s available now and knowing who to call you can create a support system that keeps your loved one safe and helps your family feel more confident.
If you’d like help sorting through these options and building a care plan that fits your loved one’s needs, Extended Family is here to help.
Need support at home? Reach out to Extended Family to learn how our compassionate caregivers can assist with companionship, daily routines, personal care, and respite for families across the Seacoast.