Ohio has officially been named the 13th AARP Age-Friendly State, a significant nod from the American Association of Retired Persons in partnership with the World Health Organization. At the heart of this achievement is Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, who opened up the Governor’s Policy Summit on Healthy Aging, an event dedicated to strategizing the state's approach to supporting an aging population. According to the Ohio Governor Mike DeWine's official press release, DeWine emphasized the importance of older adults, "They enrich our lives with their unique experiences, their wisdom, and their perspectives."
The summit, run by the Ohio Department of Aging, assembled thought leaders and policy makers to build Ohio's healthy aging blueprint. Ohio has been at the forefront, already holding 36 AARP-certified Age-Friendly Communities. Now the entire state can claim this designation. "This is another milestone in the administration’s vision of making Ohio the best place to age in the nation," said Ohio Governor of state Mike DeWine in a statement that mirrors his administration's commitment to its senior population. Ursel J. McElroy, AGE Director, highlighted the practical effects of the state's efforts, "The services and programs we have unveiled over the last several years are taking our roadmap and putting it into action."
At the Hyatt Regency Columbus, the gathering featured notable speakers like Dr. Thomas Keane, assistant secretary for technology policy at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Gary Bacher, chief strategy officer at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Agenda items included preparing for complex care and enabling transformation through technology, signifying Ohio's move to intertwine elderly support with modern advances.
Ohio's new status reflects a broader trend where the considerations for the aging are increasingly central to state policymaking. With the Age-Friendly designation, Ohio commits to a future where its eldest citizens are not just commemorated for past contributions but are actively included in shaping a society that's attuned to their ongoing needs and potentials. "We are not only celebrating the contributions of older Ohioans, but we are investing in their future, as well as the future of the state," Ohio Governor Mike DeWine told summit attendees, assuring that Ohio's wisdom does indeed come with age.
