The Ohio Department of Aging held the first session of its new Data Forum series this week, launching a quarterly space for aging-services partners to explore how data is being used across the state. The forum highlighted Ohio’s broader commitment to data-informed decision-making and emphasized that future sessions will feature both state tools and partner-led projects, with a focus on practical application across the Aging Network. Future meeting dates are to be determined.
The inaugural forum included preliminary findings from the State Plan on Aging summary assessment, developed with the Health Policy Institute of Ohio, pointing to key challenges around social isolation, affordability, caregiving, and access to health care. Participants also heard from the Council on Aging of Southwestern Ohio on using client satisfaction data to drive quality improvement and consumer choice, followed by a demonstration of the Long-Term Care Quality Navigator, a public-facing tool that brings together quality, satisfaction, and regulatory data to help Ohioans compare nursing homes and assisted living communities. Questions about the Data Forum series may be directed to Age_PAE@age.ohio.gov.