Shaping the Future of Aging in Ohio:
Highlights from the Governor's Policy Summit

The Ohio Department of Aging’s Second Annual Governor’s Policy Summit on Healthy Aging, held on September 3, brought together aging advocates, state leaders, policymakers, researchers, academics, clinicians, and community partners to consider what Ohio needs to do to prepare for the future of aging.

With the theme “Future-Proof or Fall Behind: Are We Ready for Tomorrow’s Ohio?”, the Summit focused on the opportunities and challenges shaping Ohio’s aging population and the policies, systems, and partnerships needed to meet the needs of tomorrow’s Ohioans. Breakout sessions explored key areas including economic development, public policy, data, and innovation, providing opportunities for participants to share expertise, exchange ideas, and identify strategies for strengthening Ohio’s aging infrastructure.

OAGE President, Dr. Dan Van Dussen reflected on the value of these gatherings, noting, “I have been involved with two Governor's Policy Summits on Aging. They are interesting events and help bring together professionals working in the field of aging. These sessions allow experts in aging and aging policy meaningful impact and support of state level aging policy. Experts included OAGE board members, Area Agencies on Aging, researchers, academics, advocacy organizations, and clinicians working with and on behalf of older people in Ohio.”

Kent State Long-Term Care Administration Student and OAGE Secretary, Grace Yarger also expressed, “I appreciated the opportunity to attend the Summit on behalf of OAGE, and it was meaningful to join professionals from across the state working to support older Ohioans. The discussions focused on how Ohio can prepare for a growing older population, from making services easier to find and navigate, to using existing data to inform decisions, to supporting older adults across all income levels as their needs change. The Summit showed how much can be accomplished when people from across the aging network come together, and I look forward to seeing how these conversations continue to shape Ohio's approach to healthy aging."

The Summit demonstrates the importance of bringing diverse voices to the table and creating opportunities for collaboration across sectors. By connecting professionals who work with and on behalf of older Ohioans, the event helped foster dialogue and inform the continued development of policies and approaches that can support Ohio’s aging population well into the future.