A Multisector Plan on Aging is a new approach that engages public, private, and other organizations to work together to improve the lives of aging Oklahomans. Aging Our Way: Oklahoma’s Multisector Plan on Aging (Aging Our Way Oklahoma) is a plan that looks ten years into the future. This plan will coordinate public, private, and grass roots efforts in the different communities across our state to achieve our goals that will benefit the population as it ages. Further, these goals will center on our ability to provide every aging individual with the opportunity to live their life on their terms and with the support and resources they need to lead healthy lives.
Aging Our Way: Oklahoma’s Multisector Plan on Aging
The population of older Oklahomans is projected to increase 21.3% by 2034. For the first time ever, adults 60 and over are expected to outnumber children in Oklahoma.
The Plan
Oklahoma Human Services has led a collaborative effort to develop a plan called Aging Our Way: Oklahoma’s Multisector Plan on Aging to prepare the state for this impending — and significant — demographic shift expected within the next 10 years.
The plan engages public, private and other organizations to address the anticipated population shift in older Oklahomans – specifically those 60 and older. Our goal is to give every older adult the confidence to live life on their terms and to provide them with the resources needed to lead a healthy lifestyle.
We also seek to:
- Build relationships across public and private sectors and facilitate relationships across a diverse group of stakeholders to improve services to aging Oklahomans
- Raise awareness of aging issues and establish statewide priorities to cater to the needs and demands of the growing population
- Create strategic synergies and positively impact areas which go beyond traditional healthcare like economic development, workforce, among others.
Since aging is universal, this Aging Our Way Oklahoma plan will benefit everyone.
Aging Our Way: Ambassador Program
Oklahoma Human Services is looking for people to serve as Ambassadors for Aging Our Way Oklahoma in their communities. We’re recruiting people from cities and rural areas, who represent our state’s diversity. If you care about the health and well-being of older Oklahomans, you may be qualified to be an Ambassador.
We are looking for:
- Aging services professionals
- Community leaders and volunteers
- People over age 60
- Family caregivers
- Oklahomans interested in aging well
- Representatives of the diversity of our state’s people, geography, backgrounds and life experiences
State on Aging in Oklahoma: 2023 Report
The report gives information on the current state of Oklahoma’s aging population and the challenges the Aging Our Way Oklahoma plan may need to address. It includes the results of the Listening Sessions and Statewide Survey conducted by Oklahoma Human Services in May and July 2023.
The Plan’s Steering and Advisory Committees used the report to help make decisions about the first initiatives for the Aging Our Way Oklahoma plan.
Add your name and email to the Multisector Plan on Aging distribution list to receive regular updates.
If you have questions, would like to get more involved, or would like to provide feedback about Oklahoma's Multisector Plan on Aging, please email cap.mpa@okdhs.org.
This will create a ripple effect across every sector of our lives. As Oklahomans age, they will leave the workforce which will change how employers hire. They will need aging services, like home delivered meals, in a volume that our systems cannot currently support. This striking increase in the number of older Americans will change our society. Aging Our Way Oklahoma is our effort to make sure that we change with it.
As the population of older Oklahomans increases, so would the need to provide effective and efficient resources focused on ensuring healthy living. Aging Our Way Oklahoma will focus on creating strategies which would help ensure that there is a mechanism in place which caters to the growing needs and wants of the population.
We are just beginning this effort. Check Oklahoma Human Services website frequently for the most up to date information. You can submit your contact information there as well to receive updates through the Aging Our Way Oklahoma email list.
Last Modified on
Aug 07, 2024
