Complete Story
09/18/2025
Ohio Becomes 13th AARP Age-Friendly State
Ohio has been recognized as the nation’s 13th Age-Friendly state by the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) and the World Health Organization.
Governor Mike DeWine accepted the award during the Governor’s Policy Summit on Healthy Aging in Columbus this week, joined by Ursel J. McElroy, director of the Ohio Department of Aging, and Jenny Carlson, AARP Ohio state director.
“Older adults are the heart of our communities,” Governor DeWine said. “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 already has 36 AARP-certified Age-Friendly Communities across the state. Director McElroy noted the designation reflects years of work to help Ohioans remain connected and supported as they age.
The summit, attended by aging advocates and cross-sector stakeholders, featured speakers from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, to discuss healthy aging, complex care, and innovations in service delivery.
LeadingAge Ohio is in the process of scheduling an all-member webinar on what the Age Friendly designation will mean for the Buckeye State. Learn more about age-friendly communities here.