State of State Legislatures 2022 | OAS Episode 149

Our American States

The U.S. population is aging. In a little more than a decade, people 65 and older will outnumber children. Those older adults face economic, social and other challenges including the need for an array of long-term services.

Policymakers in a number of states are considering comprehensive approaches to support older adults. A few states have created what are termed master plans for aging that outline how the state can take on challenges in housing, transportation, health care, and other sectors.

Th guests on this podcast are Holly Riley, the aging services coordination director for Texas Health and Human Services, and Jarett Hughes, a senior policy advisor on aging for the governor of Colorado.

My guests discuss how their states are planning for this aging population, how they’ve tried to get key groups to work together on the effort and some of the lessons learned over years of developing their state plans.

 

 

 

 

Resources

• Building a Master Plan for Aging: Key Elements from States Planning for an Aging Population, The SCAN Foundation
• Comprehensive Policy Approaches to Support the Aging Population, NCSL
• Getting Started with a Master Plan for Aging, The SCAN Foundation
• Graying Gracefully: As the U.S. Ages, States Step Up Support, NCSL
• OAS Episode 148 Transcription