Marilyn Olson, VillagesOKC’s excecutive director, joined other stakeholders in the June 25 unveiling of the Oklahoma Multisector Plan on Aging, which has been dubbed “Aging Our Way.” The event at the Oklahoma History Center included a partner from Guidehouse consulting, Oklahoma Human Services leadership and Aging Our Way Ambassadors.
The Aging Our Way plan is an approach that engages public, private, and other organizations to work together to improve the lives of older Oklahomans – specifically those 60 and older. The goal is to give every senior the confidence to live life on their terms and to provide them with the resources needed to lead a healthy lifestyle.
In his remarks, Jeromy Buchanan, Executive Director of Community Living, Aging and Protective Services at Oklahoma Department of Human Services, who directed the plan’s development, said the plan is intended to be a roadmap for Oklahoma to be a wonderful place for people to age well.
“While today is a celebration of the plan’s completion and the work done to-date, it is really just the beginning,” Buchanan said. “Now that we have the plan, it’s up to all of us to put it to action. I encourage you to get involved or stay involved. Take a close look at the full plan on our website, Oklahoma.gov/aging.”
The official unveiling included remarks by the Honorable Lance Robertson, Guidehouse partner and VillagesOKC board member. Robertson is the former US Department of Health & Human Services Assistant Secretary for Aging. Guidehouse oversaw development of the Aging Our Way plan. He was joined by Olson and Deborah Shropshire, Director, Oklahoma Department of Human Services. Speaker introductions were managed by Joncia Johnson, Aging Initiatives Programs Director- Aging Our Way OK.
“It’s been our pleasure at Guidehouse to support Oklahoma Human Services in the development of the Aging Our Way Oklahoma plan,” Robertson said. “Our team at Guidehouse is committed to supporting state agencies around the country in navigating the challenges of long-term services and improving quality and outcomes for older adults.”
Information gathering for the plan began a year ago and included Listening Sessions and a Statewide Survey conducted in May and July of 2023.
Olson represented the grassroots sector of 50+ adults embracing change from the ground up. She served on the Advisory Committee representing private sector organizations and nonprofits and two Advisory Committee subcommittees providing subject matter expertise for each of the plan’s 10 focus areas. She is an Aging Our Way Ambassador and will be promoting the plan in her role with VillagesOKC.
“The Aging Our Way plan perfectly aligns with the VillagesOKC mission, and I’ve been proud to be involved,” Olson said. “Everyday at VillagesOKC we are actively connecting with individuals, businesses and organizations who offer trusted solutions empowering each individual age with vitality and purpose. Aging well is both a personal responsibility, and also a community responsibility. We are fortunate here in great State of Oklahoma to have a wealth of community resources from which to draw.”
Shropshire said, “It’s hard to believe this day is here. For more than a year, Jeromy and the Community Living, Aging and Protective Services team has been focused on building this Aging Our Way plan. And, as he mentioned, today is not the end, but the beginning. At Oklahoma Human Services, our goal is to be here when Oklahomans need support. And. that includes looking ahead to identify potential areas of need in the future.
For more information about VillagesOKC visit https://villagesokc.org
