Get ready for retirement, because it's coming: while not everyone in Central Ohio is ready to clock out for the last time, the region will soon have more residents reaching the age of 65 than starting kindergarten. It's a situation with enormous implications for employers, school districts, healthcare providers, and taxpayers.

The 65+ age group of Franklin County residents is the fastest growing segment of the county's population, increasing over 50% between 2010 and 2022. During that time, the number of kindergartners – the 0-4 age group – grew by just 2.4%. According to a Columbus Dispatch article published earlier this year, the median age nationally is now 39 years old, rising steadily from 37.2 in 2010 and 35.2 in 2000. Ohio's average age is even higher at 39.6 years.

What policy and infrastructure changes are needed now to meet the housing, transit, homecare and healthcare needs of what's rapidly becoming most of us? It's a situation with HUGE implications for employers, school districts, healthcare providers, and taxpayers.

Featuring:

Dr. Holly Dabelko-Schoeny, Director of Research for The Age-Friendly Innovation Center, The Ohio State University College of Social Work

Katie White, Director, The Central Ohio Area Agency on Aging

Kalitha Williams, Outreach and Advocacy Manager, AARP Ohio

Chanda Wingo, Director, Franklin County Office on Aging

The moderator is Tasha Booker, Caregiver and Senior Vice President for External Engagement, City Year.

This forum was sponsored by AARP Ohio, The Franklin County Board of Commissioners, and The Isabelle Ridgeway Foundation. The forum partner was King Business Interiors.

The livestream presenting sponsor was The Center for Human Kindness at the Columbus Foundation. The livestream partner was The Columbus Dispatch. It was supported by The Ellis.

This forum was recorded at The Ellis in Columbus Ohio's historic Italian Village on August 7, 2024.