As Northwest Ohio’s population rapidly ages, Medical Mutual of Ohio and Bowling Green State University are working together on a new initiative designed to help senior citizens live longer, healthier lives and to create new wellness programs for older adults on and off campus. The health insurance company is contributing $1 million to assist with the development of The Optimal Aging Institute (OAI).
Developed through the University’s Center of Excellence for Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan, The OAI’s mission is tied to the seven dimensions of elder wellness: physical, emotional, intellectual, social, spiritual, cultural and occupational.
The OAI will provide learning opportunities and educational materials for service providers, health systems, entrepreneurs, corporations, caregivers and older adults. It will also be a resource for informational events such as diabetes self-management, navigating the healthcare system, and learning to use social media, as well as for health and wellness events such as how to cook budget friendly and nutritional meals, yoga and mindfulness meditation. BGSU’s arts and cultural events on campus also will be marketed through the Initiative so that more members of the community can enjoy those activities.
Medical Mutual’s contribution will support this initiative and build upon the company’s previous generous support of the BGSU Center of Excellence for Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan.
“Medical Mutual of Ohio has already proved to be a great partner and we are excited about working with them on this new initiative to foster the seven dimensions of wellness through focused educational, service and research activities,” said Dr. Marie Huff, dean of the College of Health and Human Services and co-director of the center. “Both of our institutions recognize the benefit of healthy and active lifestyles across the lifespan and in supporting our communities. With their generous support we will be able to advance a culture of wellness on our campus and in our region.”
The American Council on Education specifically states that higher education institutions are exceptionally positioned to create new frameworks for this population, and they are drawing attention to the benefits of lifelong learning for older adults’ health and cognition.
“BGSU is well situated to meet many of the needs of the growing numbers of older adults,” explained Kathy Golovan, Medical Mutual’s Chief Health Officer. “Approximately one-eighth of the population of Wood County is 65 or older and about one-fifth of the population of Northwest Ohio is 60 or older. This initiative will better serve that population.”
Institutions of higher learning also have an important role in advancing the conversation about aging, such as when the center partnered with the Wood County Committee on Aging in July to view the 2015 White House Conference on Aging and discuss how to address those issues locally.
In a year that marks the 50th anniversary of Medicare, Medicaid and the Older Americans Act, as well as the 80th anniversary of Social Security, the Initiative for Optimal Aging will be an important community asset that can mesh with providers, healthcare systems and caregivers to support and engage older adults in the community.
