Oregon takes major step toward age-friendly future

Isobel Charle
04 Jun 2026, 07:46 GMT+10

After years of advocacy, supporters of older adults in Oregon are celebrating the state’s work to create a Multi-Sector Plan for Aging.

The plan, known as an MPA, is a 10-year blueprint intended to restructure policies across health, housing, transportation and community engagement to make the state more age-friendly.

Stephanie Hooper, president and CEO of AGE+, said the plan will bring together a range of interested parties to identify key strategies so people of all ages can thrive.

“This kind of planning isn’t just about our current older adults, it’s about our future old," Hooper said. "It’s about how older adults can be in community, and how we support caregivers who are helping both ends of the spectrum.”

Oregon joins 14 other states that have already implemented MPAs. Hooper said Oregon’s plan will be developed over the next year, launched in fall 2027 and updated every couple of years.

Like the rest of the country, Oregon is aging quickly. About a quarter of the state’s workforce is now older than 55.

Hooper said programs that support older workers fuel local economies, especially in rural parts of the state.

“The work we do now will leverage the strengths and opportunities that older adults bring to our communities to help younger generations,” Hooper said.

Hooper invited Oregonians across the state to get involved to ensure as many voices as possible are represented in the plan. She said more information is available at sharedfutureoregon.org.

Source: Public News Service

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