Commitment to Healthy Aging

This work is facilitated by the Kansas Health Institute in partnership and collaboration with our state partners on the Age-Friendly Kansas initiative.

Age-Friendly Kansas is part of the Age-Friendly Public Health Systems (AFPHS) movement,  in partnership with Trust for America’s Health and The John A. Hartford Foundation, along with the National Network of Public Health Institutes (NNPHI). The AFPHS movement aims to plug in the public health sector to strategically meet the needs of older adults in all settings, better maintaining their independence and quality of life and establishing healthy aging as a core public health service.  

Working Groups and Cross-Sector Collaboration

Six domain-specific working groups — Public Health Initiatives, Health Care Access and Services, Health and Wellness, Housing and Community Development, Transportation, and Workforce Development and Education Training — were formed based on the initial topical areas identified and were charged with synthesizing strategies. A seventh working group, Systems and Collaboration, reviewed all proposed strategies through a cross-systems lens to assess whether they promoted collaboration or reinforced existing silos.

Advisory committee members self-selected groups based on expertise and interest. Each group met through two facilitated sessions and ongoing online collaboration to develop, refine and present strategies. All-member advisory committee meetings reconvened the full network to share results, align priorities and identify cross-cutting themes across domains.

Age-Friendly Working Groups for 2025
Dec. 19, 2024

The Age-Friendly Kansas (AFK) advisory committee met to review updates and finalize the 2025 workgroup structure. Emma Uridge shared insights from Mississippi’s age-friendly public health initiative, highlighting collaboration and a life-course approach. Kansas was selected to join a multi-sector plan for aging, led by KDADS, to develop a statewide master plan for aging. Breakout sessions identified workgroup leads and schedules, with participants encouraged to engage in efforts to improve housing, transportation, and services for older adults.

Minutes and Supplemental Resources
Presentation

Age-Friendly Communities – Addressing Social Isolation and Choosing Rural
Nov. 21, 2024

The Age-Friendly Kansas (AFK) advisory committee convened for its fourth meeting, focusing on strategies to improve conditions for older adults statewide. Shauneequa Owusu and Tina Ansong of ChangeLab Solutions presented on advancing health equity through planning, addressing systemic inequities, and fostering inclusive community development. Lisse Regehr, President and CEO of Thrive Allen County, highlighted local initiatives in housing, transportation, and healthcare that support aging in place, including innovative solutions like community trails, pedicabs, and bilingual care coordination. The committee reviewed draft strategies to expand affordable, accessible housing and strengthen infrastructure, emphasizing collaboration, financial tools, and inclusive stakeholder engagement. Plans for December include refining these strategies in workgroup sessions to drive age-friendly progress across Kansas.

Minutes and Supplemental Resources
Presentation

Age-Friendly Communities – Addressing Social Isolation and Choosing Rural
Oct. 17, 2024

The Age-Friendly Kansas (AFK) advisory committee met to discuss social isolation and rural healthcare issues in Kansas. Key meeting materials included the agenda, slide decks, and resources related to social isolation and dementia care (see below). Alan Morgan, National Rural Health Association, highlighted efforts to improve rural healthcare, including the launch of a Community Health Worker program and a shift in the narrative to emphasize the strengths of rural areas. Benjamin Anderson, Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, discussed addressing loneliness among older adults through unique and innovative community-based programs and initiatives.

Minutes and Supplemental Resources
Presentation
Presentation: Alan Morgan, President and CEO, National Rural Health Association
Presentation: Benjamin Anderson, President and CEO, Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System

Age-Friendly Transportation
Sept. 19, 2024

The Age-Friendly Kansas (AFK) advisory committee focused their discussion on enhancing transportation and infrastructure for seniors across Kansas, with presentations from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). Key discussions covered federal and state funding for specialized transit, the need for accessible bike-sharing programs, and improvements to bus stops and public restrooms. Proposed strategies included developing comprehensive public transport, expanding healthcare transport in rural areas, and increasing age-friendly infrastructure. The committee aims to refine these strategies with input from working groups in 2025.

Minutes and Supplemental Resources
Presentation

Aug. 15, 2024

The Age-Friendly Kansas (AFK) advisory committee convened to discuss strategies for building an age-friendly ecosystem in Kansas. Attendees reviewed the committee’s vision, emphasizing collaboration across sectors to address the needs of older Kansans and prioritize action areas that would drive systems-level changes. Key points included fostering multi-sector partnerships, promoting public health, enhancing transportation and housing options, and improving access to healthcare services, especially in rural communities. Action items were assigned, including nominating content experts to share insights on age-friendly practices, identifying data sources for strategy prioritization, and submitting useful resources to guide the committee. The meeting set the stage for upcoming sessions focused on specific topics, with the next meeting to discuss transportation infrastructure and coordination.

Minutes and Supplemental Resources
Presentation