Living well as we age

By 2034, older adults will outnumber children in the U.S. for the first time. But this shift isn’t just demographic—it’s deeply personal. It’s about Janet, who uses a wheelchair and a state-funded shuttle to get to chemotherapy. Richard, who’s legally blind and has finally received a homecare waiver. Juanita, an 84-year-old jazz singer who still brings down the house.

These are the lives behind the numbers. And they’re why Guidehouse is helping states, policymakers, and their community partners rethink aging. 

A bold vision for aging communities

With clients in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Oklahoma, and South Dakota, we’re guiding leaders across the country to build thoughtful, data-driven plans grounded in collaboration and human-centered design. This is helping older adults live independently while staying connected to their communities.

Nowhere is this transformation more visible than in Oklahoma. The state's vast rural geography, limited broadband, and long distances to healthcare make aging a complex challenge. Within this predicament, state leaders saw an opportunity to lead, not simply improving services but reimagining what aging can look like.

Oklahoma Human Services partnered with Guidehouse to develop “Aging Our Way,” a 10-year multisector plan on aging. We deployed our proprietary change management framework to help the state align stakeholders, assess readiness, and devise a strategy informed by surveys and listening sessions throughout Oklahoma.

Listening deeply, designing for all

We gathered input from over 5,000 Oklahomans, including voices from all 77 counties and 25 of the 39 tribes in the state. Listening sessions brought together older adults, Veterans, aging advocates, service providers, and faith leaders.

Tribal engagement was especially vital. Elders can serve as cultural historians and guardians of traditional knowledge. Their perspectives shaped the plan in meaningful ways that accurately addressed their unique needs and priorities.

‘Friends don’t let friends age alone.’

To bring the plan to life, Oklahoma and Guidehouse launched the Aging Our Way Ambassador program. So far, 158 local leaders across 30 counties are helping older adults access services and share feedback. They have already reached nearly 3,000 people through 71 educational sessions.

Linda Mattingly-Smith and her husband Stephen Smith have been active volunteers since the beginning of the program. Among their many outreach efforts was helping two older adults get a wheelchair and Medicaid-funded transportation.

“These examples may not be mind-blowing or heroic, but they’ve improved quality of life for these two people, who are now our friends. Friends don’t let friends age alone.”

– Linda Mattingly-Smith, Aging Our Way Ambassador

Mobility equals dignity

Generally, older adults want to stay in their homes and communities, not institutions. It’s better for their health, more affordable, and allows them to stay surrounded by familiar people and places. But aging in place requires access.

That’s why mobility matters. For example, with Veterans Ride Connect, U.S. Air Force Veteran Roger Bartlett can reach his dialysis appointments from his home in Muskogee, Oklahoma, without relying on his family. It’s about freedom, dignity, and staying rooted in the places that hold purpose.

“True quality of life means being able to age in place, remain part of your community, and continue doing the things you love—whether that’s sipping coffee at the local café, attending church on Sundays, walking the loop at the park with friends, or playing bingo at the senior center. Transportation makes all of that possible.”

– Olivia Hook, Oklahoma Department of Transportation Mobility Management Director and Aging Our Way Steering Committee Member

Turning feedback into action

From 50 community-identified priorities, Guidehouse helped Oklahoma define 13 actionable goals across 10 focus areas ranging from housing and transportation to wellness, social connection, and caregiving. The plan has forged new partnerships, improved service delivery, and expanded outreach, all while measuring success along the way.

A model for the nation

Oklahoma’s Aging Our Way plan is already inspiring other states and areas where Guidehouse is supporting similar efforts. Each plan is tailored to local and national needs but united by a shared goal: helping older adults thrive.

Aging well isn’t just about services. It’s about honoring life journeys, nurturing meaningful connections, and celebrating the strength that carries us forward. At Guidehouse, we’re helping transform the aging experience one state, one community, and one person at a time.