In 2016, City of Columbus joined the World Health Organization and AARP International Network of Age-Friendly Communities and thus our commitment toward creating inclusive processes, programs and policies. This work was done through robust community engagement, with older adults as our leaders in identifying challenges and ideas for solutions.

This work is changing the landscape for older adults throughout Columbus — and since the project’s expansion in 2018 — all of Franklin County. The community impacts of this work reverberate beyond older adults, increasing quality of life for individuals of all age groups and abilities within and outside central Ohio, as our results are shared with partners across the United States and around the globe.

Age-Friendly Columbus and Franklin County is managed by Age-Friendly Innovation Center (AFIC), a program of The Ohio State University College of Social Work. Our participatory, community-based research approach that makes older adults our partners in this work, as well as our dedication to inclusive engagement. We are most proud of the grassroots effort that drives this initiative forward. AFIC has engaged with more than 3,570 older adults through focus groups, interviews, and walk audits; 125 volunteers who shared their experiences on committees; and over 160 students who ensure these efforts will be sustained long into the future through their research and engagement.

Age-Friendly Columbus and Franklin County has completed the first cycle in 2020, and currently in the Strategy and Action Plan phase for the second cycle based on the 2022 reassessment.