A decade of vision and action supporting wellbeing, choice, access and community integration for older adults.
In October 2013, newly elected Washington State Governor Jay Inslee convened an Aging Summit in Seattle, bringing together more than100 thought leaders and aging advocates to address opportunities and challenges for Washington state to address the needs of our growing older population.
Number of Caregivers 2020-2040
The Summit was a solution-oriented exchange of ideas and outside-the-box thinking focused on state government initiatives with special emphasis on:
- Livable Communities
- Financial Security
- Health Care-Healthy Aging
- Long-Term Services and Supports
Participants to these sessions prioritized a “top five list” of ideas and policy directions in each area that informed Governor Inslee’s priorities and the work of the Joint Legislative Executive Committee on Aging and Disability – including work which evolved into Washington state’s first in the nation long-term insurance program (WA Cares) and development of the Dementia Action Collaborative and Dementia plan.
More detailed information on the 2013 Aging Summit is available here:
- Hear a portion of an interview with Governor Inslee at the Aging Summit on Oct. 1st.
- See the full proceedings document from the Aging Summit.
- See an abridged version of the proceedings document from the Aging Summit.
In May 2024, state leaders and advocates regrouped with fresh perspectives to collaborate and identify possibilities for the next phase of aging and longevity for Washingtonians.
Retiring Governor Jay Inslee encouraged participants to continue the quest for new and creative approaches to ensure that all Washingtonians experience choice and dignity in their communities as they age and that we preserve a strong and stable safety net for our most vulnerable populations.
 |
 |
 |
The 2024 Summit focused on educating participants about the shifts in the state’s population since the previous summit and centered opportunities to re-frame our approach to aging with special emphasis on:
- Fostering a Longevity-focused economy.
- Social determinants of health that impact longevity across the life course.
- Disrupting Ageism and re-framing how we communicate about older adults.
- Innovating Care in the Long-Term Service & Support Sector.
- Building an Age-Friendly Washington.
- Committing to Collaborative Change Across all Sectors (Transportation, Finance, Housing, Long-Term Care).
- Multi-Sector Strategies.
Early in the day, participants were asked to reflect on the question, “What do you envision will matter the most to you as you age?” Participants returned to these collective values throughout the day as they leaned-in to think about how these values could be reflected through our state’s programs and partnerships and become a reality for all Washingtonians.