Planning For Tomorrow: What Data Tell Us About How Ohio is Growing
To study Ohio’s demographic changes, the Scripps Gerontology Center at ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ is tracking the shifts in Ohio’s aging population.
Planning For Tomorrow: What Data Tell Us About How Ohio is Growing
Using data from the U.S. Census, the Ohio Department of Health, the Ohio Department of Development and a national survey about disability and aging, the Scripps information shows the number of older adults living in each county now and how the numbers are expected to grow by 2050. They also include information on life expectancy, disability, and the need for long-term services. These tools are useful for community leaders, service providers, and officials to plan for the future and better serve older adults across Ohio.
Population Projection Maps
Using Ohio Department of Development’s county population estimates and projections for 2020, 2030,2040, and 2050, Scripps produced maps showing the percentage of people in each county at age 60+, 65+, and the percentage of each county’s older population that is 85+. The maps are useful for understanding the current population composition in each county and how the composition is expected to change over time. The projections can help organizations and businesses that serve older adults to plan effectively for the future. They also help elected officials understand more about the people that they represent.
Life Expectancy Maps
Using mortality information derived from the Ohio Department of Health as well as county population information, Scripps researchers developed estimates of life expectancy at birth, age 65, and age 85 for each county in Ohio. We prepared county maps for Ohio showing how life expectancy varies from county to county. The numbers do not tell us directly why there are differences in life expectancy, but they can point to characteristics common to counties with higher or lower life expectancy.
Disability Tables
With the county estimates and projections of older adults by age group, Scripps researchers applied national rates* of level of need for long-term services and supports (LTSS) to each county’s older adult population. These calculations are useful for service providers, as well as legislators and public officials, to meet the needs of older people in each area. The calculations show the current level of need and estimated future needs of older adults across the state. Knowing what to expect in the future allows Ohio to make better plans now.
New County Reports
Scripps has produced reports for each county, showing 18 different characteristics in a convenient one-page document. To help readers put these numbers in context, the statewide numbers were added, along with county minimums and maximums. For example, using total population, the tables show which county has the smallest and which county has the largest population. Further, the tables show each county’s ranks among Ohio counties. These tables provide a detailed snapshot of each county’s population and its characteristics.
The Ohio Population Project is part of The Ohio Long-Term Care Research Project, which was established by the Ohio legislature in 1988. The Project is housed at the Scripps Gerontology Center, an Ohio Center of Excellence at ¾Ã¾ÃÈÈÊÓƵ.
*Ohio Department of Development (ODD), Office of Research, “County Population Projections: 2020-2050”; National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATSs). Produced and distributed by www.nhats.org with funding from the National Institute on Aging (grant number NIA U01AG32947).”