Ohio Scholars in Aging Program Application Period Now Open

State Rep. Daniel Troy, D-Willowick, recently announced that the 2024-2025 Ohio Scholars in Aging program application period is now open.

The program partners with the Ohio Department of Aging and the Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education.

According to the program, Ohio undergraduate and graduate students of relevant academic backgrounds are encouraged to apply, and serve as “an opportunity to learn about aging-related policy creation, growing a professional network, and gaining career knowledge and skills in the field of aging.”

Additionally, students will complete an internship or a community project, attend Ohio Department of Aging and Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education events, and conduct a presentation for state leaders.

Participants who complete all program requirements will each earn a $2,000 stipend.

“I am pleased to announce this workforce development program that engages youth with Ohio’s aging issues,” Troy stated in a news release. “As our senior population continues to grow, retirees will be dependent on a decreasing number of working-age people to assist them.

“This program helps the state address the needs of our ever-growing population of senior citizens,” he added. “I encourage college students, especially from my District (23), to apply.”

Troy noted there is no direct cost to students to participate and that 10 students will be selected.

The deadline to apply is Nov. 8.

A survey of last year’s participants showed that “90 percent said the program influenced their career decision to work with older adults.”

All participants reported that they were “very satisfied” with their experience in the program and “would recommend it to others.”

Each participant must invest at least 45 hours on their internship or project, the release stated.

In addition, participants must attend two full days of in-person learning sessions, two partial days of virtual learning sessions, attend an all-day experience at their local Area Agency on Aging, and participate in a poster presentation session at the Ohio Association of Gerontology and Education Conference in March at Bowling Green State University.

“I believe every senior citizen deserves the right to retire with dignity,” Troy stated. “The mark of enlightened societies throughout the history of our world are those that honor their elders with the thanks and respect that they deserve.”

According to a University of Miami study, one in five Ohioans will be over the age of 65 by 2030.

Moreover, “almost every Ohio county is expected to see an increase in the share of the population of that age group, as the baby-boomer generation, currently, makes up the largest generation of older adults in United States history.”

Troy sits on the Ohio Elder Abuse Commission and has introduced and passed legislation increasing penalties for failure to report elder abuse.

For more information about the Ohio Scholars in Aging program, or to apply, visit www.aging.ohio.gov/scholarsinaging.