Nurse Colleagues: please be aware that Oklahoma’s population of people over 65 continues to increase at an estimated 150 people each day! Oklahoma’s population 65+ has grown more than 16% since 2017 and it is projected that by 2030 one in five Oklahomans will be over 65! While most our state’s senior population resides at home, approximately 17,000 reside in long-term care facilities. The needs of our state’s seniors are increasing even as Oklahoma’s FY2026 budget keeps funding flat or only slightly increased for DHS, OHCA and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Shrinking aging services to support seniors residing at home results in fewer resources to age safely and remain at home. Nutrition support is one service which will be impacted by funding cuts or a flat budget. It is helpful to know that the federal Older Americans Act provided more than 11,000 older Oklahomans home-delivered meals each day and 15,000 receive meals in community settings, such as AAA Senior settings.
Oklahoma seniors residing in nursing homes are especially vulnerable. One advisory committee on which I represent ONA is the Long-term Care Ombudsman Advisory Committee. During the Legislative Session, a related committee, the Strategy Committee, meets each Monday to plan interventions which support or oppose proposed bills. Examples of bills which serve to protect vulnerable adults and which passed during the 2025 session include:
HB 1566—Creates Neil’s Law which establishes a right for incapacitated persons and vulnerable adults to bring civil action—the bill allows such persons to pursue claims against people who abuse, neglect, or exploit them.
SB 877—Requires the Oklahoma Real Estate Commission to establish standards for real estate brokers to complete continuing education to recognize signs of deed theft. While the Governor did not sign either of these two bills, they are now law.
HB 2262—Requires any long-term care referral agency/business to display a poster that explains how to file a complaint, should the facility fail to provide a copy of the facility’s Alzheimer’s Special Care Disclosure form. The disclosure form is required so that persons seeking care in “memory care” facilities understand the additional services which the facility provides and for which the facility charges. The Governor signed.
SB 804—Requires an assisted living center in which there are documented repeat deficiencies regarding medications to employ the consultant services of a licensed pharmacist or licensed registered nurse. The consultancy services would be in addition to or an alternative to any penalties. The Governor vetoed this bill, but the veto was overridden by the Legislators.
