Fullen delivers keynote at Kansas Governor's Conference on Aging

Dr. Fullen was invite to provide the keynote at the Kansas Governor’s Conference on Aging on October 17, 2025.

Here is a summary of the remarks provided by the event’s organizer:

I also want to highlight/thank Dr. Matthew Fullen, who closed the conference with a powerful presentation on expanding older adult access to mental health services, and the effects of ageism across the lifespan. He reminded us that our perceptions of aging begin forming early in life, and if we don’t challenge those narratives with positive attitudes and expectations, they can carry into adulthood, lower life expectancy and shape how we see both others and ourselves as we age.

You’ve likely heard (or maybe even believe) some common ageist assumptions:
💬- Aging is entirely about decline; older people can’t change.
💬- It’s “too late” for older adults to learn new skills or start something new.
💬- Memory loss and frailty are inevitable parts of getting older.
💬- Expect Loneliness and dependency later in life.
💬- Health interventions aren’t as valuable for older adults because they’re “near the end.”

Confronting these assumptions is vital to the work of #AgeFriendlyKS. We must ensure that ageism doesn’t shape how programs are designed, how policies are written, or how services are delivered. Every Kansan, at every age, deserves to be seen as capable of learning, contributing and thriving.