As lawmakers continue to meet this summer to map out a plan for next year's budget crafting, it is no doubt they will struggle with persistent funding needs such as public education and Medicaid for the low-income.

But there is another financial demand creeping up on state money managers — finding enough dollars to take care of Utah's fastest-growing population — the elderly.

Nationally, the 85-year-old and older sect is the fastest-growing age group, while Utah is double that rate. Census figures from 2000 show Utah is the sixth-fastest growing state in the country for its 65 and older population, and it has the second-highest life expectancy — second only to Hawaii.

That means the crisis of aging baby boomers facing the country will only be worse in Utah in terms of finding resources to pay for adequate transportation, health care, housing and services to prevent abuse, exploitation and neglect of the state's most vulnerable.

"We are not prepared for this," said Rep. Pat Jones, D-Salt Lake. "All along, the country has not been prepared for the baby boomers."

Jones, a "boomer" herself, said the public school system was ill-equipped to meet the needs of baby boomers and government will be no better off as they age, unless steps are taken now.

The representative requested a review of the state's aging crisis that has been approved for a study item by the Health and Human Services Interim Committee. The intent is to determine what type of action can be taken by agencies and communities to get ahead of the problem.

Among the many services provided by the state and often delivered through county aging agencies are transportation for the homebound, Meals on Wheels, respite services for caretakers and assistance with home health care. A substantial portion of the state's Division on Aging Budget deals with investigative services to intervene in incidences of abuse, neglect or exploitation of the elderly. The state's Medicaid budget, as well, goes toward the reimbursement of daily bed costs for seniors who need long-term care but can't afford the cost for round-the-clock care.

Members of the Executive Appropriations Committee are scheduled to get a presentation this summer by the Division of Aging, which has come up with some early recommendations for study options.

"We talk about this being a state of children, but Utah's aging population is already on a steep climb," said Ron Stromberg, an assistant director of the state Division on Aging.

The 2000 Census shows that there are more than 500,000 baby boomers in Utah, comprising 23 percent of the population, while the birth-to-5-year-old group is less than 10 percent.