'Aging' crisis looms for Utah

The state's triple-A bond rating and rainy day savings account helped Utah weather the nation's financial downturn much better than did most states.

A lawmaker hopes her colleagues will take a similar approach and prepare now for another fiscal crisis that looms, involving Utah's seniors.

"Planning will save us money in the long haul," said Rep. Pat Jones, D-Salt Lake. "We are going to explode in terms of our senior population. . . . It will sneak up on us if we do not deal with it."

With HB165 to be introduced in the 2005 Session this month, Jones is proposing to establish a 21-member two-year Commission on Aging.

The commission, which includes public and private sector members, will study, evaluate and report on the projected impact the state's aging population boom will have on:

• Health services.

• Social services.

• The economy.

• The community in general.

Beyond examining the impacts, however, the commission would be tasked with recommending what action government and other entities can take to respond to the senior population explosion.

"We need to put it on the radar screen because people are largely unaware that we are going to be hit with this boom," Jones said.

The commission would include two legislators, executive directors from four state agencies and 15 representatives from the Utah Association of Area Agencies on Aging.

In addition, members would represent the long-term care industry, public transportation, the legal profession, financial institutions and organizations that advocate for the aging.

Rob Ence, head of Utah's branch of the American Association of Retired Persons, said Jones' bill is critical.

"I think everybody is aware of the shifting demographics, that a large percentage of people are moving into the 50-plus and 60-plus age group, but I do not think many people, including legislators, have really stopped and looked at the implications and the cost to our community."

Nationally, those 85 and older are the fastest-growing age group, while Utah is double that rate. Census figures from 2000 show that Utah is the sixth fastest-growing state in the country for its 65-and-older population.