Panel on aging takes wing

A new commission geared to tackle issues facing the state's booming aging population got to work for the first time Monday.

Maureen Henry took her post as executive director of Utah's new Commission on Aging. The two-year commission was created by the Legislature to deal with the state's rapidly growing aging population.

Henry said the state's aging population is growing at twice the national rate. And in the next 25 years, the state's 65-plus population will increase by 165 percent.

"A number of problems the elderly face are not fully addressed by the system, including prescription-drug payment, long-term care and financial exploitation," Henry said. "We also need to communicate with and educate younger people on healthy aging and financial security. You must start early for both."

Former Utah first lady Norma Matheson will serve as honorary chairwoman of the commission. Twenty other commission members represent both the private and public sectors. The group's first official meeting will be in September.