Utah remains the youngest state in the nation, but that is changing fast. The share of Utahns over 65 is projected to nearly double by 2060, and communities across the state are already feeling that shift. The question facing local leaders is not whether to respond, it is whether they will be prepared when the moment arrives.
A new report from the Utah Foundation takes on that question directly. Preparing for Utah’s Aging Population: Policies for Communities examines what intentional planning looks like in practice. Drawing on a review of general plans from cities and counties across Utah, as well as research and conversations with community leaders, the report identifies specific strategies communities can adopt across five areas: community leader action, social connection, housing, transportation, and healthcare.
The report builds on Part I, which found that while most Utah general plans acknowledge an aging population, fewer than one-third include concrete strategies to support older residents. This new report shows what those strategies can look like.
Report Highlights
- The most effective general plans translate demographic trends into specific, actionable policies.
- Older adults are particularly vulnerable to social isolation, and communities can plan for social connection.
- Age-friendly and affordable housing options are in demand as the number of older residents grows.
- Planning for transportation throughout Utahns’ lifespans is important for communities.
- It can be helpful for planning commissions to include older adults and gerontologists in discussions on health care, as both groups offer important insights into the medical needs of aging adults.
- Communities in Utah need to move from acknowledging an aging population to actually planning for one.