Aging
The Aging Face of
Utah
Over the next 30
years Utah will experience
a substantial and
momentous age shift
in its population.
The largest generation
in history – the
so-called Baby Boomers – will
join the elder generation.
This group has influenced
and affected public policy
their entire lives. Because
of the sheer number of Baby
Boomers, the aging of this
largest generation in history,
combined with increased
longevity, will lead to
a significantly older community
in the coming years.
Utah's Brain Drain
Policymakers often
fret about Utah’s “brain
drain,” talented
young people who gain
a solid education in
Utah’s schools,
colleges and universities
then go outside the
state in search of
better paying jobs.
However, there is
a quieter and potentially
more damaging brain
drain that is going
to hit the state
within the next few
years. This brain
drain has gotten
very little press
and only minimal
attention from those
that are going to
be most impacted:
government agencies.
The Utah Aging Initiative is the result of a collaborative project between CPPA and Utah state agencies led by the Utah Department of Human Services. The purpose of the Initiative is to raise awareness and encourage preparation among government agencies regarding the challenges and opportunities presented by Utah’s increasingly older population. The report incorporates material from CPPA staff research, community focus groups, and interviews with officials from state governmental agencies. It has been prepared for policymakers, for local elected officials, for everyone who participated in its making, and for the people of Utah.
Three documents were produced for the Utah Aging Initiative:
- Anticipating the Opportunities and Challenges of our Aging Population provides basic demographic facts and figures about the aging of Utah’s Baby Boom population;
- Identifying Opportunities and Challenges of our Aging Population highlights the issues, suggestions and recommendations as seen by Utahns.
- Addressing the Opportunities and Challenges of Our Aging Population provides a summary of the issues and discusses ideas and recommendations for raising awareness and encouraging preparation among government agencies for the challenges and opportunities presented by Utah’s aging Baby Boom generation.