| Description |
The population of America is aging. 72 million baby boomers will be 65 years and older by the year 2030. The population of Utah is also aging. In the next quarter century, Utah's aging community will increase 165%, resulting in 480,000 older adults by 2030 (Collins & Cox, 2010). Both the United States and the state of Utah are facing the question, "Are we prepared for the demands of a never-before-seen number of older adults in our communities?" In the opinion of the online magazine, Leaders, "America is not prepared for the impending crisis in aging" (Brown, 2010). While Utah is the ninth-fastest aging state in the United States (United States Census Bureau, 2010), it ranks 45th in the nation for having adequate physicians to provide medical services for its population (United Health Foundation, 2012). Rapid aging and inadequate numbers of health care professionals is a grave concern, which deserves attention. Of the rapidly growing elderly population, approximately 15% live in rural areas of Utah where there are limited healthcare resources (Utah Department of Human Services, 2004). In 1990, the Utah Department of Health established the Utah Health Care Workforce Financial Assistance Program to attract healthcare professionals to rural areas of Utah. This program saw many years of success until 2009, when the Utah Legislature cut its funding. Since then recruiting healthcare professionals to rural areas of Utah, especially ones with geriatric training has been very difficult. This paper addresses the health care needs of older adults, the need for geriatric healthcare professionals, why the Utah Health Care Workforce Financial Assistance Program should be refunded, and what other programs and strategies are being implemented throughout the state of Utah to ensure health amongst the elderly population. |
