Guest Writers Blog

Utah is aging. And the numbers tell the story. Today, about 15% of Utah’s population is age 65 or older, and by 2060, that number is expected to climb to 20%, that is, one in every five residents. At the same time, Utah’s total population is projected to surpass 4 million, meaning more people—and 800,000 older adults. This demographic transformation will shape nearly every aspect of life in Utah: housing, healthcare, transportation, the workforce, and even how communities connect. So, the question isn’t about understanding the trend. The question is whether Utah will be ready.

I had to be “commanded” by my friend, himself just a few months post-hip replacement surgery, to show up that Monday morning at the walk-in orthopedic clinic, just a 15-minute drive from my house. Him, “What’s on your calendar tomorrow?” Me, “Nothing.” Him. “Go! Just get it checked out.” I’d been moaning about my own growing hip pain for months, but I was worried about going under anesthetic at my age—82, and about whether the hip defect I’d been born with would make the walk-out surgical procedure he described much more difficult for me.

Preparedness doesn’t stop with earthquakes. Since the events of September 11 attacks, security experts have warned that hostile groups may be embedded within the United States and could possess small nuclear devices—often referred to as “suitcase bombs”—capable of causing localized, life-threatening destruction. If such an event were to occur near you, would you know how to respond to protect yourself and others?

On April 16, 2026, thousands of Utahns will take part in the Great Utah ShakeOut—a statewide earthquake preparedness drill designed to save lives. Utah sits along the Wasatch Fault, one of the most active seismic zones in the country. Experts agree: it’s not a matter of if a major earthquake will occur, but when. The ShakeOut offers a simple but powerful opportunity to prepare.

As the heat of summer fades away, so might our awareness of how important it is for us and our older family members to stay hydrated. Because I’m coping with hip pain until I can have a hip replacement, today I watched a video of two doctors talking about nonsurgical methods for how to deal with hip pain. Surprise! One was to stay hydrated because dehydration can be a cause of joint pain.