Washington County is already home to a sizable population of older residents, with approximately one in four residents aged 65 or older. This demographic is expected to grow as Utah undergoes a major demographic shift, with the state's population of aging adults projected to nearly double by 2060, according to a Utah Foundation report.
Washington County Commissioner Gil Almquist stated that officials have taken steps to accommodate the aging population through programs involving transportation, health services, and fraud prevention. While many services are managed by individual municipalities, the county supports older residents through health services and assistance with everyday needs.
Almquist noted that Washington County has become a destination for seniors looking to retire. The county's infrastructure already serves this population through connected regional trails and alternative transportation options like the SunTran bus service.
County health services, specifically Five County Health, play a significant role in supporting the senior population through mental health care and assistance for those who may be left alone and require help with paperwork.
To protect older residents from being taken advantage of, Washington County offers Property Watch, a free notification service. County Recorder-Surveyor Gary Christensen stated that the program notifies subscribers via email within 24 to 48 hours when a document is recorded against their property, which is faster than the 30-day state mandate.
In addition to county programs, Almquist pointed to the presence of local care facilities and the importance of neighbors supporting one another with everyday tasks or emergency responses.
