"Utah’s veteran population reflects both a proud legacy of service and an urgent call for targeted support. With 129,783 veterans residing in the state—ranking 49th nationally for veteran population density—nearly half are over the age of 65, and many live in rural areas where poverty, isolation, and limited access to care are common (Figure 1 and Table 1; U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs [hereafter, “VA”], 2023; Utah Commission on Aging, n.d.). While the overall veteran population in Utah is projected to continue to decline over the next decade (VA, n.d.), the need for aging- related services continues to rise as older veterans face medically complex conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and heart disease (VA Office of Rural Health, 2023b). The next generation of veterans will bring additional needs, including long-term care and support for combat-related injuries and chronic mental health concerns.
