Written & Reviewed by
Last updated: April 28, 2026
Bottom line: Utah Area Agencies on Aging help older adults and caregivers find local support. They can point you to meals, rides, caregiver help, Medicare counseling, legal help, home care options, senior centers, and safety resources. They are a good first call when you do not know where to start.
Contents
Urgent help first
If someone is in danger now, call 911. For abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult in Utah, call Adult Protective Services at 1-800-371-7897 during business hours, or use the report abuse page any time if the situation is not a 911 emergency.
If you need food, rent help, utility help, transportation, legal aid, mental health help, disaster help, or another local resource, call 211. You can also text 801-845-2211 or search the 211 Utah search by ZIP code before you call.
If someone may hurt themselves or is in a mental health crisis, call or text 988. The 988 Lifeline is open day and night. If the person is in immediate danger, call 911 instead.
If your need is not an emergency, call the local Area Agency on Aging for your county. If you are not sure which county office covers you, call the Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services at 801-538-3910 or use the Utah AAA locations page to check the current listing.
For a wider list of urgent food, housing, health, and safety steps, see our Utah emergency help guide while you are waiting for a callback.
Best first calls in Utah
Utah has more than 3.5 million residents, and about 12.4% of residents are age 65 or older, based on Utah QuickFacts data. The state is large, and rural areas may have fewer providers, so the right county office matters.
| Need | Best first step | Reality check |
|---|---|---|
| Not sure where to start | Call your county Area Agency on Aging. | They may send you to a county partner, senior center, or state program. |
| Food or meals | Ask your AAA about senior dining and home meals. | Meals may have waitlists, routes, age rules, or suggested donations. |
| Rides | Ask about local senior transportation. | Rides often need advance notice and may not cover every trip. |
| Medicare questions | Call Utah SHIP at 1-800-541-7735. | Open enrollment can be busy, so call early. |
| Care at home | Ask about in-home services and Medicaid waivers. | Programs may require care-need and financial screening. |
| Abuse or exploitation | Call APS or 911 if urgent. | Do not wait for a regular aging office if someone is unsafe. |
For broad benefit links, account portals, and renewal tools, keep our benefits portal guide open while you call. It can help you avoid wrong websites and repeated searches.
Utah Area Agencies on Aging directory by county
Use your county first. Do not choose an office only because it is the closest city. Utah lists aging services by county, and the Utah AAA locations page should be treated as the source of truth if any number changes.
| County or area | Office to start with | Phone | Ask about |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box Elder, Cache, Rich | Bear River Area Agency on Aging | 435-752-6962 | Meals, rides, caregiver help, local senior centers |
| Carbon, Emery, Grand | Southeastern Utah Area Agency on Aging | 435-613-0036 | Rural meals, rides, benefits help, home support |
| Daggett, Duchesne | Uintah Basin Area Agency on Aging | 435-722-4518 | Local services, in-home help, senior programs |
| Davis | Davis County Health Department | 801-525-5050 | Senior services, meals, rides, caregiver programs |
| Beaver, Garfield, Iron, Kane, Washington | Five County Association of Governments | 435-673-3548 | Meals, caregiver help, legal and Medicare referrals |
| Juab, Millard, Piute, Sanpete, Sevier, Wayne | R6 Regional Council | 435-893-0712 | Six-county aging services and rural supports |
| Salt Lake | Salt Lake County Aging and Adult Services | 385-468-3200 | Meals, senior centers, rides, caregiver help |
| San Juan | San Juan County Aging Services | 435-587-3225 | County aging services, meals, local support |
| Summit, Utah, Wasatch | Mountainland Aging and Family Services | 801-229-3800 | Meals, caregiver support, Medicare help, rides |
| Tooele | Tooele County Aging Services | 435-277-2420 | Senior centers, meals, rides, county help |
| Uintah | Uintah County Council on Aging | 435-789-2169 | Golden Age Center, meals, local senior help |
| Weber and Morgan | Weber Area Agency on Aging | 801-625-3770 | Senior services, ombudsman help, local referrals |
When you call, ask if the number is still the right intake line for your city or town. Some services may be run by a senior center, county department, nonprofit partner, or contracted provider instead of the main office.
What Utah Area Agencies on Aging can help with
The Utah Division of Aging and Adult Services is the state link between national aging programs and local Utah services. The Utah aging office works with local AAAs so older adults can get help close to home.
Utah’s aging offices mainly serve adults age 60 and older, caregivers, and people helping an older family member. They can also connect callers with other offices when the aging office is not the right place.
| Service area | What it may help with | Where to ask | Reality check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meals and nutrition | Congregate meals, Meals on Wheels, nutrition advice | Your AAA or senior center | Routes and meal sites vary by county. |
| Transportation | Rides to meals, medical visits, shopping, or errands | Your local aging office | Rides may need booking ahead. |
| Caregiver help | Respite, caregiver education, support groups, referrals | Your AAA caregiver program | Some help is limited by funding. |
| Medicare counseling | Plan choices, bills, fraud concerns, MSP referrals | Utah SHIP or your AAA | SHIP gives counseling, not plan sales. |
| Home support | Screening for in-home help and waiver options | AAA or Medicaid office | Need and income rules may apply. |
| Rights and safety | Ombudsman, APS, legal help, scam concerns | AAA, APS, or ombudsman | Call 911 for immediate danger. |
If you only need a place for meals, social activities, and local events, our senior centers guide may be the faster next step. If your need is broader, start with the AAA and ask which program fits.
Main help areas to ask about
Meals, nutrition, and senior centers
What it helps with: Utah aging services may connect older adults with senior dining sites, home-delivered meals, nutrition education, and wellness programs. These services help people eat regularly and stay connected.
Who may qualify: Many Older Americans Act services focus on adults age 60 or older. Local offices may also focus on people who are homebound, isolated, low income, disabled, or unable to cook safely.
Where to apply: Call your county AAA, ask your nearest senior center, or check the Utah senior services page for the state’s nutrition program overview.
Reality check: Meals are not always same-day help. Home meal routes can fill up. If you need food now, call 211 and ask about food pantries while you wait.
Rides and transportation
What it helps with: Local aging programs may help with rides to senior centers, grocery stores, medical appointments, meal sites, and basic errands. Some areas may use vans, volunteer drivers, bus passes, or partner programs.
Who may qualify: Rules vary by county. Age, disability, trip purpose, distance, and rider safety needs can all matter. Rural areas may have fewer trip times.
Where to apply: Call the AAA in your county and ask for senior transportation intake. If you also need medical rides through Medicaid, ask the Medicaid plan or case worker separately.
Reality check: A ride program is not the same as emergency transport. For chest pain, stroke signs, serious falls, or breathing problems, call 911.
Caregiver support
What it helps with: Caregiver programs may help family members with respite, caregiver training, support groups, counseling referrals, and help finding local services. This can matter when an older adult wants to stay at home.
Who may qualify: Caregiver help often supports unpaid family caregivers, including adult children, spouses, relatives, and some grandparents raising children. Ask the local office how it defines caregiver and which services are open.
Where to apply: Your AAA is the best first call. Utah’s DAAS services list says caregiver support is available through local AAAs, and it is not only for low-income households.
Reality check: Respite hours may be limited. If you are caring for a child as a grandparent, our grandfamilies guide may help you ask better questions.
Medicare counseling and health benefits
What it helps with: Utah SHIP gives free Medicare counseling. It can help with Medicare Advantage, Part D drug plans, Medicare Supplement questions, Medicare bills, and Medicare Savings Programs.
Who may qualify: Medicare counseling is for people with Medicare, people soon turning 65, adults with disabilities on Medicare, and caregivers helping someone with Medicare.
Where to apply: Call Utah SHIP at 1-800-541-7735, use the Utah SHIP page, or ask your AAA for a local SHIP counselor. You can also compare basics at the Medicare site before your call.
Reality check: SHIP counselors do not sell plans. Bring your Medicare card, drug list, pharmacy name, doctor list, and any plan letters before your appointment. For help with premiums, our Utah Medicare Savings guide can help you prepare.
Home care and Medicaid waiver questions
What it helps with: Some Utah programs may help older adults stay at home or move from a facility back to the community. The Aging Waiver may support in-home and community services for people who meet nursing facility level of care.
Who may qualify: The Aging Waiver is for people age 65 or older who meet Medicaid financial rules and nursing facility level of care. The New Choices Waiver is different and is mainly for people already living long term in certain care facilities.
Where to apply: Ask your AAA about screening and call Medicaid for waiver rules. For facility-to-community moves, review the New Choices Waiver page and ask whether the person is in an eligible setting.
Reality check: Waiver help is not automatic. There can be limited slots, assessment rules, provider shortages, and paperwork delays.
Legal help, ombudsman help, and safety
What it helps with: Aging offices may refer older adults to legal help, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Adult Protective Services, and scam support. These paths can matter when there are facility concerns, exploitation, unsafe care, or confusing papers.
Who may qualify: The ombudsman helps people who live in nursing homes and assisted living settings. Adult Protective Services responds to reports about vulnerable adults. Legal aid rules depend on the type of problem and program capacity.
Where to apply: Use the Utah ombudsman page for facility concerns. Use Utah Legal Services for civil legal aid screening. Call APS or 911 for safety concerns.
Reality check: Do not call a regular senior center if someone is in immediate danger. Call 911 first. If the danger is not immediate, write down dates, names, places, and what happened before you report.
Utility bills, housing, property tax, and home repair
What it helps with: AAAs may not run every bill program, but they can often point older adults to the right place. In Utah, energy help may come through HEAT, rent help may come through local housing partners, and property tax relief is handled through tax and county offices.
Who may qualify: Rules vary. Utility help looks at income, household size, and funding. Housing help may use income limits and waitlists. Property tax relief for homeowners and renters has age, income, residency, and filing rules.
Where to apply: Use Utah HEAT for energy help, the state property tax relief page for tax relief, and the homeowner credit page for the homeowner filing path. For housing next steps, see our Utah housing help guide.
Reality check: Funding can run out, and deadlines can be strict. For utility shutoff concerns, use our utility help guide right away. For unsafe home conditions, our home repair guide can help you compare repair options.
What to gather before you call
You do not need every document for a first phone call. Still, having basic details ready can save time and reduce repeat calls.
- Full name, date of birth, county, ZIP code, and best phone number.
- Medicare card, Medicaid card, Social Security number, and photo ID if a program asks.
- Monthly income from Social Security, SSI, pension, work, VA benefits, or retirement.
- Rent, mortgage, utility bills, shutoff notices, tax bills, or repair estimates.
- Doctor names, medicine list, care needs, fall history, and mobility limits.
- Caregiver name, phone number, relationship, and best time to call.
- Letters from Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP, housing offices, or insurance plans.
If you are helping a parent or spouse, ask whether the office needs permission to speak with you. Some offices can give general information without it, but they may need written permission before discussing a case.
Phone scripts you can use
Calling your Area Agency on Aging
“Hello, my name is ____. I live in ____ County. I am calling for myself or for ____ who is age ____. We need help with meals, rides, care at home, Medicare, or another local service. Can you tell me which programs fit and what papers we need?”
Calling about meals or rides
“Hello, I am asking about senior meals and transportation. The person lives at ____ and has trouble cooking or driving. Is there a meal site, home meal route, or ride program for this address? How soon can intake be done?”
Calling Utah SHIP
“Hello, I need free Medicare counseling. I have Medicare, and I need help checking my plan, drug costs, bills, or Medicare Savings Programs. What should I bring to an appointment?”
Calling about home care
“Hello, I am calling about help at home for an older adult who needs help with bathing, meals, dressing, falls, or safe movement. Can you explain the local intake step and whether a Medicaid waiver screening may be needed?”
Official Utah resources
Keep this short list handy. Use official pages first when rules, phone numbers, forms, or income limits may have changed.
- DAAS contact page for state aging office contact details.
- Utah AAA locations for the current county-by-county office list.
- Utah SHIP for free Medicare counseling.
- report abuse page for APS reporting options.
- Utah ombudsman for nursing home or assisted living concerns.
- Eldercare Locator for national aging-office search help.
- Utah senior help for a broader benefits guide on this site.
- disabled seniors guide for disability-related support paths.
Resumen en español
Las Agencias del Área sobre el Envejecimiento en Utah ayudan a personas mayores y cuidadores a encontrar servicios locales. Pueden ayudar con comidas, transporte, apoyo para cuidadores, preguntas sobre Medicare, ayuda legal, opciones de cuidado en casa, centros para personas mayores y reportes de seguridad. Si alguien está en peligro ahora, llame al 911. Para reportar abuso, negligencia o explotación de un adulto vulnerable, llame a Adult Protective Services al 1-800-371-7897 durante horas de oficina. Para comida, renta, servicios públicos u otros recursos locales, llame al 211 o mande un texto al 801-845-2211. Use su condado para encontrar la oficina correcta y confirme las reglas antes de solicitar ayuda.
FAQs
What does a Utah Area Agency on Aging do?
A Utah Area Agency on Aging helps older adults and caregivers find local services such as meals, rides, caregiver support, Medicare counseling, legal help referrals, and in-home support options.
Who should call a Utah Area Agency on Aging first?
Call your Area Agency on Aging if you are age 60 or older, care for an older adult, need help staying at home, need meal or ride information, or do not know which office handles your problem.
Does the Utah aging office give cash grants?
No. Aging offices usually connect people to services, benefits, local programs, and partner agencies. Some help may lower costs, but it is not usually cash paid to the person.
Where do I report elder abuse in Utah?
If someone is in danger now, call 911. To report abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a vulnerable adult, call Utah Adult Protective Services at 1-800-371-7897 during business hours or use the online report form any time.
Can a Utah AAA help with Medicare questions?
Yes. Utah AAAs and SHIP partners can help people compare Medicare choices, check Medicare Savings Programs, and understand bills or plan notices.
How do I find the right Utah AAA for my county?
Use your county, not the nearest large city. Start with the county table in this guide, then confirm the current office, phone number, and program rules on Utah’s official aging locations page.
Last updated: April 28, 2026
Next review: August 1, 2026
About this guide
We check this guide against official government, local agency, and trusted nonprofit sources. GrantsForSeniors.org is independent and is not a government agency.
Program rules, funding, and eligibility can change. Always confirm details with the official program before you apply.
Email GFS editors if you see something wrong or outdated.
Disclaimer
This guide is for general information only. It is not legal, financial, tax, medical, or benefits advice. Official agencies make all eligibility and program decisions.
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