{"id":74156,"date":"2025-07-22T12:02:15","date_gmt":"2025-07-22T19:02:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=74156"},"modified":"2025-07-28T12:03:24","modified_gmt":"2025-07-28T19:03:24","slug":"officials-leaner-budget-wont-shake-californias-support-for-aging-with-dignity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/?p=74156","title":{"rendered":"Officials: Leaner Budget Won\u2019t Shake California\u2019s Support for \u2018Aging With Dignity\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n
\n
By<\/span>Nicole Chang<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/i>
\n
\n

By 2030, one-in-four Californians will be over the age of 60. Despite looming cuts, officials say the state remains committed to supporting older adults.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\"\"<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\n

GLENDALE, CA \u2013 Over 100 attendees gathered Thursday, July 17, evening at ABC Studio for \u201cThe ABCs of Aging Town Hall: Getting Older and Wiser,\u201d hosted live by ABC7 Eyewitness News anchor Mark Brown.<\/p>\n

Sponsored by the California Department of Aging, the event brought together state and county officials, aging experts, and caregivers to address the pressing needs of California\u2019s rapidly growing senior population.<\/p>\n

Older adults from across the greater Los Angeles metro area and even from San Bernardino County gathered at Glendale\u2019s iconic Grand Central Air Terminal, sharing unique perspectives and raising practical, often deeply personal questions about aging.<\/p>\n

One woman traveled from Rancho Cucamonga to ask about long-term care insurance, while another woman shared her story of caring for her 104-year-old mother, who passed away recently. Now facing her own aging journey, she expressed her concerns with a mix of vulnerability and strength, prompting prolonged and heartfelt applause from the audience.<\/p>\n

The expert panel emphasized the importance of early planning, open family communication, and the use of state-fund resources without hesitation. They also urged older adults to seek medical advice early, noting that conditions like urinary tract infections or vitamin deficiencies can mimic cognitive decline.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
Over 100 attendees gathered Thursday, July 17, evening at ABC Studio for \u201cThe ABCs of Aging Town Hall: Getting Older and Wiser. (Credit: Nicole Chang)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

\u201cPeople plan vacations\u2026 We should be planning retirement and aging with the same intention,\u201d said Senior Director of Public Policy Barbra McLendon with Alzheimer\u2019s Los Angeles, underscoring the value of proactive aging strategies.<\/p>\n

Dr. Donna Benton, director of the Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center, highlighted the need for support among families facing dementia.<\/p>\n

\u201cDementia is a progressive disease. Early intervention and support services\u2014often available for free and in multiple languages\u2014are essential,\u201d she noted.<\/p>\n

Panelists also addressed the financial challenges many seniors face, especially with soaring rent and living costs. They advised exploring resources like subsidized meals, transportation vouchers, and tax-funded caregiver support. \u201cDon\u2019t be ashamed to use services you\u2019ve already paid into through your taxes,\u201d one expert advised.<\/p>\n

One of the most sobering topics was elder abuse, often inflicted by family members. \u201cOne-in-ten seniors faces some form of abuse,\u201d said Dr. Laura Trejo, director of the LA County Department of Aging and Disabilities. She explained that abuse includes not only physical harm or financial exploitation, but also neglect, such as failing to provide food, medication, or hygiene care.<\/p>\n

Dr. Trejo reminded the audience that signs of abuse should be reported immediately, and that assistance can be accessed through resources like 211.<\/p>\n

The panel emphasized maintaining physical and mental health through diet, exercise, and social connection. Mediterranean diets, regular physical activity\u2014even walking with a walker\u2014and community engagement were recommended.<\/p>\n

\n
\"\"<\/a>
California Department of Aging Director Susan DeMarois reaffirmed the state\u2019s commitment to aging with dignity, referencing Governor Gavin Newsom\u2019s Master Plan for Aging. (Credit: Nicole Chang)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n

Despite looming budget constraints, California Department of Aging Director Susan DeMarois reaffirmed the state\u2019s commitment to aging with dignity, referencing Governor Gavin Newsom\u2019s Master Plan for Aging, a long-term initiative running through 2030.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen Governor Newsom took office in 2019, he knew that by 2030 one-in-four Californians will be over the age of 60 and we set in motion a plan to prepare for the year 2030,\u201d Demarois said.<\/p>\n

Amid concerns about potential federal budget cuts following the passage of legislation dubbed the \u201cOne Big Beautiful Bill,\u201d signed by President Donald Trump, California officials sought to reassure the public.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re still analyzing the Big Beautiful Bill. It\u2019s quite in-depth and comprehensive, so it will have ramifications\u2026 especially on Medicaid,\u201d said DeMarois.<\/p>\n

However, she emphasized that for now, essential aging programs remain secure.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m pleased to say that at both the federal and state levels, funding for key programs, including the Older American Act and community-based services, remains intact.\u201d<\/p>\n

Reflecting on the event, DeMarois shared what moved her most: the hopeful energy in the room. \u201cWhat I appreciated most was how positive and empowering this conversation was.\u201d<\/p>\n

Aging Resources and Information<\/h2>\n

Statewide<\/strong>
\nCalifornia Department of Aging<\/a>\u00a0: (800) 510-2020, available weekdays 8 a.m.- 5 p.m.<\/p>\n

California Caregiver Resource Centers<\/a><\/p>\n

National Center on Elder Abuse<\/a><\/p>\n

Los Angeles County<\/strong><\/p>\n

LA County Aging\u00a0& Disabilities Department<\/a>\u00a0: Dial 211<\/p>\n

LA County Transportation Hotline<\/strong>: (888) 863-7411<\/p>\n

City of Los Angeles Department of Aging<\/a>\u00a0: (213) 482-7252<\/p>\n

Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center<\/a>\u00a0: (800) 540-4442<\/p>\n

Orange County<\/strong><\/p>\n

Orange Co. Office on Aging<\/a>\u00a0: (714) 480:6450<\/p>\n

Caregiver Resource Center OC<\/a>\u00a0: (714) 446:5030<\/p>\n

Riverside County<\/strong><\/p>\n

Riverside Co. Office on Aging : Aging\u00a0& Ability Resource Center<\/a>\u00a0: (877) 932-4100<\/p>\n

Riverside Co. Family Caregiver Support<\/a>\u00a0: (877) 932-4100<\/p>\n

San Bernardino County<\/strong><\/p>\n

San Bernardino Co. Aging and Adult Services<\/a>\u00a0: (909) 891-3900<\/p>\n

San Bernardino Co. Family Caregiver Support Program<\/a>\u00a0: (800) 510-2020<\/p>\n

Ventura County<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ventura Co. Area Agency of Aging<\/a>\u00a0: (805) 477-7300<\/p>\n

Image via Rawpixel. Published under\u00a0CC license 4.0<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ByNicole Chang Jul 21, 2025 By...<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-74156","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ca-local","category-health"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74156","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=74156"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74156\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":74157,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/74156\/revisions\/74157"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=74156"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=74156"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lapost.us\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=74156"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}