ABC7 hosts empowering conversation with California Department of Aging

GLENDALE, Calif. (KABC) -- With so much happening in our community today, navigating elderhood can feel confusing, but you are not alone.

Thursday night, Eyewitness News anchor Marc Brown and Chief Meteorologist Dallas Raines welcomed viewers to an empowering one-hour town hall special, answering your questions about protecting our well-being as we age.

"The ABCs of Aging Town Hall: Getting Older and Wiser" was sponsored by the California Department of Aging.

"The ABCs of Aging Town Hall" hosted a panel of experts who provided a wealth of information about growing older and helping loved ones as they age.

We received hundreds of responses, and answering the call at the historic Grand Central Air Terminal were:

• Dr. Laura Trejo, Director, Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department
• Barbra McLendon, Alzheimer's Los Angeles senior director for public policy
• Dr. Donna Benton, Director of the Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center
• Susan DeMarois, Director of the California Department of Aging

During our town hall, panelists covered a wide variety of your concerns, from optimal aging to financial planning, how to prepare for becoming a caregiver to your parents, and the importance of avoiding isolation.

Viewers in our live audience also asked for the differences between normal age-related forgetfulness and Alzheimer's disease, and shared concerns related to elder abuse and neglect.

If you missed any part of our ABC7 town hall, you can watch it in the video player above.

California Aging Resources

• California Department of Aging - (800) 510-2020, available weekdays 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• California Caregiver Resource Centers
• National Center on Elder Abuse

Los Angeles Area Aging Resources

• LA County Aging & Disabilities Department - Dial 211
• LA County Transportation Hotline - (888) 863-7411
• City of Los Angeles Department of Aging - (213) 482-7252
• Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center - (800) 540-4442

Orange County

• Orange Co. Office on Aging - (714) 480-6450
• Caregiver Resource Center OC - (714) 446-5030

Riverside County

• Riverside Co. Office on Aging - Aging & Ability Resource Center - (877) 932-4100
• Riverside Co. Family Caregiver Support - (877) 932-4100

San Bernardino County

• San Bernardino Co. Aging and Adult Services - (909) 891-3900
• San Bernardino Co. Family Caregiver Support Program - (800) 510-2020

Ventura County

• Ventura Co. Area Agency of Aging - (805) 477-7300
• Family Caregiver Resource Center - Camarillo - (805) 388-1952
• Family Caregiver Resource Center - East Ventura Co.: - (805) 497-0189
• Family Caregiver Resource Center - West Ventura Co.: - (805) 477-7300, option 2

Growing old in California means creating your own story. New choices, better resources and support across every community. Explore all aspects of Aging in California.