8K
Date: September 15, 2026
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Commission on Aging
Ted Stevens, Community Services Director
By: Cyndy Rosell, Supervising Administrative Assistant | [email protected] Subject: Commission on Aging and Community Services – Accept and File 2025-26 Commission on Aging Annual Report. Expenditure: None.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation of the Commission on Aging and Community Services Director that City Council accept and file the 2025-26 Commission on Aging Annual Report.
FUNDING
None required.
DISCUSSION
The 2025-26 Annual Report, which summarizes the Commission on Aging’s activities from July 2025 through June 2026, is attached for the City Council’s information and review. The Commission on Aging approved this report at its meeting on August 4, 2026, and moved to request that it be accepted by the City Council.
ATTACHMENT
1. 2025-2026 Commission on Aging Annual Report
1 CITY OF TORRANCE
TORRANCE COMMISSION
ON AGING
ANNUAL REPORT
202
5 -
202
6 PURPOSE OF
COMMISSION
:
The Commission on Aging consists of seven residents of Torrance who act to identify situations and problems affecting the senior population, and to serve as a liaison to the City Council.
The Commission on Aging meets the first Tuesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. ( except for
June). The
meetings are held in the West Annex Commission Meeting Room and are open to the public. Torrance r
esidents are encouraged to attend Commission on Aging meetings to address matters of concern to the senior community.
202
5 -
202
6 MEMBERS OF THE
COMMISSION
:
Mary Hileman
Chair
Barbara Ohno
Member
Keith Montoya
Vice Chair
I
l
ona Bisenieks
Member
Lynda Kraemer
Member
Kim Wang
Member
Public Meetings and Presentations
made to the Commission
:
•
August
5 , 202
5 –
At this meeting t
wo presentations were given. Khyla Inman, Vice President of Community Relations, presented on the differences between hospice and palliative care and addressed common myths about hospice, helping clarify how each type of care supports patients and families
. Additionally, Linnett Azucar, a City of Torrance intern, presented ideas on renaming senior centers to better reflect and engage future generations. •
September 2, 2025
–
Natalie Rosemond, Director of Healthcare Services and Professional Training presented information on Alzheimer’s Los Angeles, a non -
profit, and the services that
they provide: helpline, caregiver workshops, caregiver tip sheets, referral tips sheets, ongoi ng
wraparound support and services, activity programs and support groups. •
October 7, 2025
–
Tadashi Masumoto, Management Assistant in the Office of Emergency Services, presented information on Emergency Services and Disaster Preparedness and discussed ways to prepare, create various types of emergency kits and make plans for fires, earthquakes an
d
sheltering in place. He discussed establishing escape routes, making plans for pets and collecting
supplies that
needed to be on hand and making a list of outside contacts. He listed where to obtain community information, earthquake alerts and explained the warning sirens and alerts within the
city
and distributed emergency guides.
•
November 4, 2025
–
At this meeting
Dr. Andy Shen, Emergency Doctor, Kelie Tabangay, LCSW
and Reverand Doug Lee, Spiritual Care Manager introduced themselves and explained their positions at Torrance Memorial Hospital and the mission of Caring Companions, A No One Dies ATTACHMENT 1
2 Alone (NODA) Program. Dr. Shen explained that the program had started in 2021 and added that there were now programs in other hospitals as well as Torrance Memorial. Kelie Tabangay discussed the process, training and the duties of the caring companions. Reverend Lee explained the program’s challenges, noted that there were now 16 caring companions and added that they hoped to be able to offer 24-hour coverage.
• December 2, 2025 – Bea Virobik, Focal Point Office Manager, presented an overview of the Focal Point office, its services, and its history, noting her 36 years in the role. She explained that the center operates primarily through phone -based assistance and referrals rather than walk -in visits, supported by volunteers who follow up with clients and track service requests for monthly reporting. She also shared updates on the Service Directory, which is scheduled for publication at the end of the fiscal year and will be available on the City’s website, and req uested help in increasing public awareness of Focal Point services.
• January 6, 2026 – Melissa Morales, Associate Director of Community Impact for Habitat for Humanity, presented an overview of the program’s mission, impact, and key service areas. She reviewed the homeownership program, including eligibility and income requirements, and highlighted the Pathways to Ownership Program, which offers homebuyer education, counseling, and support throughout the homebuying process. She also discussed programs providing low - cost home repairs for eligible low -income homeowners and the Older Adults Home Modification Grant Program, including available upgrades and volunteer opportunities.
• February 3, 2026 – Yvette I. Cordero, Special Projects Manager at the Edward R. Roybal Institute on Aging, presented on Caregiver Wellness and Stress Management 101. She discussed the Institute’s research and the roles of family and dementia caregivers, including the stresses associated with caregiving. She also shared strategies and support resources to help caregivers manage stress, including LA Found and Alzheimer’s Los Angeles.
• March 3, 2026 – John Chang, partner at Patinelli & Chang, LLP , presented an overview of Estate Planning 101. He explained the importance of estate planning, including the differences between a will and a living trust and potential issues related to probate when no trust is in place. He also reviewed conservatorships and key estate planning documents such as trusts, wills, powers of attorney, advance health care directives, HIPAA/CMIA authorizations, and guardianship and property agreements.
• April 7, 2026 – Police Services Supervisor Christina Szczypkowski presented the Return Home Registry Program, a database designed to help locate and identify individuals who may have difficulty identifying themselves. She explained the registration process, which includes submitting photos and registering through the Police Department’s website, and noted that participants receive an identification tag to carry. She also provided program materials and clarified that individuals do not need to be Torrance residents to enroll.
• May 5, 2026 – Miles McNeeley, LCSW, from Wise and Healthy Aging presented an overview of services supporting older adults, including elder abuse prevention and response programs such as HEART and the APS Center of Excellence. He reviewed types of abuse, including physic al, emotional, financial exploitation, neglect, and self-neglect, and described educational efforts like fraud prevention workshops and professional training. He also explained available fraud support services and the referral process for complex cases, as well as the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which provides advocacy, investigation, and oversight for individuals in care facilities. 3 • June 2026 – Commission is dark.
Commission Programs:
Torrance Older Americans Award –
Each year, the commission accepts nominations for the annual Torrance Older Americans Award, which recognizes outstanding contributions by older adults in the community. This year, three nominations were received. After careful review, the commission approved all three recipients for the award. The 2026 recipients included Beverly Kay Findley, Joe Provenzano and Ronald Kott . In addition, the commission nominated one of the selected Torrance Older Americans awardees to the Los Angeles County Older Americans Award program which was Ronald Kott.
The Torrance Older Americans Awardees were honored by the Torrance City Council at their meeting on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. The meeting was held at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall, where along with their families the honorees were celebrated and presented with a plaque by Mayor Chen.
Torrance Centenarian Award –
Mr. Billy C. Slonecker – At the August 19, 2025, City Council meeting, Mr. Bill C. Slonecker was recognized as the eighth recipient of the Torrance Centenarian Recognition Program. Surrounded by his family, Mr. Slonecker received a proclamation from the Mayor and City Council, and a Torrance Centenarian Coin presented by the Commission on Aging in honor of his 100th birthday and lifetime of service.
Mrs. Ruth Kimiko Inadomi – At the December 2, 2025, City Council meeting, the city recognized Mrs.
Ruth Kimiko Inadomi in celebration of her 100th birthday. Born in Los Angeles in 1925, Mrs. Inadomi has led a remarkable life, overcoming the challenges of the Japanese American internment during World War II and earning a degree from the University of Southern California at the age of 45. A Torrance resident since 1994, she has remained actively engaged through tennis, golf, fitness, and community service.
Mrs. Julia C. Blake – At the February 10, 2026, City Council meeting, Mrs. Julia C. Blake was recognized in celebration of her 100th birthday. Born in Lima, Peru, in 1925, Mrs. Blake immigrated to the United States in the 1950s and became a Torrance resident in 1969, where she has lived in the Riviera neighborhood for more than 50 years. Mrs. Blake was honored for her lifetime of accomplishments, enduring commitment to her family and community, and her many years as a valued member of the Torrance community.
Mr. William Ihde – At the February 10, 2026, City Council meeting, Mr. William "Bill" Ihde was recognized in celebration of his 100th birthday. A World War II veteran, Mr. Ihde, has been a Torrance resident since 1941, when he moved to the community as a teenager and contributed to its early growth through his hard work and dedication.
Oral Reports on Senior Citizen Concerns:
At the end of each meeting, members of the commission provide updates on key focus areas. These reports include City Council Activities presented by Commissioner Hileman, Community Programs 4 presented by Commissioner Kraemer, Health by Commissioner Wang, Transportation by Commissioner Montoya, Focal Point on Aging and Housing by Commissioner Bisenieks, and Elder Abuse/Fraud by Commissioner Ohno. Commissioners share relevant information and resources that support the needs and interests of the older adult community. These presentations are intended to keep the commission informed and help guide future discussions and initiatives.
Conclusion:
The Commission is indebted to the City Council and the City Staff for their support and assistance in helping the Commission on Aging members to be available to senior citizens in our community. We are especially grateful to City Staff Liaison Jesus Castro for his guidance and support, and to Ellen Seaman, Commission Recording Secretary.
Respectfully submitted,
______________________
Mary Hileman
2025-2026 Chairperson
Torrance Commission on Aging
5 Submitted by: Bea Virobik, Office Manager, Focal Point on Aging Russ Nolte Annex of the Bartlett Senior Center
1339 Post Avenue
Torrance, CA 90501
Focal Point Annual Report
June 2025 - June 2026
The Focal Point on Aging under the Torrance Community Services Department has assisted clients for the past 30 years by connecting to resources that answer their needs. The volunteer staff does follow up calls 2 weeks later. Seniors can not afford the inflated prices of housing which has resulted with homelessness.
Torrance offers homeless outreach and temporary housing programs.
This coming year 25th edition of the Focal Point will be printed and distributed to community partners.
The website is www.torranceca.gov/focalpoint
Statistics for June 2025-2026
. 251 documented calls
. 422 miscellaneous inquiries
. 673 total calls
. 1716 web inquiries
Goal for 2026-2027: Continuing to provide resouces to meet clients needs which will give them a better quality of life.
6