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Community Corner

New Community Resource Center For Aging

USC Verdugo Hills Hospital launches Community Resource Center For Aging to support older adults and caregivers. Free services provided.

Navigage presents check to CRCA for new program supporting older adults and caregivers.
Navigage presents check to CRCA for new program supporting older adults and caregivers. (Mary Dawson @ Cal West Media)

To assist local older adults and their caregivers during this challenging time, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital (USC-VHH) has launched the COMMUNITY RESOURCE CENTER FOR AGING (CRCA).

The USC-VHH CRCA, which is funded by a generous grant from the Navigage Foundation, aims to improve the quality of life for older adults by connecting them with a broad network of support services from the hospital, as well as nonprofit and public health organizations. People can also receive guidance navigating both daily needs, like food and medicine delivery or transportation, to major life decisions like long-term care or assisted living. Access to the CRCA is free to anyone in the community.

“ Older adults have their own unique questions and challenges, which are further complicated by the pandemic,” says Adria Navarro, PhD, LCSW, program manager of the CRCA. “USC-VHH has created a support network for older adults in our community and we are excited to be here for them at such a critical time.”

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For Toni M. of La Cañada Flintridge, the CRCA provided invaluable guidance navigating care for Toni’s 97 year old mother. The CRCA gave Toni referrals for in-home care and options for future assisted care. Her mother now has a live-in nurse and enjoys spending peaceful time in the garden with her friendly neighborhood squirrels.

“Working with a CRCA has enabled both my mother and me to live more independently, with the security of knowing our options for the future,” Toni says. “I would recommend this organization for anyone with loved ones in their older years.”

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To contact the USC-VHH CRCA for assistance, call 818-949-4033, or learn more at www.uscvhh.org/hospital-servic...

Pictured From left to right are Navigate board members Todd Walklett, DeWayne McMullin, Sarah Rock, and Jim Rock presenting a check for $141,750 to CRCA program manager Adria Navarro and CRCA advisory board members Susan Carr and Tina Marie Ito.

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