Following an announcement that the county approved a study on the demographics of the senior population in Forsyth, the Senior Services Department has set an open panel discussion on aging.

The panel will take place on Wednesday, July 12 from 2-3 p.m. at the Center at Charles Place, located at 595 Dahlonega St. near downtown Cumming.

“This program is a great opportunity for our senior residents and their families to come hear from experts on a range of topics — from law the health care — as it relates to aging,” said Ruthie Brew, director of senior services for the county.

After a discussion, the panel will take questions from the audience.

Four experts will sit as panelists on the topic of aging: Danielle Cefalu Humphrey, an attorney with Hurley Elder Care Law; Kim Ruiz, a social services specialist with the Division of Aging Services; Ashley Magistro, a life counselor with Avita Community Partners; and Robin Pingeton-Nelson, a nurse practitioner with Transitional Care Physicians of Atlanta.

The program is free and open to the public.

RSVP to attend by Monday, July 10 by calling (770) 781-2178.

Earlier in June, county commissioners approved $28,920 to Bleakley Advisory to conduct a study on the senior demographic in Forsyth, including looking into what the current percentage of seniors living in the county is, what that percentage will be in 10-20 years and whether the exemption from paying school taxes for those 65 or older plays into seniors wanting to move to Forsyth.

The study will break down demographics based on commission district, look at the popularity and use of age-restricted properties and the future growth of the senior population.