Types of Communities

If you’re looking for a safe and comfortable setting to provide with opportunities to make new friends who share the same interests as you, the retirement communities of Las Vegas are the perfect choice.

Living options include apartments, townhomes, or rooms requiring little or no maintenance. Experts suggest that whichever type of housing is preferred, it’s important to see them in person. It’s also a good idea to find out about getting on a waiting list (if necessary) and determine the length of the expected wait. When visiting and interviewing at retirement communities, shop around. Make several visits at different times.

Services often vary depending on the type and cost of the facility. Seniors are typically responsible for their own finances, transportation, meals and health care. Recreational activities are usually offered, maid service may be provided, some meals may be provided in a common room, and the facility may offer transportation to physicians or shopping.

It’s important that a community under consideration is close to areas like doctor’s offices, hospitals, grocery stores and favorite shopping places. Identify what amenities are important to you, such as an onsite beauty shop, golf course membership, transportation for doctor appointments, shopping, cultural events, churches, and social outings. Inquire about the quality of the food and the staff – these are all very good questions to ask.

Leisure Activities and Travel

Las Vegas, with its wonderfully sunny climate, conveniently located airport, great entertainment venues and fabulous dining choices, is a great place for seniors to be active. You can join tours to travel to exotic places or volunteer at a local museum, enjoy ballroom dancing, hiking in nearby mountains, or take scenic drives in the area.

The region also has numerous neighborhood recreation centers, including the YMCA and others offering engaging activities and, in many cases, senior fitness programs.

The Department of Leisure Services, Senior Citizen Programs Division, is a useful resource from the city of Las Vegas. Be sure to read “The Las Vegas Active Adult, Your Guide to Living Beyond the Neon at 50 +,” which is available online at www.lasvegasnevada.gov/files/LV_Active_Adult.pdf.

The city’s facilities are run by top-notch staff and can be found throughout Las Vegas to serve all your leisure-time needs. A quick scan of offerings included in the publication include belly dancing, Tai-Chi Gong, jewelry design, water color painting, hula classes, candle-making, self defense workshops, photo scavenger hunts, go-kart racing as well as day trips to Hoover Dam, Boulder City and Lake Mead.

AARP in Nevada for 50+ Workforce

If you’re like many recently transplanted Nevadans, you may have moved to the sunny climate of Las Vegas to retire and relax. Although you’re at retirement age, you may find that you’re not really ready to retire.

Recent AARP surveys indicate that as many as one third of members in Nevada will continue working beyond retirement. As the U.S. economy struggles to adjust to market volatility, it can be financially beneficial to continue to work after reaching retirement age. AARP Nevada is working to create a business climate where employment opportunities are readily available for those 50+.

In an effort to connect businesses with this sector of the workforce, AARP Nevada sponsors a job fair series called Opportunity Boulevard. At the first event, open to people of all ages, more than 3,000 50+ job seekers attended.

The AARP Foundation also has two programs geared to help 50+ workers. AARP’s Worksearch program is a web-based system that offers mature workers the tools they need to assess their job interests and skills, address training gaps and connect to available jobs with local employers that value their experience.

The AARP Foundation also offers the Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP), providing job-retraining and help with re-entering the workforce for 55+ adults with limited incomes. SCSEP helps program enrollees sharpen their job hunting skills, obtain on-the-job training and find a permanent position. SCSEP has an office in Las Vegas and can be reached at (702) 648-3356 doleta.gov/seniors/.

For current information about AARP’s 50+ workforce activities in Las Vegas, visit AARP Nevada’s website at www.aarp.org/nv. For general job seeking and tips on how to have a successful job hunting experience, visit AARP’s national website at www.aarp.org.

_{Source: AARP Nevada}