Las Vegas Department on Aging

 

Currently, the Nevada Department of Health & Human Services Aging and Disability Services Division assists persons 60 and over and vulnerable adults with functional limitations. That department makes certain these persons are protected from abuse and neglect, and have access to medical care and other wellness services.

Homelessness among seniors is a growing concern in Las Vegas, as it is throughout the United States. According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD),  the number of homeless individuals aged 62 and older increased by 15% between 2018 and 2019.

As Las Vegas' population grows, Seniors on fixed incomes, already squeezed by inflation, may have difficulty paying their bills, buying their medication, and paying ever-increasing rent. 

In 2023, more than 30,000 households were evicted in the Las Vegas valley. in 2024, an average of 70 eviction cases go through the Clark County courts each day. of those, 90 percent of those cases end in an eviction. Currently, including Seniors, the courts are evicting 125 people each day.  

During the pandemic, seniors we hard hit by disruptions in social services.  Vulnerable seniors were separated from family and the customary support networks. Because of heightened risks due to their age and health vulnerabilities, Seniors experienced job loss, economic instability, and health issues. Many also had difficulty accessing affordable housing.

My administration will establish a Las Vegas Department on Aging to reverse these alarming realities.

Without duplicating State services, the Las Vegas Department on Aging will work to assist and counsel persons aged 55 years and older - pre-retirees, who are within the Senior age demographic. This department will assist them prepare for the future, pre and post-retirement.

We may help some as they prepare to launch new post retirement second careers and others as they prepare to transition to a life of leisure, or greater involvement and interaction with family and friends. 

This new city department will ensure borderline Vegas Seniors and full fledged Seniors have a local resource capable of helping them avoid physical and emotional crises. As well, we will make certain they can enjoy a high quality of life of their choosing.