Senior Connect

Celebrating Reno Seniors

May is Older Americans Month and the City of Reno and its Senior Citizen Advisory Committee (SCAC) are celebrating the accomplishments, contributions, and lives of its Senior Citizens. SCAC is tasked with engaging those aged 60 or older by Reno’s City Council so Seniors can be active and involved. This improves a Senior’s quality of life, keeping them healthier and more active. With the help of the City of Reno’s Community Relationships Office, the SCAC has partnered with the Washoe County Human Services Agency-Seniors Division, the City of Reno Reno Parks and Recreation Department, Sierra Arts Foundation, Truckee Meadows Pickleball Club, Reno Aces, Sanford Center for Aging, and Reno City Councilmember Meghan Ebert to provide many fun events and activities Reno Seniors can engage in this May.

“It is important for Seniors to be mentally and physically active as well as socialize,” Committee Chairman Paco Lachoy said. “Our Older Americans Month activities are designed to end isolation and depression through socialization. Isolation and depression are serious issues for Seniors.”

The Committee has two major events during the month – the Senior Artists Exhibit and Show at the historic McKinley Arts and Culture Center, and Senior Day at the Aces.

After a very successful 2022 Exhibit and Show using just the East Wing Gallery, the show has expanded this year to include the West Wing and the auditorium for three weeks. The Exhibit and Show opened on April 25 and 26. The galleries are available Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The display in the auditorium runs through June 2, 2023.

The second major event is Senior Day at the Reno Aces, as the hometown team takes on their rivals from across the Sierras, the Sacramento River Cats on Sunday, May 21 at 1:05 pm. SCAC will be giving away 300 tickets to low and fixed-income Seniors who might not have an opportunity to go otherwise. Besides being Senior Day, it is $1 Hot Dog Sunday and one of the Dog Days the Aces host.

Other activities include:

Ice Cream Socials:

Activities close out Older Americans Month with the traditional Sock Hop and Ice Cream Social hosted by Sanford Center for Aging and the Reno SCAC at the Washoe County Senior Center on May 31 from 2 p.m. to 5 pm.

Watch the Re-Know Minute

Our latest episode with KOLO 8 News Now highlights Older Americans Month in the City of Reno.

Senior Day at the Legislature

For the first time, the Senior Coalition of Washoe County took the lead in hosting the bi-annual Senior Day at the Legislature in Carson City. The day is designed to allow Seniors to bring their concerns and needs to the State legislature while it is in session. Nevada’s “Citizen” Legislature meets every other year, in the odd-numbered year, for 120 days.

In a packed room in the legislative building in Carson City, Seniors received a crash course in lobbying legislators and heard inspirational conversations from state agencies that serve Seniors and about current legislation affecting Seniors under consideration. A highlight of the day was a rally on the steps of the legislative building, basically in front of the main exit door, organizers called “Raise Your Voice”. Rally participants chanted “Age in place, a place to age!” drawing attention to the housing crisis Seniors face. Seniors came prepared with signs to hold saying things like “Age in Place”, “Seniors Vote”, and ”Senior Lives Matter.”

The main issues facing Seniors in Nevada are affordable housing and the caregiver crisis as Seniors age. Seniors heard brief updates from State agencies that deal with Seniors, including Secretary of State Francisco Aguilar and ADSD Director Dina Schmidt.

Senator Cortez-Masto Visits with SCAC

Nevada U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez-Masto met with members of the Reno Senior Advisory Committee at a Senior Resource Fair, thanking them for their hard work for Seniors. The Committee discussed the Senior Resource ARPA funds Reno City Council had given Seniors. She applauded the Council and Committee members for their engagement.

From the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee

Have you thought about being part of a Committee that helps, promotes and advocates for Reno Seniors? The City of Reno Senior Citizen Advisory Committee is looking for residents who are interested in serving on the committee and being an active part of the work the committee does. The Committee currently is tasked with communicating and engaging Seniors in the City of Reno. To do this we publish a monthly newsletter, Connecting Seniors; host a weekly radio program, We R Community on 93.7 FM and have a monthly column in Senior Spectrum magazine.

Engagement activities usually happen during Older Americans Month each May. If interested please email us at [email protected].