Senior Citizens Advisory Board Meeting - August 7, 2025

The Senior Citizens Advisory Board met on August 7, 2025, to discuss senior issues including tenant rights, caregiver compensation, advocacy services, and ongoing community initiatives. The meeting included a presentation by a certified senior advisor, reports from board members on ward activities, and public comment from a local handyman service.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Magda Asentio, representing Handyman Ruben, introduced the company's maintenance and repair services. She expressed a desire to serve the senior community, emphasizing trust and fair pricing. Board member Caroline Mos spoke from personal experience, endorsing the service but advising seniors to check references and noting the challenge of finding reliable help. She highlighted that the city's Neighborhood Services and the SHIFT program can provide resource lists, though many services are income-restricted.

Discussion Items

• Item 6: Report by Gregory Gray on Senior Issues (Office of Community Services)
  • Gray reported a rising number of calls from seniors about tenant rights, specifically family members or guests refusing to leave after staying past two weeks, requiring a formal eviction process. He cited a case of an elderly couple with a son refusing to leave; they initially forwent eviction hoping he would find housing, but later had to sell their home and restart proceedings. He urged awareness of these situations.
  • On caregiver compensation, Gray explained that the state does not compensate family caregivers; the assumption is that caregivers have financial means. Medicaid's personal care services (PCS) are available but require a lengthy process and are subject to approval. Respite services exist through Medicare/Medicaid/private insurance but are not compensation. He described a case of a daughter who quit her job to care for her mother with dementia, struggling to find day centers and seeking compensation. Recommendations included respite services and having the mother sign up for a senior center. Without guardianship or power of attorney, accessing Social Security as a payee is difficult, leaving seniors vulnerable to elder abuse and financial exploitation.
  • Gray also noted concerns about elder abuse, theft, and the importance of monitoring.
• Item 5: Presentation by Rachel West, Certified Senior Advisor and Managing Director, Nevada Advocates
  • Rachel West described Nevada Advocates' services, which include healthcare case management (RNs attend appointments, coordinate care) and financial power of attorney (bill pay, dexterity issues). The company is licensed and insured with fiduciary coverage. Services are private-pay at $120/hour billed in 15-minute increments, no monthly fee or retainer. Phones are staffed 24/7 for emergencies.
  • Examples: Helping a gentleman with stashed cash, assisting families with placement, providing safety assessments, and updating out-of-state families. West emphasized that they can help clients stay off guardianship. When clients lack capacity, they sometimes take pro bono cases and work with hospital case managers. They are working to become a Medicaid case management provider to help with waiver programs, as funds are available but case managers are scarce.
  • Board members asked questions: Deanna Weir Cameron asked about capacity referrals (West explained she assesses capacity and often introduces herself to family members). How compensation works (private pay, but some pro bono). David Tillsar asked about family follow-up (West says engagement varies; they aim to keep family in a supportive role, not as caretakers). Nicole Graham shared a positive experience working with West for a patient's family.
  • West urged seniors to get power of attorney documents done early, as many wait until it's too late. Contact: 702-750-? (number given as 702 75005).
• Item 7: Board Member Reports
  • Ward 1 (Vice Chair Nicole Graham): No report.
  • Ward 3 (Jennifer Drum): Recognized NM Construction, LFP Restoration, and Home Depot for repairing a fence for a low-income senior couple after a fire. Attended National Night Out and Southern Nevada Senior Law Program meeting. Emphasized the program's legal services for seniors.
  • Ward 4 (Deanna Weir Cameron): Noticed many seniors seeking help on the Nextdoor app; she intervenes to provide accurate resources. She often receives calls about housing, utilities, food, and skilled nursing dissatisfaction. Noted improved Ombudsman program with only 10% vacancy, covering 85-90% of facilities in June/July. Encouraged use of the care line and warned against circumventing processes (eviction, Medicaid).
  • Ward 4 (David Tillsar, Sun City): Reported successful events: "One Community" gathering with over 400 residents (May); Knox Box program (K N O X) – a secure lockbox for emergency access, with almost 350 sign-ups, first residential area in Nevada to pilot; July 4th golf cart parade (60+ carts); August Tuesday night with Summerlin Command on communication systems. He noted the need to improve attendance for future events (only ~100 out of 14,000 residents). Also mentioned helping a resident with a dirt pile issue (resolved quickly).
  • Ward 5 (Charles Lee): A senior reported that effective September 1, an additional $10 fee will be charged to use the fitness room at a community center, with no instructor. Seniors are concerned about affordability and lack of alternatives. Requested an answer from city staff.
  • Ward 6 (Caroline Mos): Announced upcoming events: August 16 ornament decoration for Nevada's first Christmas tree at BLM office (10-2); Campus for Hope groundbreaking (900 beds for unhoused, in Ward 1). Reminded about First Tuesday meetings with city marshals and Metro police. Encouraged reporting nuisance/party homes via 911. Shared free services from Clark County Recorder's Office: Recording Notification Service (to prevent deed fraud) and other pamphlets (Property Owner Info, Nevada Homestead Law, foreclosure fraud prevention). Contact: Assessor's Office, 7220 Bermuda Road, Suite A, Las Vegas, 702-486-0782.
• Item 8: Discussion on Next Steps and Future Meeting Topics
  • Chair reminded that next month's meeting will be in a different location. To avoid confusion, board members will meet in the lobby and go together to the new area. Encouraged members to attend events in each other's wards to learn resources. Only one speaker per month allowed, so self-education is important.
• Item 9: Citizen Participation (Public Comment)
  • Magda Asentio (Handyman Ruben) offered services. (See Public Comments & Testimony above for details and board response.)

Key Outcomes

• No formal votes or motions were made during the meeting.
• The board noted that the September meeting will be held in a new location; members will assemble in the lobby beforehand.
• Board members will continue to gather and share resources, with an emphasis on income-restricted vs. non-restricted services.
• No action was taken on the fitness room fee issue; staff (Gregory Gray) will look into it to provide an answer for Ward 5.