Hilarie Grey

More than 500,000 Nevadans are family caregivers. So if you're a business owner or manager, chances are you have some on your team. They care for an older parent, spouse or other loved one – helping them with transportation, errands and medical tasks to help them live independently at home. This can mean extra stress, time away from work, and impacts to their own health.

After passing the Nevada Senate with a unanimous vote, a bill aimed at helping family caregivers be better prepared to take care of loved ones at home, heads for the Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services next week. Known as the CARE Act, SB177 would improve communication between hospitals and caregivers, ensuring the caregiver is notified when a loved one is discharged or transferred, and receives instruction on any after-care required at home – such as dressing wounds or managing prescriptions.

If you’ve ever been a caregiver, you know that good communication from health professionals is critical when it comes to your ability to manage medications and perform other care tasks – especially when your family member is coming home from the hospital.

A new statewide survey highlighting Nevada family caregiver experiences, challenges and needs indicates overwhelming support for the CARE Act (SB177) and other measures aimed at helping caregivers. The survey recognizes and supports the important role an estimated 532,000 Nevadans play throughout the year as family caregivers. Their unpaid work and assistance makes it possible for parents, spouses and other loved ones to live independently at home.

This year, the AARP Foundation is again providing free tax assistance and preparation for taxpayers with low to moderate income through the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide program. AARP Foundation Tax-Aide, in its 48th year, is the nation’s largest free tax assistance and preparation service, giving special attention the older population. You do not need to be a member of AARP or a retiree to use this service.

If you've ever been a caregiver, you know that good communication from health professionals is critical when it comes to your ability to manage medications and perform other care tasks - especially when your family member is coming home from the hospital.

With awards season in full swing, AARP Nevada ambassador Janice Alpern, a longtime volunteer and arts fan who leads the Cinemaniacs movie club, offers her thoughts on favorite movies of 2014. If you live in the metro Las Vegas area and are interested in talking film with fellow movie buffs, join the Cinemaniacs and learn about upcoming meetings by registering here. You can also follow Janice on Twitter at @JaniceO9271

Domingo Floresta has been selected to receive the 2014 AARP Nevada Andrus Award for Community Service – the organization’s most prestigious state volunteer award. The award recognizes Floresta’s dedicated, inspiring service to the Las Vegas community as a volunteer leader.

Got financial skills? Love working with numbers? You can help Nevadans maximize their money this tax season by becoming a Tax-Aide volunteer!

This month, the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots kicked off its national tour in Las Vegas at The Smith Center for the Performing Arts! AARP Nevada was pleased to be able to bring a special offer to our members of discounted tickets to a specially-added Wednesday matinee of this acclaimed production. AARP Nevada ambassador Janice Alpern, a longtime volunteer and arts fan who also leads the Cinemaniacs movie club, pens today's guest blog with her reflections on the show, and the milestone of having a national tour in Las Vegas. Many thanks to The Smith Center for sharing this unique opportunity with Nevada members!