AARP proud of new info center

Friday, May 16, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

Bigger is better if you run a referral service for Clark County seniors.

That's why the American Association of Retired Persons invited its national president to cut the ribbon Thursday at the grand opening of the newly enlarged AARP Information Center at the Howard Cannon Center, 340 N. 11th St.

Margaret Dixon, head of the 33-million member organization, said she was overwhelmed by the new center. It is at least quadruple the size of the previous office AARP ran at the Cannon Center since 1988. An all-volunteer staff runs the information service.

"This impresses me a lot more than the Strip," Dixon said of her first visit to Nevada. "Thank you to the volunteers and to the staff. You're not looking for rewards. You're just looking to improve the quality of life where you live and we appreciate that very much."

Dixon said the Las Vegas information center is particularly impressive compared to AARP outlets in other states, such as those with a single table in a library or a kiosk in a shopping mall.

"Information centers are a place where AARP builds a dynamic presence throughout the community," she said. "They (seniors) don't have to call Washington to find out what they need."

She stressed the value of the new center by holding up a quarter, symbolizing the difficulty of winning at slots.

"Everyone who visits the AARP center here is certain to be a winner," Dixon said. "Now that's not a gamble."

After the ceremony, Dixon stressed that the priorities of her organization remain affordable health care and long-term care, economic security and consumer protection.

"We're all concerned about Medicare," she said. "I would like to see them (Congress) get going and find a way to have solvency. I want the security of knowing it will be there."

Dixon said she also wants to make sure Baby Boomers have access to Social Security and solid retirement programs. She also said she wants seniors to be able to work "as long as they can without being forced to retire."

Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa also was on hand. She noted her office has worked with AARP to combat elder abuse and fraud against seniors.

"It has not just been age-based concerns," she said. "The people at AARP are concerned about the community in general."

Mildred Willard, office coordinator at the information center, said it will refer seniors to the appropriate agencies at no charge. Trained volunteers are even on hand to help prepare federal tax returns.

Some of the most frequently asked questions at the center involve the AARP's insurance plans and 55 Alive, a safe driving program that enables participants to get discounts of 5 to 25 percent on automobile insurance.

The information center is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The phone number is 386-8661.