Complexes lend Hand to seniors

I love Mike Mullin of Nevada Hand. Before our spouses head to their attorneys, let me rephrase that: Mullin and his staff are the closest people to true altruists that it's possible to find in the housing and neighborhood development business.

Nevada Hand's senior apartments valleywide cater to elderly people with low to moderate income. The residents live on 30 percent to 40 percent of the region's median income -- one person who makes $11,250 or less per year. A resident who lives on 30 percent of the median income can rent a two-bedroom apartment for $278.

Here's what's new: cosmetologist Janice Kyle is opening beauty shops in Stewart Pines and Tropical Pines, two of the senior apartment complexes. Initially, the shops will have a manicurist and Kyle will offer hair styling two days a week.

Kyle said prices will be comparable to what people pay at a beauty school. Her staff will be filled with new licensees.

"This is a good opportunity for people coming out of beauty school to have an opportunity to establish rapport with people and establish a clientele," Kyle said.

Kyle is a hard-working, church-going woman who said it makes her feel good to be able to provide this low-fee service to seniors.

"I've always wanted to do this. I enjoy working with seniors and it's part of my mission to be helping people," she said.

Kyle said she has been helped out a lot in her life and now wants to help out the residents of Stewart Pines and Tropical Pines. "I feel good about this," she said.

It's a win-win situation. Kyle will give valuable experience to people just out of school. The seniors will get first-class haircuts and manicures for rock-bottom prices.

Miriam Rodriguez, director of resident services for Nevada Hand, and her staff welcome any opportunity to help their senior population. Because some residents make much less than the 30 percent median, the social services coordinator in each building works with local agencies on health care opportunities for residents as well as on rent and energy rebates.

For instance, the company's senior project in Henderson, Capistrano Pines, has formed an alliance with the Henderson Boys and Girls Club through which seniors can buy food baskets at a significantly cut rate. Rodriguez said she is trying to get other clubs to get on the bandwagon and help the seniors at other projects.

The buildings hold monthly pot luck dinners to give residents a social opportunity and conduct clinics on job opportunities for seniors. Residents also have opportunities to join trips to Lake Mead and Hoover Dam, as well as to Mesquite and Primm.

I toured Stewart Pines. The beautiful facility has three stories, each with its own recreational area around the elevator entries. The first floor has the main office and mail boxes with couches and other places for people to sit and talk. Another floor has a library and computer center where seniors can take classes or send e-mail. The third floor has gym equipment and the hall where pot luck dinners and building meetings can be held. The library floor also has a small room for club meetings and the space for the beauty salon.

The apartment wings branch off from the central area. Mullin installed railings in the halls so residents can steady themselves. The apartments are sunny and spacious. Outside on the first floor is a garden area with benches and picnic tables for residents. All this is in a secure setting that sets the residents at ease.

Mullin tried to anticipate what residents needed. What he didn't anticipate is being retrofitted. The Pines project is his passion and he keeps reinventing it.

Carmel Hopkins, Real Estate Product Manager for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and Las Vegas Sun, can be reached at 380-4574. Her e-mail address is Carmel_Hopkins@ lasvegasnewspapers.com. Snail mail is P.O. Box 70, Las Vegas, NV 89125.

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