With busy lives, it can be hard to find time to volunteer. However, the benefits of volunteering are enormous to you, your family, and your community. Volunteering and helping others can help older adults reduce stress, combat depression, keep you mentally stimulated, and provide a sense of purpose.

If you’re an active adult or Arizona retireelooking for a volunteer work then you’ll be happy to know that Northwest Valley Connect is currently looking for drivers! The nonprofit agency helps Northwest Valley residents with transportation challenges find alternatives. One of those is Northwest Valley Connect’s volunteer driver program, in which volunteers use their own vehicles to provide rides for residents for doctor and other medical appointments, grocery shopping and other trips within the area.

NVC officials aim to educate the population it serves on existing transportation resources as well as provide new senior transportation options to service unmet needs. NVC serves as the one-click, one-call resource aimed to keeping older adults in the Valley active and connected to the community. From doctors appointments and errands to grocery store trips and visits with friends, getting Valley residents to the places they need to be easily and efficiently is the agencies primary mission.

Northwest Valley Connect is growing by leaps and bounds. In fact, the agency responded to more than 10,500 requests for transportation referrals and rides during the past year, according to Kathy Chandler, the executive director of Northwest Valley Connect. Most calls are from residents 55 or older with physical limitations, she added. In the past three months inquiries from Sun City, Sun City West and Surprise residents doubled figures at this same time last year.

NVC’s area of service has also seen growth and now includes Litchfield Park, Goodyear and Avondale and the projection for 2018 response to inquiries is 14,000 or more shared Chandler. If you’d like more information about volunteering for Northwest Valley Connect call 623-282-9304 or visit northwestvalleyconnect.org. If you’d like more information about volunteer activities in Sun City or if you’re looking to downsize to a home in an Arizona retirement community, please contact Sharon Mason today!

Though the first day of summer is still
technically not for another month, there’s no denying that it’s already beginning to heat up in Arizona. And while the summertime is a time of relaxation for most people, for older adults, the heat and sun can be dangerous if the proper precautions aren't taken. Here are the top 3 super summer health tips for seniors that Arizona retirees and active adults can use to make sure they have a fun, safe summer.

1.) Watch for heat stroke: It is extremely important to watch for signs of heat stroke, especially for Arizona retirees. Some signs to look for include confusion, disorientation, dry skin, excessive tiredness, headache, lethargy, nausea, and a rapid pulse. If you or someone you know experiences these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately.

2.) Stay hydrated: By the time you’re thirsty, your body is already dehydrated. For active adults, the feeling of thirst decreases as we age, so be sure to increase your water intake if you are exercising or doing any type of prolonged physical activity. Aim to drink six to eight glasses of water per day.

3.) Apply Bug Spray: The elderly is unfortunately prone to the Zika Virus, West Nile Virus and encephalitis. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, use mosquito repellent to help reduce the risk of getting bit by a mosquito carrying this virus.

The beautiful Arizona summers can bring a few dangers for Arizona retirees including sunburn, eye damage, dehydration, heat exhaustion and more. If you follow these top 3 super summer health tips for seniors, there's no reason you can't have an enjoyable and fun-filled summer -- no matter your age.

Summer is just around the corner and summertime energy demand can be higher with weather responsible for up to seventy percent of your electric bill according to Arizona Public Service (APS) department. In fact, cooling accounts for forty percent of the energy consumption in the average Phoenix home.

So if you’re looking to keep your monthly cooling bill costs from rivaling the heats triple digits, here are 5 quick tips to reduce your A/C bills this summer.

1. Replace disposable air filters at least once a month to save energy and increase the life of your cooling system.

2. Leave your air vents open to help improve the effectiveness of your cooling system.

3. Check windows for any hot air leaking in and seal them with caulk or weather stripping.

4. Add window treatments. Sunscreens can block as much as sixty to eighty percent of the sun’s heat from reaching the glass.

5. Install a programmable thermostat to save time and energy costs.

Be sure to implement one or more of these 5 tips to reduce your A/C bills this summer, and the heat will be the only thing that will have you sweating this summer! If you’re looking for more energy saving tips or if you’re looking to buy a home in an Arizona retirement community or sell your Sun City home, please contact me today!

Lo

oking for something fun to do this weekend? Why not enjoy the last spring concert at the Sun City Sun Bowl? This Sunday, May 6th at 7:00 pm Recreation Centers of Sun City hosts Chad Freeman and Redline at the Sun Bowl Amphitheater located at 10220 N 107th Ave, Sun City. Get your country goin’ on as they end the Sun Bowl season with one of the most talented and energetic bands in the west, Chad Freeman and Redline!

This group will get the crowd rockin’ for an evening full of highfalutin dancing fun! Chad Freeman and Redline burst onto the music scene in 2009 and quickly became one of the most recognized country/rock bands in the southwest. Combining their individual talents as well as passion for great music and showmanship, they have continued to grow throughout their tenure and have established themselves as a top performing band while performing at some of the larger venues and events not only in the Southwest, but across the nation as well. With regular performances in Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Colorado and Texas, word has spread that for great country/rock music, CFR is the band you want to see at the Sun Bowl.

Gourmet food vendors arrive one and a half hours prior to show time for your dining pleasure at the Sun Bowl. Best of all this concert is free for RCSC Cardholders and their escorted guests only. Please be prepared to show your Member of Privilege Card (with photo) as no key fobs accepted. Don’t forget to bring your lawn chair or blanket!

The Sun Bowl Amphiteathtre hosts numerous concerts, performances and other events geared towards the retirement communities of Sun City. If you’d like more information about upcoming events in Sun City or if you’re looking to sell or buy a home in an Arizona retirement community, please contact Sharon Mason today!

If you are looking for a new home, chances are you’re not finding many homes on the market. If you’re a seller, you have likely noticed the value of your home is rising — no matter what part of the country you live in.

According to the April 2018 RE/MAX National Housing Report, home prices continued to climb year-over-year for the twenty-fourth consecutive month in March, while home sales continued to decline for a fourth consecutive month, making it a seller’s market in most regions of the country.

“Homebuyers shouldn’t be discouraged by the record-breaking numbers — even with higher prices and closed transactions, this March marks the second-highest in sales in the history of the RE/MAX National Housing Report,” said RE/MAX CEO Adam Contos. “It’s more important than ever to work with an experienced RE/MAX agent who is invested and involved in their community. They are dialed into the nuances of a neighborhood, making your home search or sale easier and quicker.”

When the months supply of inventory falls below six months, it’s a seller’s market, and all 54 metro areas surveyed for the monthly housing reported under six months of inventory. “We also look at the Days on Market as another indicator of tight inventory and the national average stands at 60 days,” said Contos. “That’s four days less than a year ago and another March record-breaker.”

Of the fifty-four metro areas surveyed in March 2018, the overall average number of home sales increased +36.6 percent compared to February 2018 and decreased -5.3 percent compared to March 2017. In March 2018, the median of all fifty-four metro Median Sales Prices was $236,000, up +3.2 percent from February 2018 and up +4.9 percent from March 2017. The average Days on Market for homes sold in March 2018 was sixty, down two days from the average in February 2018, and down four days from the March 2017 average. Days on Market is the number of days between when a home is first listed in an MLS and a sales contract is signed.

To access a copy of the RE/MAX April 2018 National Housing Report, click here. If you’re an active adult or retiree ready to buy a home in an Arizona retirement community or sell your Sun City home, please contact Sharon Mason today!

Arizona spring weather is some of the most anticipated seasons of the year for many residents and out of town visitors. Everything from camping in Arizona to various outdoor festivals and events are available for everyone to enjoy valley-wide. But the rise of temperature also awakens the rise of something else; snake bites. In fact the spike in snake bites has become a rite of late spring, according to hospital officials at Banner University Medical Center Phoenix, the hospital in Maricopa County that specializes in treating snake bites.

Banner Hospital sees about fifty snake-bite patients a year, the most in the Southwest, according to Dr. Frank Lovecchio, co-medical director of Banner Poison and Drug Information Center. Last month the hospital cared for ten snake-bite patients in a single month. “And there could be more before the month's end,” Lovecchio stated, “because the number of snake-bite reports increases this time every year, as temperatures creep toward ninety degrees.”

"When snakes sense a little bit of heat and humidity, they come out," Lovecchio said. "The snakes are hibernating most of the year and now they are starting to come out. It’s important for Arizona residents to be aware of snakes this spring. Suggested tips include:

• If you come across a rattlesnake, observe its beauty from a distance and let the snake go on its way.
• From a coiled position, a rattlesnake can strike at a distance of about half to two-thirds of its body length, so you do not want to get too close.
• Rattlesnakes are most active in the evening and a night when they do most of their hunting. They are usually very active in the early spring after remaining inactive during the winter months.
• It's best not to hike in wilderness areas after dark. Carry a walking stick and keep it forward to let snakes know you are approaching their area.
• If you hear the "rattle," freeze. Look carefully to locate the rattlesnake and move slowly in the opposite direction.

If you happen to see a rattlesnake on your property, call a local agency that can help remove the reptile. If you are bitten by a rattlesnake get to an emergency room right away or call the national network of poison-control centers immediately at 800-222-1222 if you are quite a distance away. Stay safe this spring and please be aware of snakes!

As a native Arizonan and resident of the Arizona retirement communities I sell, I take pride in proudly celebrating professionalism and honesty as a full-service full-time Associate Broker for RE/MAX Professionals. I bring a strong combination of customer service, sales, market knowledge and marketing to benefit my clients. As a Top 20 REALTOR®, I follow the highest standards of customer service and ethics to conduct business on your behalf and have been doing so since 1994. When something needs to get done I do it. I do this so we have a smooth transaction and to ensure we have a good relationship, trust, and satisfaction. Here is just of the testimonials that one of my past clients had to share about his experience working with me:

“I would like to thank your broker Sharon Mason for the above and beyond services she provided for me on the sale of my condo. I have been a licensed Real Estate Broker since 1961 and am still active in the business myself, which gives me the expertise to recognize the outstanding services she provided. I would recommend her very highly to anyone needing assistance in the real estate field.” - Fred Schonewise

There are eleven wonderful retirement communities to choose from in the West Valley area and my office is located right in the center of them. So when you are ready to make your move, please contact Sharon Mason. I look forward to helping you find the Arizona retirement community and home of your dreams!

The first day of spring was yesterday and now that a beautiful new season is here it’s time to start spring cleaning. No matter how and when you decide to pull out that dust buster and clear those cobwebs, it pays to play it safe. Here are the top 5 safe spring cleaning tips for seniors.

1.) Clean up Clutter: Trips and falls are likely to happen when you accumulate too much. Reduce the risk by removing unnecessary and obstructive items from your regular walking path and place them in storage or donate them to loved ones who might have a need for them. Make maintaining a clear walkway in every room of your home a top priority.

2.) Check the lights: Fall prevention is a yearlong goal for older adults, and you’d be surprised how much bad lighting contributes to slips and trips. It’s especially difficult for active adults who may experience trouble with their vision. Be sure to check all light features throughout the house and replace any missing or burned out bulbs. Ample light allows you to move freely and safely without the risk of falling due to lack of light.

3.) Check the Medicine Cabinet: Holding on to expired prescription drugs can be detrimental to your health. Make sure to avoid potentially dangerous health hazards by safely disposing of expired medication. Be sure to store medications in a cool, dark, dry place like an airtight plastic container.

4.) Crank up the tunes: The older we get, the more imperative it is to stay active and healthy. As an Arizona retiree, you should never pass up an opportunity to get fit, and spring cleaning offers a way to really get your blood moving. Crank up the tunes and play your favorite songs while you clean to infuse some energy and fitness into your day to help power you through your spring chore list. Just don’t forget to stay hydrated and rest as needed.

5.) Call a friend: If the idea of cleaning your home from top to bottom seems like an overwhelming task, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Call friends or family members to help and turn a possible spring cleaning chore into a party. If there is a lot to do, maybe have friends help one day and family help the next. Or consider asking other neighbors in your active adult community if they’d like to create a “spring cleaning club” where everyone helps each other clean one home per week until everyone is reveling in spring cleaning bliss!

Looking for a great way to spend your time this spring? Consider volunteering! Over the past two decades we have seen a growing body of research that indicates volunteering provides individual health benefits in addition to social ones. This research, which is presented by CNCS in a report titled “The Health Benefits of Volunteering: A Review of Recent Research,” has established a strong relationship between volunteering and health: those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer.

Studies have also shown that older volunteers are the most likely to receive greater benefits from volunteering, whether because they are more likely to face higher incidence of illness or because volunteering provides them with physical and social activity and a sense of purpose at a time when their social roles are changing. Perhaps the first and biggest benefit people get from volunteering is the satisfaction of incorporating service into their lives and making a difference in their community and country.

The Friends of the Sun City Libraries need volunteers to work in three specific areas. A person is needed to be on call twice a month to pick up donated books from homes when the resident is unable to bring the materials to the Books Around the Corner store located in the Sun City Library at 16828 N 99th Ave. They also need a volunteer to maintain the Friends of the Sun City Libraries Facebook Page. Friends of the Library are non-profit, volunteer-run community groups that provide vital support to the libraries and Sun City community.

For more details and volunteering opportunities at Sun City Libraries contact Mary Anne McDonald at the bookstore, 602-651-2014 or visit suncitylibraryfriends.org. For more volunteering opportunities in Sun City or for more things to do for Arizona retirees and active adults in the Valley, please contact Sharon Mason today.

Ready to retire in 2018? You may want to consider making Arizona your retirement destination. According to the U.S. census, 15.4 percent of people living in Arizona are sixty-five years or older, a proportion slightly larger than the national average. It’s no surprise Arizona would be one of the top places to retire, especially since Arizona as a whole is one of the 10 most tax-friendly states for retirees, according to Kiplinger, a Washington, D.C.-based business and finance-advice publication.

Here are the 10 best places to retire in Arizona in 2018 according to a Niche.com, a U.S. census data website that helps you discover the neighborhoods that are right for you.

1.) Sun City
2.) Catalina Foothills
3.) Green Valley
4.) Sun City West
5.) Paradise Valley
6.) Oro Valley
7.) Fountain Hills
8.) Fortuna Foothills
9.) Catalina
10.) Carefree

Niche’s 10 best places to retire in Arizona in 2018 ranking takes into account key factors, such as weather, crime rates, residents sixty-five and older, housing costs, and access to amenities such as restaurants, golf courses, exercise facilities, and doctors, in an attempt to measure the appeal of an area for retirement. I

f you’d like to learn more about retiring in Arizona or if you’re looking to buy an Arizona retirement home, please contact Sharon Mason today!