Nobody wants to grow old, but does anybody really want to die young?
Marla Letizia, Health & Aging Expert, Health & Aging Expert
City Cast Las Vegas co-host Dayvid Figler shares some thoughts on the Aging Wellness Expo and his interview with Marla Letizia.
The Aging Wellness Expo returns to the South Point casino on March 15. Hosted by the Las Vegas Review-Journal, the annual event showcases health, medical, financial, and recreational services with the over-50 crowd in mind.
My mom used to love it. I remember she would pair up with a friend (and occasionally drag me along) to go booth to booth. She loved all the little freebies — the swag — and meeting new people who were her age or younger who, in her opinion, didn’t look or act as “youthful” as she envisioned herself. It was a mindset — a positive attitude affirming you’re only as old as you think, although titanium knee replacements aren’t to be ignored when the doctor says it’s time!
Marla Letizia knows this approach well. You wouldn’t believe it if you met her — she’s way more sparkly and energized than this City Cast Las Vegas host — but she just turned 72. A media professional and a lifelong Las Vegan, Marla is the driving force behind Nanny Bubby and the Long-Life Era and is leading a presentation at the expo on how to live a longer and better life. Here’s a preview.
What are the pros and cons of getting older in Las Vegas?
“The pros are easy. The weather’s good, there’s a lot of outdoor activity. There isn't the greatest public transportation, but people can Uber or taxi to the casinos where there's a lot of activity. But that’s also a problem with retiring in Las Vegas … There are a lot of people who've never been face-to-face with gaming like we have right here. It's ubiquitous. A lot of people come to town, have a wonderful nest egg, buy a house in Sun City, and suddenly they get hooked and they lose it all. It's a very dangerous thing for people.”
How do we reduce ageism in the Las Vegas community?
“We can start by talking about it openly. My husband had a bit of a heart issue. The doctor came in, looked at us and out of nowhere, started to talk to us like we were children. Like we had lost 25 IQ points since we were 45. I just thought to myself, ‘What the heck is going on here?’ I tried to assert myself as a mature, intelligent individual that understood what he was talking about, but it just didn't hit … Our doctors in their 40s and 50s — what they don’t realize is that in 10, 20 years, they’re going to be us.”
What are the keys to aging well in a place like Las Vegas?
“Finding a connection to community. Whatever church or synagogue that’s familiar to you is an easy entry. Get involved in any activities that have ever interested you.
“In the Long-Life Era community, it can be our five-day exercise challenge or anything that gets you moving — from e-bikes to weightlifting or ballroom dancing. Zumba, treadmills, walking dogs. If all else fails, join a pickleball team. In a place like Las Vegas, it’s easy to be isolated, and that’s the biggest barrier to having that healthy mindset. Finding a vibrant community in our city is the key to thriving as you age.”
