I have a 2000 Sel with about 74k miles on it and the steering is very hard, what do I do so that its easier to turn the wheel.

 

Have you checked your power steering fluid level? Do you hear any noises when you turn the wheel?

 

Does it have excessive/high effort at all speeds? (not just low RPM) and in both steering directions 'equally'.. Vibration/chatter?

Fluid is full,, no leaks,, 'most' times the pump is the cause for high effort.. Any current 'abnormal' pump whirring noise/whine, or has the pump been run dry (system leaks) at any time/s prior to the high effort condition? Could be the power rack too with an internal leak, and a pump flow/pressure test would verify a good/bad pump prior to suspecting the rack.. Without testing its just a guess..
But the vintage and mileage you indicate, I'd first suspect a pump failure for high effort.. Pump failures are ‘generally’ more common than rack issues..