Almost 100 seniors, law enforcement officers and senior providers gathered at Cragun's Resort Sept. 24-26 to focus on senior safety issues. Featured speakers at the Minnesota TRIAD conference included Ed Hutchison, director of traffic safety and TRIAD for the National Sheriffs' Association, and Trudy Gregorie, National Association of Triads board member and a crime victim services specialist. Several others shared senior safety information with the group.
TRIAD is seniors, law enforcement professionals and senior providers working together to enhance senior safety.
The first speaker of the conference was Libby Caulum, consumer outreach and community relations director for the Minnesota Department of Commerce. Caulum shared vital information on current scams and what to do if you have been a victim of a crime.
Following Caulum's speech, three break-out sessions - technology 101, in-home care services and citizen safety awareness training - were offered. Tim Richardson, Cass County MIS director, led the technology session and explained different options for cell phones, tablets, what the "cloud' is, safe ordering online and safe use of Facebook.
Kevin Stoffel is coordinator for Arrowhead Region Law Enforcement Training and he taught our seniors how to protect themselves and stressed that anything can be used as a weapon and you can defend yourself, no matter what your age.
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Representatives from Cass County Public Health, Senior LinkAge Line, ANGELS of McGregor and Aitkin County CARE led a panel discussion on in-home care services, focusing on how to keep senior citizens in their homes.
A TRIAD 101 session was also offered along with a panel discussion on best practices. Hutchison and five other TRIAD professionals led the best practices discussion, where what works well on a state and national level was shared.
Gregorie's presentation on domestic abuse in older adults was eye-opening for many. Information about the presentation can be found on www.nationaltriad.org .
Our last presentation was a panel discussion on emergency preparedness. County and state emergency management officials and an American Red Cross official led a session on how to prepare for emergencies.
For more information on TRIAD or to find a TRIAD program, contact Pauline Fahey, Minnesota TRIAD secretary, at 218-536-0899 or paulinefaheycc@gmail.com .
