WILTON — Franklin County’s second annual Senior Resource Fair, hosted by the Wilton Police Department, takes place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, June 18, at the Wilton Public Safety Building on Main Street.
“This is not just a Wilton event,” Wilton Police Chief Heidi Wilcox said. “We are only hosting. We want people from all over the county to come.”
The event will be held rain or shine.
There will be information about services available for seniors, and speakers will address senior issues. A free lunch will also be offered, including homemade pie.
The fair is open to everyone in the community who wants to learn more about local resources and services.
“Everyone has an older family member,” Wilcox said. “We think ‘Senior Fair’ and we think of our parent — but instead, come with them. It is about family.”
As a parent grows older, caregivers, and even people starting to age, need to begin thinking about what is available to help them stay independent as long as they can, she said.
Whether it is a program offered by SeniorsPlus, which provides someone to help a senior balance their checkbook and pay their bills, or elder checks provided by local law enforcement, the goal is help ensure seniors are safe and no one is taking advantage of them.
Seniors will often fail to report a potential scam because they may not feel that it is an emergency like a fire or accident, but senior fraud is one of the fastest-growing crimes, she said.
District Attorney Andrew Robinson is among the speakers who will discuss how seniors can protect their assets and avoid scams.
“Not only will senior scams be addressed but we want to ensure their personal safety,” Wilcox said.
Franklin County Sheriff Scott Nichols Sr. will speak about an elder check program in which law enforcement officers call on local seniors.
Police chiefs Jack Peck of Farmington and Richard Caton IV of Jay will join Wilcox and Nichols to greet seniors and provide opportunities to sign up for the program.
It is a Franklin County event, but anyone is welcome, Wilcox said.
Firetrucks will be moved from the station so tables can be set up and to allow wheelchair access, she said. Wilton police will provide hamburgers, and members of the Tyngtown Club are providing homemade pie, she said.
Pharmacist Rob Witt of Mt. Blue Drug pharmacy has volunteered check medicines taken by seniors to see if there’s any conflict, she said.
Wilcox will also accept any leftover medications for proper disposal.
Legal Services for the Elderly will provide information on power of attorney and living will documents, and will be available to answer legal questions.
SeniorsPlus will provide information on its services, and information about NorthStar’s Lifeline Program will also be available.
A representative from Franklin Savings Bank will discuss legal access to bank accounts, and the Healthy Community Coalition will provide free blood pressure checks, she said.
The Senior ResourceFair is being held by the community group Preventing, Recognizing and Responding to Abuse in At-Risk Populations. It was started in 2013 and members are committed to “bringing issues of elder abuse and the abuse of other at-risk populations, to the forefront of the conversations in our communities,” according to a news release.
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