WILTON — Police detectives, the county sheriff and district attorney joined a variety of organizations to share information with seniors and their families Thursday during the second annual Franklin County Senior Resource Fair.
Held at the Wilton Public Safety Building, the fire trucks left the building so tables of information could be set up along with tables for participants to enjoy a free barbecue and time for visiting.
“There is a lot of very helpful information available,” Jack Roth of Wilton said as he talked with pharmacist Rob Witt from Mt. Blue Drug in Farmington. “They’ve done an excellent job. There is a good turnout. It is so important to have this.”
An Elder Check Program started by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office has been a blessing, Sheriff Scott Nichols told the large gathering. It has expanded to include Farmington and Wilton officers who make regular checks on seniors living in the area.
Sometimes they need a path shoveled or some wood cut. Sometimes they need more services, he said of one resident that officers found who wasn’t able to take care of or bath herself. The police check brought in services provided by others, some right here, he said as he pointed to several organizations set up and ready to answer questions about seniors.
But for the most part, the officers, ones selected who have a rapport with seniors, just chat with the person and check to make sure they are okay on their own, he said. Sometimes the visits take place once a week, sometimes twice a month. It is up to the senior, he added.
People 70 and over can sign up by calling the sheriff’s office at 778-2680.
Farmington Police Detective Marc Bowering and Jay Police Detective Michael Mejia spoke to identity theft and ways to avoid scams that can involve local seniors.
A few years ago a local senior bought a boat on Ebay, Bowering said. It was sold out of Canada. They paid for it and were suppose to go to the border to collect it. No one was there and they were out their money, he said. Bowering went on to encourage seniors to go through PayPal to purchase things on the internet.
Foreign lottery scams, phishing and the latest scam involving a fraudulent call from the IRS were discussed by the detectives before Bowering suggested seniors obtain and use a free credit report application from the police department. As Mainers you are entitled to three free checks a year, he said.
Representatives from SeniorsPlus, Legal Services for the Elderly and District Attorney Andy Robinson also spoke to the seniors about the services they provide.
Mt. Blue Drug pharmacist Rob Witt talked with seniors about their medications and provided a pill organizer to help them remember whether they had taken their medication.
Several people have stopped to ask questions about their medication and side effects, Witt said.
A barbecue lunch was provided with homemade pie and desserts provided by the Tyngtown Club. Local law enforcement officers waited on tables to help seniors.
The day was planned by a community group called Preventing, Recognizing and Responding to Abuse in At-Risk Populations or PRRAAP.
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