Canton Kicks Off Senior Safety Initiative

While the town, police department and community groups have many programs to help Canton seniors, Tuesday morning marked the official beginning of an effort to coordinate and expand those efforts.

The program is called Canton Triad for Senior Safety and involves the Canton Police Department, senior and social services, the business community and others.

Since late last year a local SALT (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) committee and social services intern Ashley Criniti have worked to bring the program to Canton. Tuesday was its official kick-off, which included guest speakers, a candle-lighting ceremony, a charter agreement, a breakfast and entertainment from Canton High School musical groups. 

Speakers included police chief Christopher Arciero, senior and social services coordinator Claire Cote  who helped bring the triad program to town.

First selectman Richard Barlow read a proclamation and several officials; SALT committee members and business leaders signed a triad charter agreement.

Bands from Canton High School entertained at the beginning and end of the event.

The day also featured remarks from state attorney George Jepsen.  

Jepsen gave an overview of his office and then spoke to the urgency of senior safety, especially with privacy. While door-to-door scams still exist, a larger danger is out of the country criminals who set elaborate online criminal activity.

“It’s very clear that there are too many sophisticated scam artists out there,” he said. 

He urged seniors to be aware of the online scam, never give out personal information unless 100 percent certain of the recipients and to never feel pressured to give out information.

As part of the morning’s activities, Angela DeLeon of People’s United Bank, introduced the Yellow Dot Program.

It consists of a yellow sticker on the rear passenger’s side windshield and a corresponding information sheet in the glove compartment.

The sheet, written in pencil, contains a picture of the patient, pertinent medical conditions, allergies, nickname, native language, blood type, caregiver information and more for anyone over age 60.

The program will give first responders valuable medical information, which can often be a life saver, DeLeon said. 

DeLeon did caution seniors in attendance to make sure their information sheet was updated every time they visited a physician.

“If you don’t take it to the doctor and you don’t update it, you’re under a false sense of security,” she said.

The town also offers the vial of life program, which provides similar information at seniors' residences. 

Police Chief Christopher Arciero said the program would be a great way to formalize and coordinate existing programs as well as launch new ones. Police and social services are an important part of it, he added.

“Senior safety is one of those important pillars of public safety,” Arciero said.

Those interested in the Yellow Dot or Vial of Life programs can contact senior and social services at (860) 693-5811 x165.