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Senior Safety Fair Slated for Saturday

From staff reports

A first time event is working to educate senior citizens on safety issues facing them in their golden years.

Scott County TRIAD is hosting the first-ever Senior Safety Fair Saturday, May 20, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Scott County Career and Technical Center, located at 150 Broadwater Avenue, Gate City.

This event is open to all local residents who are over 55, care for someone who is 55 or older or are concerned about issues confronting their neighbors.

Information will be provided on a wide variety of topics including how to avoid scams and fraud, prepare for a disaster, care for someone with Alzheimer’s and access programs designed to help with medical or physical issues.

You are invited to find out about resources located in the community such as the Gate City Police Department, USDA Rural Development Office, the American Red Cross, the Alzheimer’s Association, Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Scott County Department of Social Services, Scott County Sheriff’s Office and Rural Areas Development Association, Inc. (RADA).

Beginning with registration at 9 a.m. the event kick-offs with a welcome at 9:30 a.m. The morning events include: 9:45 a.m. - Terry Kendall speaking on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association; 10:15 a.m. – Allen Slagle talking about disaster preparedness; 10:45 a.m. – break to visit vendor booths; 11 a.m. – demonstration by Scott County Fire Fighters Association and 11:45 a.m. – first lunch.

The Appalachian Dream Spinners are performing during the lunch periods.

Afternoon events are: 12:25 p.m. – second lunch; 1 p.m. – information about how to prevent slips, trips and falls; 1:30 p.m. – Tim Addington, Scott County E-911 Coordinator and David Gilliam of the Scott County Lifesaving Crew discuss what to do before emergency help arrives; 2 p.m. – Amy Lane of the Scott County Sheriff’s Office and Luanne McMurray of the Scott County Department of Social Services will talk about domestic violence issues; 2:30 p.m. – Terry Sivert of the Scott County Sheriff’s Office presents a K-9 demonstration and 3 p.m. – announcement of door prize drawings.

Lunch is provided free of charge if registered by 10:30 a.m.

The Triad partnership in Virginia, a program through the Office of the Attorney General, protects the growing elderly population. With the support of local sheriffs, police chiefs, AARP and other community services groups Triad works to keep older Virginians informed of their rights.

A major purpose of Triad is to develop, expand and implement effective crime prevention and safety programs for older Virginians.

Triad works at the local level to improve the quality of life for seniors by providing an active exchange of information between local law enforcement and seniors.

Triad was established in 1988 when three national organizations agreed that the elderly could better be protected by cooperative efforts. The relationship was cemented when the organizations - the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP), and the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA) - signed a cooperative agreement.

The Scott County SALT Council, which stands for "Seniors And Law enforcement working Together,” is the centerpiece of TRIAD’s goal and mission. The Scott council meets on the third Monday of each month at noon in the community room at the Scott County Community Services Building.

Members of the Scott County SALT Council, which includes representatives from law enforcement, other county agencies and members chosen by the Scott County Board of Supervisors, are J.P. Bledsoe, Jason Cox, Jeff Brickey, Tim Addington, Melissa Farmer, Felisha McNabb, Cindy Mefford, Irma Snodgrass, Lisa Overbey, Delilah Long, David Gilliam, Angie Edwards McCall, Paul Blessing, Jim Bowlin, Rosie Calhoun, Margaret Hickam, Brenda Parks, John Sheppard and Karen Davidson.

The safety fair is sponsored by the Scott County TRIAD and is supported by a grant from the Virginia Office of the Attorney General.

For more information, call RADA at 386-6441.

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