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The TRIAD organization was developed in 1998 after AARP, the International Association of Police Chiefs and the National Sheriffs’ Association agreed it would take a cooperative effort to help prevent crimes involving the elderly.
So, for one year in 2012, focus groups met across Arizona to identify the issues these older adults and their caregivers are challenged by.
According to the Arizona State Plan on Aging, 2015-2018, the first issue is healthcare. More specifically, the access to services, affordable healthcare, dental, concerns about the cost of the care, medications and screenings.
In home care was the second issue the focus groups addressed, including the affordability of in-home care, the availability of caregivers, and the ability for seniors to live in their own homes.
The third issue was the need for transportation, the access to public and private transportation, the cost of those services, and routes that would cross city limits or county borders.
On the first Wednesday of every month, Oracle’s local TRIAD meets at the fire department to address some of these concerns. Members include the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office and the local police departments, the Pinal County Attorney’s Office and concerned citizens.
The local TRIAD offers reassurance calls every morning to seniors who request the service. TRIAD members also install “Home-Alone” kits that contain pendants which are worn and can be pushed to notify law enforcement of an emergency. Plus, TRIAD provides lock boxes in which the homeowner’s house key is stored. The boxes are only accessible by first responders in the event entry into a home is needed.
For more information on the resources available, the next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 7 at 3 p.m. at the Oracle Fire Department at 1475 W. American Avenue.
Additional committee members are welcome and for more information please contact Nancy Larsen at 520-866-6945 or nancy.larsen@pinalcountyaz.gov.
There are news or informational items frequently written by staff or submitted to the Copper Basin News, San Manuel Miner, Superior Sun, Pinal Nugget or Oracle Towne Crier for inclusion in our print or digital products. These items are not credited with an author.
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