Hampden County TRIAD, started by Sheriff Nick Cocchi in 2021, is a safety initiative that focuses on empowering, educating and improving the lives, safety, security, and peace of mind of the senior community in Western Massachusetts.
While the overall goal of the TRIAD Program for Seniors is to assist in the upkeep of a safe and healthy life for the seniors of Hampden County, there are many other individual goals of the program as well, including reducing criminal activity that targets the senior community; providing education and services that will build confidence and improve the quality of life; and enhancing trust and safety with law enforcement by ensuring access to services and alleviating fear of victimization among seniors.
TRIAD projects include:
- Project Lifesaver – A tracking system for individuals with cognitive conditions who are at risk of wandering. Eligibility includes caring for a loved one of any age with a cognitive condition that can lead to wandering, and costs are around $400 to get started, with a $10-a-month subsequent charge, although some grant assistance may be
available. - Hampden County Life Files – A magnetic sleeve with an information card listing all medications a person uses and any special health conditions they may have, which is posted on the refrigerator for first responders in an emergency.
- “Are You Ok?” – A daily telephone reassurance program to check on the well-being of seniors who live alone in Hampden County.
- Is Your Number Up? – A house number visibility initiative that assists Police, Fire and EMS in their efforts to respond quickly to 9-1-1 calls.
- Speaker Series – Trained TRIAD deputies meet with senior groups to discuss issues such as identity theft, domestic violence & scams targeting seniors.
- Y.E.S. – Youth Empowering Seniors is an education initiative to assist older adults in learning how to use technology.
- Senior Home Safety Inspection – Certified inspector completes 240-point safety and accessibility assessment in and around home.
- Sand for Seniors – A seasonal effort to get buckets of sand to our senior
community to limit the chances of a fall during the cold, often icy winter
months in New England.
Aside from Project Lifesaver, all of TRIAD’s services are provided free of charge. All services can be accessed by calling the HCSO TRIAD Division at (413) 858-0060.