Public Safety Profile

Serving Our Seniors Day Coming Soon

February 26, 2014

3:35 PM

For one day each year in March, older adults, their caregivers and crime prevention professionals come together to talk about the strategies and resources for older adults to enjoy a safe, healthy environment during this phase of life.

Serving Our Seniors (SOS) Day, now in its eighth year, takes place Saturday, March 29 from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. at Westerville South High School.

Because older adults are often targets for fraud and crime, the Westerville Division of Police has designed a program to cover topics including insurance fraud and scams, identity theft protection, personal safety and security solutions, caregiving aid, and estate planning.

“We’ve assembled teams and experts to cover everything from crime prevention to Internet safety,” said Preston Tartt, Crime Prevention Specialist with the Westerville Division of Police. “This is an annual tradition in our agency to connect directly with the older adults in our community and provide advice and resources so we can reduce their risks of being targeted for any number of scams out there.”

Did you know?	Prevention strategy
Studies indicate that older adults believe they will sooner or later become victims of crime, with some even going as far as altering their lifestyles out of fear of victimization.	Education and information specific to the older adult population on what resources they have to take care of themselves and combat crimes reduce the fear of crime.
According to the National Institute of Justice, more than 5 percent of older adults reported some form of financial exploitation in 2009. Actual numbers are believed to be higher, due to fear and embarrassment associated with reporting victimization.	Exhibitors such as the Better Business Bureau, Ohio Department of Insurance and Ohio Attorney General’s office will be on hand to speak with older adults on the latest scams and how to protect themselves from those thieves and criminals who would exploit them.
Per mile traveled, fatal crash rates increase starting at age 75 and increase notably after age 80. This is largely due to increased susceptibility to injury and medical complications among older drivers rather than an increased tendency to get into crashes. (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)	The Central Ohio Area on Aging will present a special session on driving for older adults.
Studies have shown that higher levels of physical activity are directly correlated to alertness and health in older adult populations. And prescription medication is now the leading cause of death when it comes to drug overdoses.	A diverse group of health care professionals and public agencies will be available to give advice and educate seniors on staying safe and active.

If you believe you have been the victim of identity theft, fraud or another crime, please contact the Westerville Division of Police at 614-882-7444. For more information, visit www.westerville.org/police.

Programs for Older Adults

In addition to SOS Day, the City of Westerville also offers other public safety programs for residents.

Safe Call: Safe Call is a daily telephone check-in service for homebound, handicapped or elderly residents, operated by the Westerville Emergency Communications Division. A free service to the residents of Westerville and Blendon Township, Safe Call initiates a computer-generated phone call to your home every day at a set time. If the call is unanswered, Safe Call will automatically call a designated person who has a house key. If the key holder does not answer, Westerville Police and Fire will be dispatched to the home. For more information or to sign up, please call 614-901-6790.