What Is TRIAD/SALT?
Programs
     "RUOK?"
     File of Life
     911 Flashing Light
     "What's Your Number"
     "Lost Elder"
How to Contact Us

What is Triad/SALT?
TRIAD is a national organization initially started with the National Sheriff’s Association, the International Chief’s of Police, and the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) in 1988. Currently 47 states are involved in this program. In Hampshire County, 13 communities are actively involved with TRIAD. TRIAD is a community policing initiative between seniors, law enforcement, and service providers to increase safety through education and crime prevention. Its goals are to:

Reduce criminal activity which targets seniors
Alleviate seniors’ fear of victimization, build confidence, and improve the quality of life
Enhance delivery of law enforcement services to older persons

SALT (Seniors and Law Enforcement Together) is TRIAD on the community level. In Amherst it is composed of elders, the Amherst Police Department, the Amherst Fire Department, the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Office, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office, the Amherst Senior Center Director, the Visiting Nurses Association (VNA), and home health and protective services personnel of other community and civic groups. The local SALT Council determines the needs of the community’s senior population as they relate to crime prevention and safety awareness, and coordinates activities to meet those needs.

Programs
We endeavor to find ways to minimize the difficulties seniors face in a changing world. Working together, we try to find ways to provide information and self-defense strategies for Amherst's aging population. To participate in any program, please contact the Senior Center, (413) 259-3060, during the hours of 8am - 4pm, Monday through Friday.

"RUOK?" (Free)
This is a computerized telephone reassurance program for at-risk seniors that assists elders or disabled individuals who may be home bound, live alone, or need the assurance of a daily phone call to feel safer and more secure.

A computer housed in the Amherst Police Station makes a daily call to subscribers at the same time each day (the time of call is directed by the subscriber). If the subscriber is "OK," he or she simply hangs up the telephone after hearing the pre-recorded message. If the subscriber does not answer, or if the telephone is busy, two or more attempts are made before the computer puts out an "ALERT REPORT." Either a contact person or an Amherst Police Officer is then sent to the home to do a "well-being" check on the subscriber.

To subscribe to "RUOK?", please contact Robert Joy at (413) 253-7059.

Please Complete these forms to enroll in the "RUOK" Program:
  RUOK Consent and Agreement Form (PDF - 324KB)
  RUOK Information Sheet  (PDF - 590KB)
  RUOK Interview Form  (PDF - 327KB)
 

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Imagine the following scenario. When Amherst Fire Department Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) arrive at the home of an Amherst senior citizen, they find the senior unconscious or unable to offer necessary information such as: Does the patient have an existing medical history? Is the senior taking any medications? Does the senior have any allergies? Who is their primary care physician? Who is their local contact person?

This frightening scenario is all too common for senior citizens and the EMT who treats the senior. That’s why the FILE OF LIFE, a mini-medical patient history posted on the outside of one’s refrigerator and/or carried in a wallet or purse, was developed and is being promoted by the Senior Center and TRIAD coordinators.

The card, which is kept in a red plastic pocket labeled FILE OF LIFE, lists: the patient’s name, emergency medical contacts, insurance policy and Social Security Numbers, health problems, medications, allergies, recent surgeries, religion, the primary care physician’s name, and designated Health Care Proxy.

The FILE OF LIFE’S Benefits are:

Faster help for Amherst citizens in emergencies
Corrective medical treatment can begin at once
Medical data is immediately available to the hospital staff
Peace of mind for the patient
Easy access to potentially life-saving information
Assurance that proper persons will be notified quickly
Renewed sense of community spirit

File of Life Cards are available at the Senior Center.

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911 Flashing Light (Free)
This is a special light bulb for your outside light that will flash intermittently when the switch controlling the light is pressed twice in succession. It can be used to more readily identify your residence to emergency personnel. (Limited number available.)

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"What's Your Number?" ($5.00 Fee)
This is a program, for the benefit of Amherst emergency personnel and residents themselves, to make a resident’s house number visible from the street. This program has evolved to include many communities in Western Massachusetts.

Amherst Emergency dispatchers, via E-911, have your address on a display screen when you telephone 911; however, valuable time is lost if emergency responder crews can’t determine which house on the street is yours. Large, easily visible street numbers that can be viewed from either direction help police, fire, and ambulance responders locate your house. Remember that in an emergency, every second counts, and minutes can save lives and property.

The Amherst SALT Council, together with the Amherst Fire and Police Departments, are installing upon application a two-sided sign that displays 4-inch highly reflective numbers attached to a 5-foot high metal stake, which will be installed near your driveway/walkway, where it will be visible from the street. There is a nominal charge ($5.00) to help cover expenses and keep the program going. Additional voluntary contributions are greatly appreciated.

Note: Massachusetts General Laws require that every building (residence or business) in the Commonwealth be posted with a street address. This includes buildings under construction. Street numbers must conform as follows:

Minimum of 3" in height (numerals only, no script).

Contrasting color to background.

Be visible from the street (from either direction).

Homes with long or common driveways should display their numbers at the end of the driveway in a visible manner (e.g., on the mailbox or on a post) in addition to posting the number on the house.

When posting numbers on mailboxes or posts please do so on BOTH of sides the box or post; crews may be responding from either direction!

Print and Complete the What's Your Number Information and Application Form  (PDF - 370KB) to be enrolled in the "What's Your Number?" program.

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Lost Elder
This program is designed to assist any Amherst elder who is easily confused and may become disoriented. The SALT Council and the Amherst Police Department can, with the help of the caretaker of a person, register the participant and take his or her picture (head and shoulder photo). This registration and picture are kept confidential and placed on record with the Police Department. For the participant who wanders, information is readily available to facilitate care and return to his or her place of residence.

The Lost Elder program may also be used in conjunction with the Alzheimer's Association's "Safe Return" program, which assists in the identification and safe, timely return of those individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias who wander and become lost.

Find out more about Safe Return.

How to Contact Us
Amherst SALT Council:
    Senior Center
    Bangs Community Center
    70 Boltwood Walk
    Amherst, MA 01002
    (413) 259-3060

Hampshire County TRIAD:
    Triad Program Coordinator
    Office of District Attorney Elizabeth D. Scheibel
    One Gleason Plaza
    Northampton, MA 01060
    (413) 586-9225