Rosetown seniors invited to safety event on scooters, scams and fall prevention

EAGLE STAFF

An event this week will inform seniors about the rules of the road for mobility scooters and how to avoid getting robbed by scam artists.

The Age Friendly safety event happens Wednesday at the Rosetown seniors centre, 102 Centennial Drive, starting at 10 a.m.

Sessions also cover preventing falls, Lisa Carson’s business venture Mobility Assist 4U and Proactive Pathways for Older Adults, a Saskatchewan Health Authority program that guides people with various medical situations through the health system.

The organization offered a similar program two years ago, mainly focusing on scooter safety and rules of the road, said Carmen Ledding of Rosetown Age Friendly. Local RCMP also warned people about avoiding scams during that session.

“Older people who are very lonely are very vulnerable” to scammers, Ledding said. People can fall victim to them “if you’re not aware of the risks of tapping on links in your texts or e-mail,” she explained. “Often there’s a sense of urgency or fear factor behind them.”

Scammers also exploit lonely seniors through romance scams, engaging in long talks with them to gain their trust before “looking for money,” Ledding said.

“We are definitely aware of an increase” in such attempts in the region, she said, noting that “sometimes, it’s harder for people to be receptive to this information from loved ones or family members.

“Sometimes it’s great hearing it from the RCMP and other well-known authorities,” she said, hoping for a strong attendance by people living in seniors condos such as Lions Manor and McNab Place. Lunch will be served.

“I think it’ll be a really great community event,” Ledding said.