In its continuing effort to address the needs of Cape Ann seniors, the Gloucester Triad Council has invited area seniors to join community leaders at its monthly meeting at Rose Baker Senior Center on Thursday morning.

According to Gloucester Triad Council President Peter Jenner, the council was created to reduce criminal victimization, promote crime prevention and safety awareness, and serve the needs of the senior community.

"We're really excited about hosting this meeting," Gloucester Council on Aging Director Coral Grande said yesterday. "It's a way for community leaders to get together with the Triad board to get an update on the different programs Triad sponsors."

The public meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m.

Jenner said with the assistance of the Sheriff's Department and the District Attorney's Office, along with representatives from the Council on Aging, the Police and Fire departments, and the Housing Authority, the Gloucester Triad Council has started many successful programs over the past four or five years.

Made up of local senior citizens, the council introduced a number of initiatives, including the File of Life program, a folder containing an individual's medical information that can be easily accessed in an emergency; the Yellow Dot program, which indicates to emergency responders that the person's medical information can be found in the glove box; emergency cell phones, a house numbering program, grab-and-go bags, senior photo identification, talks on abuse of seniors and identity theft, and even mock trials.

"One of the things we're trying to do with this meeting is make sure seniors are aware of the programs we offer," Grande said. "We also hope to find out from our community leaders what they see as needs in our community, and from seniors, what kind of safety concerns they have."

Grande said scams, fraud and identity theft are high priorities on everyone's list.

"We want to beat these people at their own game and protect the seniors," Grande said. "It's not just a one-time thing, it's a continuing effort."

Grande said the entire City Council was invited to Thursday's meeting, as were state Sen. Bruce Tarr, state Rep. Anthony Verga, Congressman John Tierney and Mayor Carolyn Kirk.

Only Kirk had confirmed her intent to attend by yesterday afternoon.

Jenner said since Rockport, Manchester and Essex do not have local Triad councils, the Gloucester Triad Council allows seniors from those communities to take part in programs. However, representatives of the Essex County Sheriff's and District Attorney's offices joined Essex selectmen, police, firefighters and members of the Essex Council on Aging yesterday to sign an agreement establishing an Essex Triad chapter.

"We don't turn anybody away," Grande said. "Even some young people have gotten Files of Life."

The U.S. Sheriffs Association came up with the original concept for Triad, originally known as Seniors and Law Enforcement Working Together.

Jenner said the debut of a new initiative called Emergency Bag is not far off. He said Triad is hoping to get enough financing in the coming months to provide seniors with backpacks on wheels.

"Most seniors can't get a backpack on their backs or don't have the strength to carry it that way," Jenner said. "But it won't just be a bag, it will come with a list of things that they ought to have in the bag; so if an emergency happens, they can just grab the bag and run with it."

For more information about the meeting, the Gloucester Council on Aging, or the Gloucester Triad Council, call Grande at 978-281-9765.

Jonathan L'Ecuyer can be reached at jlecuyer@gloucestertimes.com.

If you go

r What: Gloucester Triad Council monthly meeting

r Where: Rose Baker Senior Center, 6 Manuel F. Lewis St., Gloucester

r When: Thursday at 10 a.m.

r Who: Everyone is invited to attend. Confirmed guests include Mayor Carolyn Kirk.

r Why: To update seniors on available programs and discuss issues and concerns important to area seniors.

r Cost: Free