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Natick COA Safety Workgroup to produce scams poster, prioritize safe-driving outreach and address dementia-targeted fraud
Summary
At its May 21 meeting the Town of Natick Council on Aging Board Safety Workgroup agreed to develop a townwide scams information poster, prioritize safe-driving education for seniors (with outreach from the Registry of Motor Vehicles), address pedestrian safety amid increased motorized bike use, and explore fraud risks for people with dementia ahead of a late‑June Dementia Friendly kickoff.
The Town of Natick Council on Aging (COA) Board Safety Workgroup met May 21, 2026, and agreed to pursue several outreach and education projects aimed at protecting older residents from scams, traffic risks and fraud.
James Fitzgerald, COA Safety Workgroup member, and committee members Laura Forker and Mal Sockol discussed recent outreach to the Natick Police about a scam‑prevention presentation and reported that the police chief had responded positively; the workgroup said it has not yet been asked to help run any public presentations.
The group approved developing an informational poster about common scams and the appropriate contacts for residents who suspect they have been targeted, with the intent to distribute copies around town. Committee members also said they will collect related broadcast resources — including public‑broadcast (PBS) material and a recent 60 Minutes segment — in a shared Google Drive folder for use in future outreach.
Looking ahead to the upcoming fiscal year, the workgroup proposed focusing on safe driving for older adults, citing the amount of construction in Natick, including work near the 9/27 interchange. Members discussed inviting the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) to present driver‑safety information, noting the RMV has provided such sessions in the past.
The workgroup also raised concerns about pedestrian and trail safety amid a proliferation of motorized bicycles and conventional bikes. Members specifically mentioned the Cochituate Rail Trail and Coolidge Hill as areas where walkers and hikers may be exposed to greater risk.
Recognizing the vulnerability of people living with dementia, the committee agreed to explore fraud targeted at that population in more detail and to align work on that topic with the Dementia Friendly initiative planned to begin at the end of June.
The workgroup scheduled its next meeting to take place on Zoom on the Friday before the next Council on Aging Board meeting; the minutes do not specify the calendar date for that Friday. The May 21 session lasted about 30 minutes and was adjourned at 3:00 PM.
No public comments were received during the meeting.
