Hampden County Sheriff’s Office deputy rescues elderly Holyoke woman after wandering from home Emma McCorkindale — WWLP

A Hampden County Sheriff’s Office deputy helped to bring an elderly woman with Dementia back home safely after wandering off on Saturday morning.

HOLYOKE, Mass. (WWLP) – A Hampden County Sheriff’s Office deputy helped to bring an elderly woman with Dementia back home safely after wandering off on Saturday morning.

According to the Hampden County Sheriff’s Office, a call came into the TRIAD hotline around 9:30 a.m. from the son of a client stating that his elderly mother who is battling Dementia wandered from home.

Captain Jeffrey Anger, who was working a detail near the Ashley Reservoir, started to look for her as the HCSO Search and Rescue Team was being deployed. Anger started driving toward the area of Hillside Avenue where she had reportedly wandered off from. Anger was able to locate the woman after a short search at around 10:10 a.m., safely got her into the cruiser, and brought her home.

“Bringing a situation with the potential to end tragically to a positive outcome is exactly why we
started the TRIAD Program,” said Sheriff Nick Cocchi. “I’m proud of Capt. Anger and the whole
Search and Rescue Team for their quick actions in this incident. When I launched the TRIAD
Division to help seniors and brought Project Lifesaver to Hampden County, it was to assist
seniors wherever they needed a hand. When families care for a loved one with a cognitive
condition who is at risk of wandering, it can be incredibly stressful. Hopefully, this program
alleviates some of that stress.”

The Hampden County TRIAD was started by Sheriff Cocchi in 2021 and is a safety initiative that focuses on empowering, educating, and improving the lives, safety, security, and peace of mind of the senior community in western Massachusetts.

Project Lifesaver is now accepting applications for new clients. For more information, call 413-858-0060.

…Read More