Senior Citizens – New Canaan Answer Book

Who is the municipal agent for the elderly?

Melba Neville, R.N., holds this position. She serves as a liaison with the Commission on Aging and other resources and programs serving the elderly. She is also the town’s senior outreach worker. Her office is at Vine Cottage, call 594-3077. 

What special housing is available for the elderly? 

Canaan Parish/Mill Apartments/Millport Apartments are subsidized housing units and include 20 one-bedroom apartments for the elderly or handicapped. Call Phoenix Management at 324-2154, ext. 16. 

Though not limited to seniors, the Schoolhouse Apartments on South Avenue is an affordable housing complex with 40 single- and two-room units for functionally independent residents. Call 972-0020. 

Seniors may also call 211 or go on the Infoline Web site at infoline.org. Another Web site, CTHousingSearch.org lists accessible, affordable, and market rate rental housing in Connecticut. 

Is there senior housing for independent living?

The New Canaan Inn is a retirement community for independent living at 73 Oenoke Ridge. Situated in a lovely, wooded neighborhood, the Inn offers private rental apartments, three meals daily, a 24-hour response system, housekeeping, and an award-winning resident activities program. It is an affiliate of Waveny Care Center. For information, call 966-1272 or visit waveny.org. 

Is there an assisted living facility?

The Village at Waveny Care Center, 3 Farm Road, is an award-winning assisted living residence with 52 apartments for people with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of memory loss. It provides one of the most advanced therapeutic environments in the world and has a licensed nurse, certified nursing assistants and home health aides on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All meals, social, recreational, and spiritual activities are included. Call 594-5200 for more information or visit waveny.org. 

What is "Staying Put in New Canaan?"

Staying Put in New Canaan is a non-profit organization designed to help residents over age 50 enjoy safer, healthier and more independent lives in their homes. Staying Put began offering services in January 2008. Through partnerships with proven providers of services, they are able to offer members preferred access to social and cultural activities, household and maintenance services as well as transportation and shopping assistance, among other services. Call 966-7762/stayingputnc.org.

What types of clubs or social groups are there for the elderly? 

The Senior Center meets at Lapham Community Center in Waveny Park. Seniors are welcome to participate in the many adult education classes as well as day trips, special interest groups, films, lectures, and more. Lunch ($3) is served at noon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays; for reservations, call 594-3620. Wednesdays is the traditional Senior Center day featuring a morning crafts workshop and discussion group followed by lunch and a program, usually a lecture, concert, party or movie. All classes and activities are outlined on the center’s Web site at laphamcenter.org, and in the newsletter, which is mailed six times a year. Golden Nuggets, published twice a year by the Senior Center, offers timely information on health, finance, recreation, entitlements, legal issues, and more. To get on the mailing list for either publication, call 594-3620. 

The Senior Men’s Club offers a variety of activities to men 55 and older, including golf outings, organized hikes and walks, day trips, bridge, and a Friday morning speaker’s program. Meetings take place Fridays at 10, in Morrill Hall at St. Mark’s Church on Oenoke Ridge. For information, visit online at smcnc.org. 

The Darien-New Canaan AARP chapter is very active, offering a number of social events. The group meets at the Darien Senior Center. Guests are welcome. For information, call Ron Heinbaugh at 655-0538. 

Does the town have Meals on Wheels? 

Two nutritious meals are delivered five days a week to people of all ages who are unable to shop or cook for themselves. These meals are prepared by the kitchen staff of Waveny Care Center and are delivered by volunteers. For more information, call 594-5318. 

What is RUOK? 

This is a free service of daily phone calls. At the same time each morning — between 8 and 10 — participating seniors receive a call to check on their well-being. For information, call RUOK at 966-1449. 

Does anyone offer adult day care?

The Adult Day Program at Waveny Care Center, 3 Farm Road, is dedicated to improving the quality of life for disabled or frail older adults who are still living at home, but who may require personal assistance throughout the day and/or more social interaction. If offers flexible hours and days. Call 594-5200 or visit waveny.org. 

Patchworks Adult Day Services (276-4992) is a program of Stamford Hospital at 26 Palmers Hill Road, Stamford. It provides individualized services for adults with physical, social, cognitive or emotional limitations, including memory loss. Transportation, breakfast, and lunch are provided Monday through Saturday. 

Is there a Geriatric Evaluation Clinic?

The Brown Geriatric Evaluation Clinic at Waveny Care Center, 3 Farm Road, has a board-certified geriatrician to examine the cognitive, emotional, social, medical and functional status of an older adult. The information gained from the assessment can be used to make the most informed decisions about the appropriateness of community services and housing options for the older adult. Call 594-5200 or visit waveny.org. 

Who can assist with managing care for seniors?

Waveny Care Center’s Geriatric Care Management team helps family members and friends find solutions to maintain an older adult at their maximum level of independent function while having them remain safely in their home for as long as possible. For information, call 594-5200 or visit waveny.org. 

What transportation services are available to the elderly? 

The Getabout van (972-RIDE) offers transportation services in town and to Norwalk to the elderly and handicapped. The van runs Monday through Friday, 7:30 to 4, and Saturday mornings. A voluntary contribution of $3 is requested. 

Norwalk Transit offers Town-to-Town, a regional door-to-door service available for any type of trip, within New Canaan, Wilton, Westport and Norwalk. Before using the service, riders must complete the ADA Eligibility Certification Request form. Call 299-5160 for details. 

An American Red Cross program enables New Canaan residents to keep non-emergency medical, dental, and therapy appointments in the area. The service is offered Monday through Friday from 9 to 4; 48 hours notice is required. Call 966-1663. 

What other services are available to the elderly?

New Canaan Human Services (594-3076) offers counseling and information and referral services, and assists with applications for Conn-PACE, the state prescription medicine program, fuel programs, and Medicare insurance. The office also has a brochure called Services for Older Adults in New Canaan. A listing can also be found on the department’s Web site at newcanaan.info. 

Volunteers at Norwalk Hospital will assist with filing papers for Medicare coverage. Call 852-3325. 

Volunteers at the New Canaan Library assist taxpayers with income tax returns in late winter and early spring. Appointments required; call 594-5003. 

Seniors may obtain information at Lapham Community Center regarding income tax assistance, health insurance, and other senior entitlements. Call 594-3620. 

The Red Cross offers the Friendly Shopper program, in which young people volunteer to help with shopping and other errands. Call 966-1663. 

The New Canaan Library offers the Books by Mail service to homebound library patrons. Call 594-5000 for information. 

Family Centers Inc. offers Friendly Connections and Friendly Callers, in which volunteers keep in touch with homebound elderly, and a telephone senior support group. Call 661-8841. There is also a service called Home Care Plus, for chores and minor repairs. Call 831-2901. 

Lifeline is a small button you wear. Pressing it will send a call for help, day or night. Call 853-3116. 

Jewish Family Service offers counseling, Friendly Visiting, home companions (paid), outreach to the home bound, and advocacy. Call 921-4161 or 454-4992. 

For health-related services, see the Health section of the Answer Book.