Health – New Canaan Answer Book

How can I find a good doctor for my family? 

Stamford Health System’s Web site (stamhealth.org) provides a complete list of physicians affiliated with The Stamford Hospital, available under the heading Find A Physician. Health Call at 1-877-233-9355 offers referrals and health information services. 

You may also call Norwalk Hospital’s Physician Referral Service at 866-642-9355 or go online to norwalkhosp.org and click on Physician Directory. 

Do any doctors take walk-in patients? 

For immediate care there is Norwalk’s Primary Medical Care (849-7777/pmcc-ohc.com) at 345 Main Avenue, open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday. Call for hours on holidays. 

The Darien Immediate Medical Care Center (656-3900) is at 484 Post Road. It is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays, and 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and holidays. 

The Tully Health Center (353-2222) at 32 Strawberry Hill Court in Stamford, is open for non-life-threatening illness and injury from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to  6 p.m. Closed Sunday. Delivery is available for a fee. 

What does the town health department do? 

The New Canaan Health Department (594-3037) works to control preventable diseases through education, inspections, and enforcement of federal, state, and local codes. It issues permits for septic systems and private water supplies and maintains files on private and public septic systems. The department also works with the human services department on housing issues, and with the animal control officer on animals suspected of carrying diseases like rabies or West Nile virus. The department inspects refuse and sewage pumps, daycare centers, and food service establishments. 

The department also offers health information on blood lead levels in children, mosquito- and tick-borne diseases, flu clinics, mammography, and smoking cessation. 

New Canaan’s director of health is Richard P. Werner. Dr. David M. Reed is the medical director and assistant director of health. The director of environmental health is A. Briggs Geddis. The office is at Irwin Park, 848 Weed Street. 

How can I arrange for home care? 

New Canaan’s Human Services office (594-3076) offers visits by a nurse and initial assessments for home care services. 

Nursing & Home Care offers skilled nurses; home health aides; physical, occupational and speech therapists; live-in help; shoppers; dietitians; companions; peer counselors; homemakers; medical social workers; a pre-hospice team; case managers; and caregivers providing respite services. In addition, Nursing & Home Care provides wellness programs, such as health screenings, immunization programs and health education programs. For more information, call 762-8958 or 1-800-898-HOME or visit visitingnurse.net. 

Visiting Nurse Services of Connecticut offers skilled nursing; occupational, physical, and speech therapy; medical social work and home health aides as well as many specialty services. Call 838-8621 or visit vnsct.com. 

Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Southwestern Connecticut (VNHC) offers skilled nursing; physical, occupational, and speech therapy; pediatric home care; home health aides; and other services. Call 276-3000 or visit vnhcsw.org. 

Does anyone help seniors live independently at home?

Staying Put in New Canaan (966-7762/stayingputnc.org) helps people over 50 live full, independent lives at home by offering access to social and exercise activities, household and transportation services, and help with shopping. The nonprofit organization also helps arrange home health care services and assisted living at home. 

Many of the visiting nurse associations listed above offer aides to assist with household chores. Nursing & Home Care provides Assisted Living at Home for those who want help maintaining their independence at home. Services include help with cleaning, dressing, shopping, bathing and companionship. For more information, call 762-8958 or 1-800-898-HOME or visit visitingnurse.net. 

Family & Children’s Agency offers homemakers and a home chore service. Call 855-8765. 

Does New Canaan have a nursing home?

Waveny Care Center, 3 Farm Road, offers short- or long-term skilled nursing care and rehabilitation therapy to older adults and others affected by illness or injury. There is also a special long-term skilled nursing care unit for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. The Village at Waveny Care Center also offers assisted living for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory loss. Waveny Care Center is incorporated as a non-profit charitable organization. For information, call 594-5200 or go online to waveny.org. 

The William & Sally Tandet Center for Continuing Care, 146 West Broad Street, Stamford, is a 130-bed, non-profit skilled nursing and rehabilitation facility for individuals who have been disabled by an acute illness or are experiencing health problems associated with aging. There is also an Alzheimer’s/dementia program. For information, call 323-2323. 

Darien Health Care Center (655-7727), 599 Boston Post Road, provides skilled nursing and rehabilitation therapy for long- and short-term residents. The 120-bed, for-profit facility delivers a range of professional services, including: dementia services; wound care; skilled nursing for complex medical conditions; comprehensive physical; occupational and speech therapy, recreational services; social services; and gerispychiatric services. 

Quality-related information on nursing homes is available online at medicare.gov. 

Does any organization offer respite care?

Both Waveny Care Center and The Village at Waveny Care Center offer respite stays to give caregivers the necessary time they need to rejuvenate, travel, etc. Waveny will help assess the level of care (skilled nursing or assisted living) you need. Call 594-5200 or visit waveny.org. 

The Connecticut Statewide Respite Care Program operates in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association Chapters of Connecticut and the Connecticut Area Agencies on Aging. Eligible families may apply for daytime or overnight respite care services. Call the Area Agencies on Aging at 1-800-994-9422. 

Are there any support groups for caregivers?

The Center for Hope in Darien offers a support group for people caring for patients with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia. Call 655-4693. 

Catholic Family Services offers a caregivers support group. Call 323-1105. 

Friendly Connections has a phone group for caregivers on Mondays at 11. Call 656-1128 for details. 

Who provides hospice services to residents? 

Hospice is a community-based program that focuses on pain relief, symptom control and comfort for terminally ill patients, allowing them to be cared for where they are most comfortable, usually at home. There are several services to choose from. 

Mid-Fairfield Hospice, a partner of Nursing & Home Care, helps individuals and their families cope with terminal illnesses in the comfort and privacy of their own homes. Services include managing pain and symptoms to provide comfort; helping with personal care such as bathing, dressing and meal preparation; arranging for medical equipment and nutritional guidance; respite support for caregivers; counseling and companionship; spiritual guidance and grief support services. Call 762-8958 or 1-800-898-HOME or visit visitingnurse.net. 

Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Southwestern Connecticut offers hospice and palliative care in your home, an assisted living facility, nursing home, hospital, or at the Richard L. Rosenthal Hospice Residence on the Stamford Hospital campus, which provides an assisted living environment for people who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness. For more information, call 276-4000 or visit online at vnhcsw.org. 

Waveny Care Center offers on-site hospice care. Call 594-5200 or visit waveny.org. 

VNS of Connecticut’s Hospice at Home care is focused on improving the patient’s quality of life and addresses the physical, social, psychological and spiritual needs of patient and family. Call 838-8621 or visit vnsct.com. 

Does anyone help the handicapped?

New Canaan Human Services can direct people to many resources. Call 594-3076. 

The Western Connecticut Association for Human Rights (WeCAHR) helps people of all ages with disabilities share in all human rights and services. The agency assists people through the maze of social, political, legal and educational systems. For details, call 792-3540 or visit wecahr.org.

When are the local pharmacies open?

Varnum’s at 91 Main Street (966-4575) is open Monday through Friday from 8  to 7 p.m. and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Lang’s Pharmacy, at 136 Elm Street (966-9593/langspharmacy.com), is open Monday through Saturday from 9  to 6 p.m. Closed Sunday. Delivery is available for a fee. 

CVS is at 94 Park Street (966-6758/cvs.com). Pharmacy hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. The store has extended hours. 

Walgreen's Pharmacy, 36 Pine Street (801-0121/walgreens.com) is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday 9 . to 6 p.m.

For 24-hour service, there are Walgreen’s (pharmacy: 845-0457, store: 845-0436) at 55 Westport Avenue in Norwalk; and CVS (pharmacy: 847-2351, store: 847-6057) 327 Main Avenue, Norwalk. 

Are there CPR classes in town? 

The New Canaan chapter of the American Red Cross provides regular classes at their offices at 51 Main Street. Call 966-1663 for further information. 

The EMS Institute at The Stamford Hospital offers a variety of courses in CPR and first aid for the general public and healthcare professionals. For more information, refer to stamfordhospital.org and click on “about” and “education” or call 325-7068. 

In addition, every ninth grader at New Canaan High School takes a CPR course that is given yearly in health class. 

Who organizes blood drives? How can I give? 

The New Canaan chapter of the American Red Cross organizes local blood drives. Call 966-1663 for information or visit ctredcross.org/newcanaan/. 

A person must be 17 or older and over 110 pounds. Many questions will be asked in order to assure the donated blood will be safe. The entire process takes about an hour, which includes questions, blood donation and rest time. 

Are there any local health programs?

Sue Klehm, a nurse from the Department of Human Services, leads an informal group on Wednesdays, 11 to noon, at the Lapham Community Center. The group discusses a variety of health issues. 

Also at Lapham, free blood pressure checks are offered every Thursday from 10:30 to 11:30. Low-cost cholesterol screenings and mammographies are offered from time to time. 

Is there a clearinghouse of health services?

Infoline of Southwest Connecticut (211/infoline.org) offers information and referrals on adult day care, nutrition, home care, respite care, health services, mental health, social services, legal services, transportation, financial services, and other topics. 

New Canaan Human Services offers information and referrals for services available in the community. Call 594-3076. 

The Connecticut Self-Help Network is a statewide clearinghouse for all support groups across the state. Its Self-Help Directory lists more than 1,450 local and statewide groups dealing with abuse, addictions, bereavement, disabilities, health, mental health, parenting, and many other stressful life situations. It also has contact information for more than 1,000 national networks. For information, call 203-624-6982. 

What type of counseling is available?

New Canaan Youth Services offers free counseling and crisis intervention for young people and families. The department also offers short-term counseling to parents. Call 594-3080. 

New Canaan Human Services offers counseling and crisis intervention for individuals and families. Call 594-3076. 

The Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut at 975 Post Road in Darien serves New Canaan. It is a nonprofit mental health resource for area children and families, receiving referrals from schools, courts, human service agencies, and private physicians. Self-referrals are also encouraged. The center has a clinical staff of psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, and marriage and family therapists. Prevention services are also provided through public education and consultation programs. Call 662-9380 or visit online at childguidancect.org. 

The center also offers an Emergency Mobile Crisis Service, providing immediate mental health assessments and stabilization services for children and adolescents experiencing serious psychiatric symptoms or severe reactions to a recent traumatic event. The service is available 24/7. Call 323-9797 or 888-825-6777. 

Stamford Hospital’s Outpatient Behavioral Health Services can be reached at 325-7560. 

Family Centers Inc. (655-0547/familycenters.org) at 590 Post Road in Darien, offers individual, family, and group counseling as well as services for elderly people and young parents. 

Family & Children’s Agency (855-8765/familyandchildrensagency.org) offers family counseling. 

Jewish Family Services (921-4161/stamfordjfs.org) offers non-sectarian services including individual, couple, and group counseling; therapy; crisis intervention; and referrals. 

Catholic Family Services (323-1105), offers mental health counseling services for adolescents, adults, and the elderly. 

Who offers substance abuse counseling?

Silver Hill Hospital, Valley Road (866-542-4455/silverhillhospital.org) has re-opened its adult outpatient department with three programs: Dual Diagnosis/Chemical Dependency, Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Women's Trauma and Addiction. Call for more information and  recommendations for youth outpatient programs and individual counseling from Silver Hill staff professionals.

Liberation Programs (655-8973/liberationprograms.org) offers comprehensive substance abuse prevention and treatment options that address the needs of youth, adults, and seniors at risk for abusing or currently abusing alcohol or drugs. Family and Youth Options, offered through Liberations Programs’ Prevention Program, offers telephone consultations, assessment and intervention, individual and family counseling, drug testing, peer mentor groups, group therapy and parenting help, anger management, and relapse prevention. The Darien office is at 2 Renshaw Road; call 655-8973. The Stamford office is at 115 Main Street; call 356-1980. 

Family Centers Inc. (655-0547) and Family & Children’s Agency (855-8765) offer substance abuse counseling. 

Where are the closest drug treatment centers? 

Liberation Programs (see above) offers treatment services, including detoxification and residential programs. 

Silver Hill Hospital on Valley Road (866-542-4455) has extensive inpatient/outpatient programs for drug and alcohol abuse. 

Hall-Brooke Behavioral Health Services in Westport (227-1251/1-800-543-3669) has inpatient and outpatient programs. 

Norwalk Hospital has a wide range of mental health and substance abuse services on both an inpatient and outpatient basis. Call 852-2988. 

What support groups are available?

There are many support groups offered through Stamford Hospital, Norwalk Hospital, the American Cancer Society, the Center for Hope in Darien, and other agencies. You may also call Infoline at 211 or go online to 211.org. You may also check with local and area churches. 

Does anyone focus on autism?

Friends of Autistic People, based in Greenwich, offers parent support groups, education, and advocacy. Call Brita Darany at 661-8510 or go online to autisticadults.com. 

Autism Speaks, now in its fourth year, is committed to the health and well-being of autistic children. For more information, call the Westchester/Fairfield chapter at 1-914-934-5138 or visit online at autismspeaks.org.

Does anyone help those with spinal cord injuries?

The Obie Harrington-Howes Foundation is comprised of community volunteers who want to help people with severe spinal cord injuries. The Darien-based group’s focus is to assist people living in Connecticut with non-reimbursable medical expenses. For information, call 888-265-5859 or visit online at ohhf.org. 

What is the ITP Foundation?

The ITP Foundation of Darien is dedicated to battling the bleeding disorder immune thrombocytopenic purpura, also known as ITP. It is a blood disorder that affects the immune system and can occur in children and adults. For information, visit online at itpfoundation.org or call 655-6954. 

Is there a therapeutic riding program?

Pegasus Therapeutic Riding (845-669-8235/pegasustr.org) is based in Brewster, N.Y. but offers programs at horse farms throughout Fairfield County. Pegasus helps bring the therapeutic benefits of horseback riding to handicapped people of all ages. In town, programs are offered through New Canaan Mounted Troop. 

Does anyone offer art therapy?

Arts for Healing, 24 Grove Street, is a nonprofit organization that provides creative arts therapy for people in Fairfield County. The organization serves all ages with music and art therapy. For children there is yoga play therapy, musical theater, and a special summer play studio. There is also a senior therapy program. For information, call 972-2982 or visit online at artsforhealing.org. 

What help is available for victims of domestic violence or sexual abuse?

The Domestic Violence Crisis Center (853-0418/dvccct.org) offers crisis intervention, counseling, advocacy, and education to help people break free from emotional, physical, or sexually abusive situations. The center also maintains a 12-bed shelter. The hotline number is 1-888-774-2900. 

The Sexual Assault Crisis Center (348-9346/sacec-ct.org) offers free crisis counseling for victims of sexual assault and other support services. The center also runs a number of support groups. The 24-hour confidential hotline is 329-2929. 

Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut (662-9380/childguidancect.org) coordinates the Lower Fairfield County Child Sexual Abuse Response Team (SART), an interagency collaboration integrating criminal investigations, child protection and comprehensive services for child sexual abuse victims and non-offending parents. The center also offers 24-hour outreach and mental health services to children exposed to domestic violence or other traumatic events. 

Where can I get help for an eating disorder? 

Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan (800-899-4455) and Hall-Brooke Behavioral Health Services in Westport (227-1251) offer treatment programs for anorexia nervosa, bulimia and other eating disorders. 

The Renfrew Center of Southern Connecticut in Wilton (800-RENFREW/renfrewcenter.com) offers an intensive outpatient program for young people and adults with eating disorders. The center also offers nutritional counseling and support groups. 

The Wilkins Center for Eating Disorders (531-1909/wilkinscenter.com) is in Greenwich. 

Is there an Alcoholics Anonymous Chapter? 

A number of A.A. meetings take place in town throughout the week. Since many meet in churches (particularly the Congregational Church, St. Mark’s, First Presbyterian Church, and United Methodist Church) check the church listings in The New Canaan Advertiser. For information about Alcoholics Anonymous and local meetings, call 855-0075 or 869-5221 in Greenwich. You can also visit ct-aa.org or fairfieldcountyintergroup.com.

For meeting information for Al-Anon, which serves families of alcoholics, or Alateen, which helps young people affected by a drinking problem, call 203-206-0599 or 888-825-2666, or visit online at ct-al-anon.org. 

What type of help is available for the mentally ill and their families?

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill has a Stamford-Greenwich affiliate at 730 Summer Street, Stamford. Call 388-1603. 

For information about supervised apartments or for consultations, call the Mental Health Association of Connecticut’s Supported Living Community (797-8621 or 798-2527). The association has a list of support groups throughout the state; call 800-842-1501. 

The Dubois Center, 780 Summer Street, Stamford, is a state-owned outpatient mental health and addiction services center serving adults. Call 388-1600. 

Laurel House, 1616 Washington Boulevard in Stamford, is a community association for people with mental illness helping them integrate into the general community. Call 324-1816 or visit online at laurelhouse.net. 

The Care Network, a group of three area health care agencies, offers treatment, counseling and help in finding community resources; call 800-898-HOME. Other sources of help include Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan (966-3561) and Hall Brooke Behavioral Health Center in Westport (277-1251). 

Should I worry about Lyme disease? 

Lyme disease, spread by deer ticks, is prevalent. Take precautions when going in the woods and fields. Use insect repellent, dress in light-colored clothing, roll pant cuffs into socks, wear long sleeves and a hat. Inspect pets that roam daily. 

Insect repellents that contain DEET are quite effective against ticks. Follow the label instructions for use and application. Products containing 15% or less DEET are recommended for children, but products containing DEET should not be used on infants. 

If you notice a tick bite or any bite around which a redness forms in the shape of a bull’s-eye target, or if you have flu-like symptoms, see a doctor immediately. Another tickborne disease that is becoming more of a problem in this area is ehrlichiosis. Spread through the bite of an infected deer tick, symptoms include fever, headache, chills, malaise, muscle and joint pain, nausea, and vomiting. Acute weight loss, low platelet count, and a low white blood cell count can also occur. 

For more information, call the health department at 594-3018 or visit online at LymeDiseaseAssociation.org. 

Are there any Lyme disease support groups?

There are two support groups — one for teens and one for adults — that meet once a month at the Comstock Community Center, 180 School Road, off Route 7, in Wilton. Both groups are led by healthcare professionals. For information, call 762-2437 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 

What is rabies? How prevalent is it in the area?

Rabies is a fatal disease caused by a virus that travels through the body to the brain via the nervous system. Once it reaches the brain, it causes encephalitis, an inflammation of the brain, which results in neurological damage and cannot be treated and is fatal. In April 1991 the first two cases of rabid raccoons were confirmed in Ridgefield. Since then, every city and town in the state has had confirmed cases of rabies, a total of 6,069 cases through June 2008. Raccoons, skunks, and bats are the most common carriers of the rabies virus. 

The best way to protect yourself against rabies is to not approach or handle wild animals (dead or alive) or strange pets and to keep your own pets vaccinated (see Animals section). 

What should I do if I have been exposed? 

Consult a doctor immediately and report the incident to the local health department (594-3037) or animal control officer (594-3510). 

Because the rabies virus is carried in saliva, the wound should be washed thoroughly with soap and water. This decreases the chance of infection, If possible, the animal should be captured for testing, which will require euthanizing the animal. The Veterinary Medical Association suggests trapping the animal under a large box, but do not try to handle it. 

Once rabies has been contracted and symptoms show, it is always fatal. (There have been a very, very few cases of survivors.) However, treatment in the form of a series of injections is available for people who have been exposed to the virus. 

What is West Nile virus? 

West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne infection that can cause encephalitis. Last summer, mosquitoes trapped in nearby towns (Darien and Stamford among them) tested positive for West Nile virus. 

Since mosquitoes can reproduce in any stagnant water that lasts more than four days, people can best protect themselves by eliminating any such pools of stagnant water around their home, such as birdbaths, old tires, kiddy pools, and clogged gutters. Minimize outdoor activities between dusk and dawn. Consider the use of mosquito repellent. 

Viral encephalitis may have no symptoms at all; milder cases may include a slight fever and/or headache. Severe infections are marked by a rapid onset of high fever, head and body aches and usually occur five to 15 days after exposure. There is no specific treatment for viral infection, other than to treat the symptoms and provide supportive care. Those most susceptible are infants, the elderly and people with damaged immune systems. For more information, call the health department at 594-3037. 

Where is smoking banned?

A state law bans smoking in bars and restaurants, as well as all public buildings, schools, health care institutions, retail stores, elevators, and private businesses. In some cases, establishment of smoking areas is permitted. Seventy-five percent of rooms in a motel or similar lodging must be smoke-free. 

How often does the town inspect restaurants?

Restaurants are generally inspected two to four times a year. Before any new restaurant opens it must pass pre-operational inspections.

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