Wilton Answer Book – Seniors

What special housing is available for seniors?

When it is completed, Wilton Commons will offer 77 units of affordable, congregate housing for seniors. It is to be built on town-owned land near the train station. Wilton Commons Inc. is currently raising money for construction. Because there will be state and federal financing for the project, it would not be restricted to Wilton residents.

Ogden House (762-8035) is a senior housing complex at 100 River Road. To be considered, you must qualify under federal Housing & Urban Development income and age/handicapped requirements.

The Greens at Cannondale (888-256-1707/thegreensatcannondale.com), 435 Danbury Road; Sunrise Assisted Living (761-8999/sunriseassistedliving.com) at 96 Danbury Road; and Meadow Ridge (544-7777/meadowridge.net) at 100 Redding Road in Georgetown are private complexes that offer a variety of independent and/or assisted living services, including care for Alzheimer’s patients.

A complete list of senior housing available in a 14-town region of southwestern Connecticut (including Wilton and Norwalk) is available from the Area Agency on Aging (203-333-9288) in Bridgeport.

Is there a senior center?

The Senior Center (834-6240) at Comstock Community Center, 180 School Road, is the center for social activities for seniors in Wilton. The center has daily activities and also coordinates with other organizations such as the parks and recreation department, Wilton Family Y, and Wilton Library. A writer’s club, garden club, knitting, computer class, bridge, line dancing, cooking classes, yoga, tai chi, jewelry making, seminars, Bingo, movies, speakers and entertainers are some of the activities offered.

There is a monthly book discussion series presented by the Wilton Library, the fourth Tuesday of the month at 11, September through May (excluding December). Lunch ($3) is served at noon following the discussion. Call 834-6240 for lunch reservations.

Lunch is offered on Thursdays at noon for $3. Reservations required; call Lizabeth Doty at 834-6240. Lunch and entertainment for all seniors in town happens every Wednesday at noon at Ogden House, 100 River Road. Lunch is $3; for reservations call Lizabeth Doty at 834-6240 by the preceding Friday.

The Comstock Computer Learning Center offers computer classes to adults of all ages from September to June. Call Andrea Ragusa at 762-8445 or visit online at comstockclc.org.

Volunteers from churches and civic groups prepare lunch each Wednesday at noon, September to June, at Ogden House, 100 River Road. Reservations are required; call Liz Doty at 834-6240.

What else is of interest to seniors?

The parks and recreation department offers a steady selection of van trips, and AARP’s 55 Alive Driving is offered. There are summer picnics at Merwin Meadows at noon on June 24, July 8, July 22, and Aug. 5 For reservations, call 834-6234, the Friday before the picnic. There is a $5 fee.

Seniors interested in taking classes as part of the Wilton Continuing Education program may call 834-7694 for course and registration information. People 62 or older may take two courses (there are some exceptions) free of a charge on a space-available basis.

Are any publications aimed at Wilton’s seniors?

The Senior Center coordinator publishes a bimonthly newsletter, Corridors, listing all programs and special town events related to seniors. It is mailed free to Wilton seniors.

Besides its regular coverage of news and events, The Wilton Bulletin devotes a weekly page to senior news.

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.

Elderhouse at 7 Lewis Street in Norwalk also serves Wilton and provides meals and transportation. Hours are Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 8 to 5; Tuesday and Thursday from 8 to 7; and Saturday from 9 to 3. Call 847-1998, e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or go online to elderhouseADC.com.

Does the town have Meals on Wheels?

Operated out of Wilton Meadows Health Care Center, 439 Danbury Road, Meals on Wheels (762-0566) is open to residents of any age whose disability or illness — temporary or long-term — prevents them from taking care of their own nutritional needs.

What is RUOK?

It is a free service of daily phone calls to Wilton residents over age 60 as well as the homebound or medically disabled of any age, sponsored by the Wilton Kiwanis Club and operated by the Wilton Police Department. At the same time each morning (between 8 and 10) participating seniors receive a call to check on their well-being. For information, call Capt. Robert Crosby at the Wilton Police, Monday through Friday from 7 to 3, at 834-6260.

What is the Yellow Dot program?

The Yellow Dot program was created to help senior citizens communicate during an automobile accident or other crisis, when they might not be able to speak for themselves. Participants receive a yellow dot sticker to affix to the lower inside corner of the driver’s side rear window thereby signaling emergency services personnel to look for the corresponding yellow folder in the glove compartment. The folder contains current medical information, a photo, hospital preferences and contact numbers. Call The Senior Center (834-6240) or the police department (834-6260) for details.

Where is the nearest AARP chapter?

Wilton is served by the Norwalk-Wilton AARP Chapter #3929, which meets the fourth Thursday of each month (except July and August) at Gallaher Mansion, Cranbury Park, Grumman Avenue in Norwalk. Call Terry Fontaine at 847-2450 for information. Each year during tax season, the chapter assists seniors with income tax preparation.

What does the Wilton Senior Council do?

The council tries to pinpoint the unmet town needs of the elderly and encourage them to make use of programs and projects that will help them live independently. The council meets quarterly on the third Thursday of the month.

Representatives from each of two dozen Wilton agencies and organizations plus members-at-large meet to exchange information, trends and topics of importance to the town’s older residents. Meetings feature a networking session and a speaker with an area of expertise. Speakers are chosen to discuss a broad range of subjects including transportation, nutrition, taxes, medical problems and Medicare. For details, call Wilton Social Services at 834-6238.

Is there special transportation for the elderly?

Dial-a-Ride provides a van to take seniors and disabled individuals to and from Wilton destinations for $2 per round trip weekdays from 9:15 to 3:45. A second van makes selected stops in Norwalk for any purpose on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:15 to 3:45, for $4 per round trip. Seniors are asked to schedule rides 24 hours or more in advance by calling 834-6235, ext. 1. Rides book up quickly.

FISH, an all-volunteer organization, provides free transportation for Wilton seniors to and from local medical appointments on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Call 834-3737 at least two days in advance to schedule a ride.

Administered by Norwalk Transit, Town-to-Town serves seniors and people with disabilities. It offers door-to-door service to Wiltonians who wish to travel between towns in the southwest Connecticut region. Hours of operation are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday. There are no trips on Sundays or major holidays. Riders must complete an ADA Eligibility Certification Request form before using the service. For fare and eligibility information, and to make a reservation, call 299-5180 (voice) 299-5183 (TDD). For details, check online at norwalktransit.com.

The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery program provides free door-to-door transportation to cancer patients for medically related cancer care in the area. Call 1-800-889-3340 and press 3.

The ALS Association offers door-to-door free transportation to medical appointments for ALS patients who use a wheelchair. Call 1-877-257-2281.

What is At Your Service?

At Your Service is a Wilton Library program that mails books, magazines, or audiobooks to those temporarily or permanently homebound due to illness or disability. Pre-paid return mailers are included. The program also delivers books each week to the two assisted living facilities in town. For information, call 762-3950, ext. 238 or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

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