Jun 12, 2007
Weston Answer Book: Health Services
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How can I find a good doctor for my family?
All hospitals have physician referral services. Try
Norwalk Hospital (852-2609 or www.norwalkhosp.org),
Danbury Hospital (797-7001 or www.danburyhospital.org),
St. Vincent’s Medical Center in Bridgeport (877-255-SVHS or www.stvincents.org), or
Bridgeport Hospital (384-3000 or www.bridgeporthospital.org). There are also published directories at area libraries, and lots of online referral services like www.physicianreports.com or www.AmericasTopDoctors.com. Sometimes the best references come through word of mouth.
Do any doctors take walk-in patients?
There are none in town. In Wilton, there is
Wilton Medical Walk In Clinic (834-8885) at 35 Danbury Road. It’s open Monday through Friday from 9 to 5, Saturdays from 9 to 2, Sundays from 9 to 1, and holidays from 9 to 1. The last patient is seen one-half hour before closing.
In Fairfield, the
Walk-In Medical Care Center (259-3440) is at 1055 Post Road, and the
Fairfield Family Medical Center (384-2273), 525 Tunxis Hill Cutoff, is open Monday through Friday, 9 to 9; Saturday and Sunday, 9 to 3.
In Norwalk, there’s
Primary Medical Care (849-7777 or www.pmcc-ohc.com) at 345 Main Avenue, open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays, 9 to 5 on Saturday and Sunday. Call for hours on holidays.
Immediate Medical Care of Monroe (459-0191), 388 Main Street (Route 25) is affiliated with Bridgeport Hospital. To access information online, go to www.bridgeporthospital.org and click on Community Services, then Walk-in Medical Centers.
Are there CPR classes in town?
Weston Emergency Medical Services, through its HeartSmart program, offers CPR training to groups such as the Girl and Boy Scouts, community service organizations, sports programs, and high school students. Call Nisan Eventoff from Weston EMS at 222-2600 to arrange a HeartSmart program or for more information.
The Mid-Fairfield County Chapter of the American Red Cross, 36 Church Lane, Westport, offers CPR, first aid, and baby-sitting courses in the area. For times and locations, call 227-9505, ext. 29 or visit www.midfairfieldredcross.org.
Is there a town health department?
Weston does not have its own health department. Instead, the Westport Weston Health District is a regional health department that provides professional health services. It is at 180 Bayberry Lane, Westport. Office hours are 8:30 to 4:30. The phone number is 227-9571. The Web site is www.wwhd.org.
The sanitarian for the Westport Weston Health District has office hours every Wednesday between 10 and noon in the Commission Room at Weston Town Hall to answer questions about septic systems, wells, and building modifications.
Is there a clearinghouse of health services?
Infoline of Southwest Connecticut 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. Call 2-1-1 or visit www.211infoline.org.
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.
Does anyone make house calls?
The Westport Weston Health District Homebound Health Check program provides regular non-skilled home visits by a registered nurse to Westonites unable to leave their home due to chronic illness or advanced age. Services are tailored to meet individual health needs and include monitoring of vital signs, blood sugar levels, and medication compliance. For information or to register, call Loren Pace, RN, at 227-9571.
Where is the nearest nursing home?
The nearest nursing homes are in Wilton:
Wilton Meadows Health Care (834-0199 or www.wiltonmeadowshealthcare.org), 439 Danbury Road; and
Lourdes Health Care Center (762-3318), 345 Belden Hill Road.
In Georgetown, there is
Meadow Ridge (544-1000 or www.meadowridge.net) at 100 Redding Road.
Quality-related information on nursing homes is available online at www.medicare.gov.
How can I arrange for home health care?
You, your doctor, or a friend can call any of several visiting nurse services to arrange for home health care.
The
Visiting Nurse/VNA Care Network offers several home care programs. Assisted Living @ Home is offered to people who need support to remain independent at home and out of a long-term care facility. Services include help with bathing, cleaning, cooking, dressing, driving and shopping, running errands, and even providing companionship. Offered by NHC Select Care, a division of the network, call 800-898-4663 for more information. The Web site is www.visitingnurse.net.
Nursing & Home Care, which is part of the network, provides high-tech and long-term professional nursing; aides for personal care and home management; physical, occupational, and speech therapists; and volunteer peer counselors. Call 762-8958 or 800-898-HOME.
VNS of Connecticut offers skilled nursing for children and adults; occupational, physical and speech therapy; medical social work; and home health aides as well as many specialty services. Call 838-8621 or visit www.vnsct.com.
Is there a clearinghouse of information on home health care?
Home Health Compare allows consumers to see clinical information about home health agency quality. The service is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. It is available online at www.medicare.gov.
How can I get help with household tasks while I’m recuperating from my illness?
Through Assisted Living @ Home (800-898-4663 ), a service of the Visiting Nurse/VNA Care Network in Wilton, people can get help with bathing, cleaning, cooking, dressing, driving and shopping, and running errands.
Who provides hospice service?
Mid-Fairfield Hospice, a partner with Nursing & Home Care, provides hospice services to Weston. 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. For information, call 762-8958 or 800-898-HOME or visit online at www.visitingnurse.net.
From its Norwalk office,
VNS of Connecticut offers hospice care for Weston patients in their homes. For information, call 838-8621 or visit www.vnsct.com.
How can I become a hospice volunteer?
Volunteers are an integral part of a hospice program. Mid-Fairfield Hospice offers volunteer training courses at least twice each year. Volunteers may choose to work with patients and families, or may help in many other ways. Call the Mid-Fairfield Hospice at 762-8958 for details.
VNS of Connecticut offers a free, eight-week training program for adults over 18 who are interested in becoming a hospice volunteer. The program takes place in the Norwalk office at 137 East Avenue. For details, call 366-3821.
Does anyone help the handicapped?
Call the Department of Social Services (222-2663) for referrals.
Is there a therapeutic riding program?
Pegasus Therapeutic Riding (356-9504 or www.pegasustr.org) teaches horseback riding to the disabled to improve their mobility and balance, strength, and self-confidence. There are programs in New Canaan, Greenwich, Easton, and North Salem, N.Y.
Where is the nearest pharmacy?
The pharmacy that had been in Weston Center for decades just closed its doors in April 2007, and, as of this printing, another had not moved in to replace it.
Prescriptions were transferred to the
Stop & Shop Pharmacy in Wilton Center. Pharmacy hours there are Monday through Friday 8 to 8, Saturday, 9 to 5, and Sunday, 9 to 3. The pharmacy may be reached at 834-9735.
Achorn’s Pharmacy at 166 Main Street in Westport serves Westonites, and also offers free morning delivery for residents. Pharmacy hours are Monday through Friday, 8 to 7, Saturday, 8 to 6, and Sunday, noon to 5. Call 226-0741.
There is also
Colonial Druggists at 611 Post Road East (227-9538) and
CVS at 397 Post Road East in Westport (227-7343). For those closer to the north end of town, there is
Redding Pharmacy, 73 Redding Road (Route 107) in Georgetown (544-8306).
The nearest 24-hour pharmacies are in Norwalk.
CVS (847-2351) is at 235 Main Street and
Walgreen’s (845-0457) is at 55 Westport Avenue.
Who organizes blood drives? How can I give?
With local sponsorship of groups like the Kiwanis Club of Weston, the American Red Cross Mid-Fairfield County Chapter, 36 Church Lane, Westport (227-9505 or www.midfairfieldredcross.org) conducts blood drives.
Is there a flu clinic in the fall?
The Westport Weston Health District has flu clinics in the fall at its Westport office, as well as at various community locations in both Westport and Weston. Sites and times are published in The Weston Forum and are posted online at www.wwhd.org or call 227-9571 for more information.
The health district also offers a pneumonia vaccine clinic for seniors that offers a once-in-a-lifetime vaccine, covered by most Medicare plans. Call for details.
Is there a wellness clinic?
The Westport Weston Health District (227-9571) offers a walk-in clinic for adults and children on Mondays from 9 to 10:30 at its Westport office. The clinic offers free blood pressure screening, monitoring, and counseling. Blood sugar, and TB testing are available for a minimal charge. No immunizations are given during the wellness clinic.
Can I get my cholesterol checked?
The Westport Weston Health District offers cholesterol screening that includes total, LDL, and HDL levels, blood sugar, and triglyceride levels. Fasting is required. The $25 fee must be paid in cash. For an appointment, call Monica Wheeler, RN, at 227-9571, ext. 242.
I will be traveling abroad. Where can I get necessary immunizations?
The Westport Weston Health District offers immunizations, preventive medications, and travel health counseling. For an appointment call Janet Hanna in the Travel Clinic at 227-9571, ext. 243. Fees are payable by cash, check, MasterCard, or Visa.
Where can I get my child’s immunizations?
Most parents bring their child to their pediatrician, but the Westport Weston Health District offers immunizations and boosters to children and adults. There is a fee payable by cash or check, MasterCard, or Visa. Call 227-9571 for an appointment.
The health district also offers immunizations for school or college-bound students that include MMR, Meningitis, Hepatitis B vaccinations and TB testing. No appointment is necessary. Call for details.
Where is the closest drug treatment center?
For information about drug abuse and treatment centers, call Social Worker Charlene Chiang-Hillman at 222-2663.
Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan (800-899-4455 or www.silverhillhospital.com) has inpatient and outpatient programs for drug and alcohol abuse.
Hall-Brooke Behavioral Health Services in Westport (277-1251 or www.hallbrooke.org) also 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 or visit www.norwalkhosp.org.
What type of help or counseling 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
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 (966-3651);
Hall Brooke Behavioral Health Center in Westport, (277-1251).
Where can I get help for an eating disorder?
The
Renfrew Center of Southern Connecticut, 436 Danbury Road in Wilton (834-5020 or www.renfrew.com) offers an intensive outpatient program for young people and adults with eating disorders. The center also offers nutritional counseling and support groups for individuals (adults and adolescents), families, and couples. A free support group meets every Saturday morning at 11. The drop-in group is open to anyone struggling with eating disorders, their families or friends.
The
Wilkins Center (531-1909 or www.wilkinscenter.com) is located in Greenwich, but has staff memebrs with offices located throughout Fairfield and New Haven Counties. The center provides integrated psychiatric, medical, and nutritional care.
Danbury Hospital (797-7000) has an outpatient program.
Silver Hill Hospital in New Canaan (800-899-4455); and
Hall-Brooke Behavioral Health Center in Westport, (277-1251) offer treatment programs for anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and other eating disorders.
What is radon gas and what can I do about it?
Radon gas is a decay product of radioactive uranium that cannot be seen, smelled, or tasted. In open air it is harmlessly dispersed, however well water passing through soil with high levels of the gas may be a significant source of radon in a home. High levels of radon occur in Connecticut, particularly in Fairfield County.
Exposure to radon increases your risk of developing lung cancer. According to the U.S. E.P.A., radon causes more cancer deaths than any other single air pollutant except tobacco smoke. When exposure is combined with smoking or inhaling someone else’s smoke, the risk increases dramatically.
Radon gas gets into homes through cracks in foundations, block walls, sump pumps, drains and other openings in cellar floors and walls. It can also be released into the air by running water from faucets and showers if the source of water is a well with high levels of radon.
The simplest way to find out if your home has high levels of radon is through a carbon filter test. Kits are available in stores or may be purchased inexpensively by calling the Radon Hotline — 800-SOS-RADON — operated by the National Safety Council.
Should I worry about Lyme disease?
Lyme disease, spread by ticks, is prevalent. The most common carrier is the deer tick, which is about the size of a poppy seed. 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.
What about other tickborne illnesses?
There are other tickborne diseases found in this area — ehrlichiosis and babesiosis.
The symptoms of erlichiosis 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.
The symptoms of babesiosis include a gradual onset of malaise, loss of appetite, and fatigue, followed by intermittent fever, with temperatures as high as 104 degrees. Usually one or more of the following occur: Shaking, chills, sweats, headache, muscle aches, and anemia.
Does anyone test ticks for Lyme disease?
The Westport Weston Health District will identify ticks for residents for $10. There will be no additional fee to send engorged ticks to the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment station for testing. Call 227-9751 for details.
The Connecticut Veterinary Diagnostic Lab will examine ticks for the presence of the pathogen that causes Lyme disease. The fee is $35. Wrap ticks in a moist towel sealed in a zip-lock bag and bring or send to Connecticut Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, University of Connecticut, 61 North Eagleville Road, Storrs, CT 06269-3203. Results will be received in one to two days.
How can I get information about Lyme disease?
The Westport Weston Health District has extensive information aout Lyme disease on its Web site, www.wwhd.org; click on Target Lyme Disease.
The following Web sites also are recommended: www.ilads.org; www.columbia-lyme.org; www.cdc.gov. Color pictures of several variations of the Lyme rash may be viewed at the Lyme Disease Foundation Web site, www.lyme.org.
Is there a support group for those with Lyme disease?
Adult and teen groups meet regularly at the Comstock Community Center in Wilton. For either group, call Yvonne at 762-2437 or e-mail kos1@earthlink.net.
How prevalent is rabies in this area?
In the first four months of the year, Weston’s animal control officer disposed of nearly 30 rabid wild animals, including raccoons, skunks, bats, and opossums.
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.
During the last 15 years, there has been an outbreak of rabies along the East Coast. 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 district (227-9571) and animal control officer (222-2642). 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. The Veterinary Medical Association suggests trapping the animal under a large box, but do not try to handle it. Because the testing procedure for rabies involves dissecting the brain, the animal must be euthanized in order to be tested.
Once rabies has been contracted, it is nearly always fatal. (There has been only one known survivor.) However, prophylactic treatment in the form of a series of injections is available for people who have been exposed to the virus. The procedure involves administering a dose of immunoglobulin, followed by a vaccination. This is succeeded by a series of four injections given in a 28-day period after the initial treatment.
What is West Nile virus?
West Nile virus is a mosquito-borne infection that can cause encephalitis. Mosquitoes trapped in Weston have tested positive for West Nile virus.
Although most mosquitoes do not transmit the virus, the one most commonly associated with it is the Culex pipiens mosquito, also known as the common house mosquito. These 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 not have any symptoms at all; mild 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 infections, other than to treat the symptoms and provide supportive care. Those who may be most susceptible to encephalitis are infants, the elderly and people with damaged immune systems.
Where is smoking banned?
Smoking is banned in all public buildings in Weston. A state law bans smoking in all restaurants, bars, health care institutions, schools, retail stores, elevators, and private businesses.
How can I find an Alcoholics Anonymous chapter?
The local AA help line is 227-2496, the Web site is www.ct-aa.org. Many alcohol abuse hotlines are listed in the phone book. Al-Anon, for families of alcoholics, and Alateen, for young people affected by a drinking problem, may be reached at 888-825-2666. The Web site is www.ct-al-anon.org.
Does anyone offer HIV/AIDS testing?
The Westport Weston Health District offers anonymous or confidential HIV/AIDS testing and counseling. There is no charge, but a $10 donation is suggested. For details or an appointment, call 227-9571.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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