Darien Answer Book
Darien Answer Book: Health

Mar 10, 2008

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?

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

What does the Department of Health do?

The Darien Department of Health office is in Room 109 of Town Hall. Office hours are 8:30 to 4:30. The phone number is 656-7320.

The department is dedicated to promoting physical and mental health, preventing disease and injury, guarding against health threats, improving the environment, and enforcing the Connecticut Health Code and all local health ordinances. The department also handles requests for shellfishing permits, measures bacterial levels at the town’s two beaches, and maintains a beach hotline to let residents know if the beaches are open or closed. (See Recreation section.)

The department’s Web page at darienct.gov (click on Town Services & Departments) offers a vast list of information on a variety of health issues from eating fish caught in Connecticut to tick management, radon gas measurements, and disinfecting a private well.

Who are the town’s health officers?

Dr. David M. Reed is the interim director of health. Director of environmental health is Vincent D. Proto (vproto@darienct.gov), who is responsible for enforcing statutes and regulations on septic systems and wells. The office administrator is Elaine Kilbourn (ekilbourn@darienct.gov). Rick Peterson is the environmental sanitarian and Jeanne Ormond is the health educator.

Are there CPR classes in town?

Each year the Darien/Stamford Red Cross, 39 LeRoy Avenue, trains hundreds of people in CPR and first aid. For a schedule of classes, call 655-2586 or visit ctredcrossclasses.org.

CPR classes are also offered occasionally at the YWCA of Darien/Norwalk, 49 Old Kings Highway North. For details, call 655-2535 or visit ywcadariennorwalk.org.

CPR classes may be offered periodically around town at locations like the senior center. Check The Darien Times for announcements.

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.

Does Darien have a nursing home?

Darien Health Care Center (655-7727), 599 Boston Post Road, offers 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.

At 146 West Broad Street in Stamford is the William & Sally Tandet Center for Continuing Care, 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. For more information, call 323-2323.

Waveny Care Center, 3 Farm Road, New Canaan, is a for-profit facility offering short- or long-term skilled nursing care and rehabilitation therapy. There is also a special long-term, skilled nursing care unit for people with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. For information, call 594-5200 or visit waveny.org.

There are a number of other nursing homes in Stamford and Norwalk.  For a list and quality-related information, visit online at medicare.gov.

Who offers home care?

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.

Nursing & Home Care also 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. 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 & Hospice Care of Southwestern Connecticut (VNHC), also offers home health services including skilled nursing; physical, speech, and occupational therapies; a medical social worker; home health aides; and baby, child care, and homemaking assistance. Call 276-3000.

More services can be found online at medicare.gov by clicking on Home Health Compare.

Can I get help with household tasks while I’m recuperating from an illness?

Many of the visiting nurse associations listed above offer aides to assist with household chores. Family & Children’s Agency offers homemakers and a home chore service. Call 855-8765.

Are there any programs for caregivers?

The Darien chapter of the American Red Cross (655-2586) offers a Family Caregiving Course, which focuses on helping those who care for a loved one. Topics include: assisting with personal care, positioning and helping your loved one move, general caregiving skills, home safety, caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s or dementia, among others. The course does not appear on the regular schedule but is offered by request.

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 is operated 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 including. 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?

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 & Hospice Care of Southwestern Connecticut (VNHC) is available at home, in an assisted living facility, or at the Richard L. Rosenthal Hospice Residence, at the Bennett Medical Center on the Stamford Hospital campus. For more information, call Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care at 276-4000.

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

VNS of Connecticut’s Hospice at Home 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 8621 or visit vnsct.com.

How can I become a hospice volunteer?

Volunteers are an integral part of a hospice program. Volunteers may choose to work with patients and families, or may help in many other ways.

Mid-Fairfield Hospice offers volunteer training courses at least twice each year. Call 847-7646 for details.

Visiting Nurse Service of Connecticut offers training programs at its Norwalk office. Call 838-8621.

Does anyone offer wellness programs?

The Darien YWCA (655-2535) offers a variety of programs over the year including mammography screenings and bone density screenings.

Does anyone help the handicapped?

The office of social services can direct people to many resources. Call 656-7328.

Is there rehabilitation for the disabled community?

The Rehab Center works with children and adults to restore mobility and function depleted by serious injuries and neurological disorders. The Rehab Center also offers the Skill Source Program, a vocational program that provides training and employment opportunities to qualified individuals with disabilities.

The Rehab Center (325-1544) is at 26 Palmer’s Hill Road in Stamford.

Is there a pharmacy in town and when is it open?

Grieb’s Pharmacy (655-1000), 1021 Post Road, is open every day. Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 to 6 on Saturday, and 9:30 to 3 on Sunday. Area-wide delivery is available.

The pharmacy at CVS, 964 Post Road (655-6335), is open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the weekends. The store closes at 9 on the weekends.

Walgreen’s, 138 Heights Road (655-8904), is open from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 to 6 on Saturday, and 9 to 6 on Sunday. The store is open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.

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 and 593 Newfield Avenue, Stamford  (967-4600).

Is there a clearinghouse of health services?

Darien Social Services (656-7328) offers information and referrals for services available in the community.

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 211 or 324-6703 or visit 211.org online.

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.

Who organizes blood drives?

The Darien chapter of the American Red Cross collects blood on a regular basis. A person must be 17 or older and at least 110 pounds to donate blood. Many questions will be asked in order to assure the donated blood will be safe. The entire process takes about an hour, including questions, donation, rest time, and snacks afterward.

Call 655-2586 or visit dsredcross.org for the schedule.

Is there a flu clinic in town in the fall?

The town offers flu clinics for adults with Nursing & Home Care in October and November. For dates, check The Darien Times or call the health department’s flu hotline at 656-7823. Clinic dates are also listed on the town’s Web site, darienct.gov.

Are there any blood pressure screenings?

Nursing & Home Care offers free blood pressure screenings the second Monday of each month from 10 to 11, at the Darien Senior Center (655-7105); the third Tuesday of each month from 2 to 3, in the Community Room at Old Town Hall Housing (656-7328); and the first Tuesday of each month, 11:30 to 1:30, at town hall.

What type of counseling is available?

Darien Social Services (656-7328) offers counseling for families and individuals of all ages.

Family Centers Inc. (655-0547/familycenters.org) at 17 Old Kings Highway South 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.

The Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut, 975 Post Road (662-9380) 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.

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.

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

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

Who offers substance abuse counseling?

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.

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

The Higher Ground Ministry, for those affected by addiction, meets Tuesday evenings, 7:30, in Memorial Hall at the Calvary Baptist Church, 988 Post Road. Call 655-0318.

What are the closest drug treatment centers?

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

Silver Hill Hospital on Valley Road in New Canaan (800-899-4455) has extensive programs for drug and alcohol abuse.

You may also call Norwalk Hospital Addiction and Rehabilitation (852-2520).

What support groups are available?

There are many support groups offered through Stamford Hospital, Norwalk Hospital, the Center for Hope (see Public Services), the YWCA, the American Cancer Society and other agencies. The Darien Senior Center offers a diabetes support group. The Darien Web site, darienct.gov, offers an extensive list. Click on  Darien Mental Health Services on the home page. You may also call Infoline at 211 or go online to 211.org.

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.

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 sysem and can occur in children and adults. For information, visit online at itpfoundation.org or call 655-6954.

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

The Domestic Violence Crisis Center (853-0418) 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 Web site is dvccct.org.

The Sexual Assault Crisis and Education Center (348-9346), 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 number is 329-2929. The Web site is sacec-ct.org.

Child Guidance Center of Southern Connecticut (CGC) at 972 Post Road (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 (800-899-4455) in New Canaan and Hall-Brooke Behavioral Health Services (277-1251) in Westport offer treatment programs for anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and other eating disorders.

The Darien YWCA offers Overeaters Anonymous, a confidential 12-step support program. Call 655-2535.

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

The Renfrew Center of Southern Connecticut, 436 Danbury Road (834-5020/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.

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

The Darien Human Services Planning Council, formed to identify community needs, has put together a list of services accessible online at darienct.gov. Click on Darien Mental Health Services.

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 (966-3651) and Hall Brooke Behavioral Health Center in Westport (277-1251).

Is there a therapeutic riding program?

Pegasus Therapeutic Riding (356-9504) 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. The Darien chapter offers programs at the Ox Ridge Hunt Club.

What is radon gas?

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. Because radon is known to occur in Darien, the health department has radon-testing kits for free distribution to local residents. Drop by the health department and pick one up. For more information, call 656-7320.

Kits are also available commercially or may be purchased inexpensively by calling the Radon Hotline - 1-800-SOS-RADON - operated by the National Safety Council.

Should I worry about Lyme disease?

Lyme disease, spread by 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 in this area is ehrlichiosis. 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.

How can I get more information about Lyme disease?

The health department has quite a bit of information about Lyme disease, including pictures of deer ticks and a bull’s eye rash, on its Web site. Go to darienct.gov, click on town services, then health department.

Are there any Lyme disease support groups?

There are two support groups in Wilton, one for adults and one for teens, that meet once a month at the Comstock Community Center, 180 School road, off Route 7. Call Yvonne at 762-2437 or e-mail kos1@earthlink.net.

What is rabies? How prevalent is it in this 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. 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 5,926 cases through August 7, 2007. 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 (655-7320) and animal control officer (655-8686). 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 have been a very, very few cases of survivors.) However, prophylactic 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 year, mosquitoes trapped in Darien tested positive for West Nile virus and one person in Darien was diagnosed with West Nile virus, who fortunately recovered.

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.

How can I get more information on West Nile virus?

For educational materials and general updates, call the Darien Health Department at 656-7320.

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 hotel, motel, or similar lodging must be smoke-free.

How often does the town inspect restaurants?

Restaurants are inspected according to their risk classification, which is based on the type of establishment it is. Low-risk restaurants are inspected one to two times per year. Higher-risk restaurants - those dealing with hot foods and more complex preparation - are inspected more frequently. These restaurants must also have on site a qualified food operator who has passed a state-certification test. Darien’s health department offers certification classes.

Of course, before any new restaurant opens, it must go through a thorough plan review process with the health department and pass pre-operational inspections.

Is there an Alcoholics Anonymous chapter?

A number of A.A. meetings take place in town throughout the week. For information, call 855-0075 or visit ct-aa.org. Alcoholics Anonymous has two local answering services: 869-5221 in Greenwich and 323-3115 in Stamford.

An Al-Anon Parents Group meets every Tuesday at St. Thomas More Happiness Pre-school Building, 374 Middlesex Road. The beginner’s meeting is from 7 to 8 p.m. The regular meeting is from 8 to 9:30.

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.

Where can I get a first aid kit?

The Red Cross offers a variety of first aid kits including a family first aid kit for $24.95 and a number of emergency preparedness kits. For information, or to order, call 655-2586 or visit dsredcross.org.