Wilton Answer Book
Wilton Answer Book: Seniors

Jul 19, 2007

What special housing is available for seniors and how does one get admitted?
The Planning and Zoning Commission has approved a 77-unit facility of affordable, congregate housing for seniors to be build on town-owned land. Wilton Commons Inc. is raising money for construction and expects to begin accepting applications in the fall of 2008. Because the group is looking for state 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. The Continuing Ed Department holds classes at the center on Wednesdays during the day. Call 834-7694 to register.
A writer’s club, garden club, calligraphy, knitting, book discussion group, computer class, bridge club, line dancing, weekly movies, cooking classes, seminars, Bingo, speakers and entertainers are some of the activities offered.
Lunch is offered on Thursdays at noon for $3. Reservations required; call Liz Doty at 834-6240. You may bring your own lunch to the Senior Center at 11:30 on Mondays. You can work up an appetite with line dancing before lunch or enjoy a movie afterwards. The coffee pot is always on.

What else is of interest to seniors?
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 Liz Doty at 834-6240.
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 27, July 18, and Aug. 8. For reservations, call 834-6234, ext. 6.
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.
The Comstock Computer Center offers computer classes (maximum size is five) and labs to adults of all ages. Call 834-6410.
Every other year there is a Wilton Senior Community Day for Wiltonians over 55 and their adult children. Events include presentations on travel and housing, exercise and cooking demonstrations, and line dancing and music.

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 is at 7 Lewis Street in Norwalk (847-1998/elderhouse.net). The certified, adult day program is open Monday through Saturday, with transportation available. Meals and snacks are served.

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 in summer) at 1:30 at the United Covenant Church of Wilton, 68 Westport Road. Call Terry Fontaine at 847-2450 for information. Each year during tax season, the chapter assists seniors with income tax preparation.
AARP national headquarters are in Washington, D.C., and you may call 800-424-3410 for membership information.

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. Residents should call 834-3737 at least two days in advance to schedule a ride.
Administered by Norwalk Transit, Town-to-Town serves people with disabilities. It offers door-to-door service to Wiltonians who wish to travel between towns in the southwest Connecticut region for medical purposes only. Hours of operation are 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday. There are no trips on Sundays or major holidays. For fare and eligibility information, and to make a reservation, call 852-0000. 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 800-227-2345..
The ALS Association offers door-to-door free transportation to medical appointments for ALS patients who use a wheelchair. Call 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.

© Copyright 2007 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers