For Wilton’s seniors, their families and friends, the Wilton Senior Services booklet published by the Wilton Department of Social Services is invaluable. This booklet was printed through the generosity of The Wilton Rotary Club, and it is bursting with names and numbers helpful to Wilton seniors. During the coming weeks, this column will highlight selected services included in the booklet. If you need a copy, call the social services office at 203-834-6238. This week will focus on Medical and Health Services.
Medical and health services
Danbury Hospital, New Milford Hospital, Norwalk Hospital and affiliates have joined together to create the new Western Connecticut Health Network. They are united by a mission to improve the health and well-being of the communities in the area. Together they broaden access to primary and specialty care, strengthen clinical programs and expand the breadth of services offered.
Western Connecticut Health Network , Norwalk Hospital (203-852-2000), 34 Maple Street, Norwalk, CT 06856, www.norwalkhospital.org
Western Connecticut Health Network , Danbury Hospital (203-739-7000), 24 Hospital Avenue, Danbury, CT 06810, www.danburyhospital.org .
Norwalk Hospital Dental Services Clinic (203-852-2146), 24 Stevens Street, Norwalk, CT 06850, Sliding fee scale. Appointment necessary.
Cancer Care (203-854-9911), 120 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851, www.cancercare.org . A cancer diagnosis turns a person’s world upside down — emotionally, physically and financially. CancerCare® can help. They provide telephone, online, and face-to-face counseling, support groups, education, publications and financial and co-payment assistance. Professional oncology social workers offer personalized care, and all their services are free of charge.
Rehabilitation Services at Waveny Care Center (203-594-5340), 3 Farm Road, New Canaan, CT 06840, www.waveny.org . Waveny LifeCare Network provides a comprehensive continuum of healthcare to serve the growing needs of adults from all areas. They offer a progression of therapeutic programs, services and living options to enhance quality of life. They provide physical, speech, occupational, and cognitive therapies on an inpatient and outpatient basis.
V.A. Medical Center (203-932-5711), 950 Campbell Avenue, West Haven, CT 06516, www.connecticut.va.gov . In-patient and outpatient care. Health screening. May help with prescription drugs. V.A. health screening also available at the Stamford satellite clinic at 1275 Summer Street, Suite 102, Stamford, CT. Appointments necessary. Call 203-325-0649.
Americares Free Clinic of Norwalk (203-899-2493), 98 South Main Street, Norwalk, CT 06854, www.americares.org , Adult Clinic Tuesday 1-4 p.m. and Saturday 9-12 noon for specific medical conditions.
Summer Corridors
Corridors is the bi-monthly newsletter for the senior center. It is mailed to Wilton residents who are registered voters age 60 and above. For the months of July and August, Corridors is available at the senior center and on the town website at www.wiltonct.org . Just click on the newsletter icon on the right panel of the homepage.
Insomnia
Join Cathy Pierce, LCSW, director of Social Services, and Lauren Hughes, LCSW, coordinator of Senior Services, will offer a four-week educational seminar in understanding insomnia and learning how to develop techniques to help improve your sleep.
The initial meeting will be on Tuesday, July 14, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the senior center lounge. The group will meet at the same time on the next three consecutive Tuesdays, July 21, July 28, and August 4 and will be limited to eight participants.
The seminar will be based on the work of Gregg D. Jacobs, Ph.D., an insomnia specialist from the Sleep Disorder Center at UMass Memorial Medical Center.
The first session will focus on separating the facts about sleep from popular myths and misconceptions. In the second week, we will address sleep medications and sleep scheduling techniques. Participants will leave with homework in the form of a sleep chart to help track their personal sleep patterns. The third week’s session will cover stimulus control techniques or how to create the optimal internal and external environment for sleep. In the final session we will cover relaxation and sleep hygiene techniques so that you can learn to fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer.
To enroll, call 203-834-6238.
Coming events
For the week of July 3:
• Friday, July 3 , senior center closed.
• Monday, July 6 , 10:30, Line Dance Fusion with Beatriz Araujo; 1, Bridge.
• Tuesday, July 7 , 11, Yoga with Denise O’Hearn; 12:30, Mah Jongg; 2, Chair Yoga at Ogden House.
• Wednesday, July 8 , 10, Open Bridge; 10:30, Tai Chi with Joe Alampi; 1, Mah Jongg.
• T hursday, July 9 , 9, Enhance Fitness with Leslie Hinshaw; 10, Yoga with Denise O’Hearn; 12, Lunch; 12:45, Bingo.
In the course of the renovation project, individual rooms in the senior center and social services wing of the building may, from time to time, become unavailable for public use. All senior programs and the room assignments will be posted at or on the entrance doors. We appreciate your understanding and patience.