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Agencies offer gamut of services, from rides to referrals

By Michael Dinan
Staff Writer
Greenwich Time

May 6, 2004

Emma Sturm dines weekdays at the Senior Center, gets around with the help of the Transportation Association of Greenwich and Call-a-Ride, and sometimes calls the Greenwich Chapter of the American Red Cross for a ride.

"I use many of the services offered to seniors in town," said Sturm, a 74-year-old Greenwich native who knows the services available to her are much more than what her parents had.

"Yes, they had services when they were seniors, but not as many," she said.

Greenwich service providers offer a wealth of programs for local seniors seeking companionship at social activities, free transportation, discounted meals and medical advice. A list of organizations follows:

  • The Greenwich Commission on Aging (622-3992), which operates out of the Greenwich Senior Center, can refer residents to local, state and national resources. The commission also distributes printed materials, publishes the Savvy Senior newsletter, organizes lectures and runs an annual health fair. The commission can provide residents with a 70-page directory of area senior services, which can also be accessed online through the town's Web site, www.greenwichct.org.

  • At 299 Greenwich Ave., the Senior Center (622-3990) offers a number of activities for town residents. Members can take advantage of the popular $3 weekday lunch, go on trips, take classes, attend social events or just drop by to socialize.

  • Family Centers Inc. offers many services of interest to seniors including support groups, health insurance counseling and Friendly Connections, offering telephone conferences. Found at 40 Arch St., the organization can be reached at 869-4848.

  • The Greenwich chapter of the American Red Cross can provide seniors with a wealth of information, including brochures on winter safety and emergency preparedness. The chapter also sells emergency and disaster supply kits and provides free transportation for seniors to doctors' appointments. At 99 Indian Field Road, the chapter can be reached at 869-8444.

  • Seniors may get assistance from social workers from Jewish Family Services, 1 Holly Hill Lane. The agency offers services ranging from discussion groups to counseling and can be reached at 622-1881.

  • Greenwich Health at Greenwich Hospital runs dozens of educational programs and disease prevention services, including blood pressure screenings, cancer support groups and health referral services. They can be reached at 863-8444.

  • The hospital also runs Generations, a free program for people who live or work in Greenwich and are 50 years or older. Members can attend seminars, health screenings, lectures and social events and benefit from discount programs for medications and corrective eyewear. Generations can be reached at (877) 838-4888.

  • Confused about Medicare? Greenwich Hospital volunteers can answer questions about Medicare coverage and forms. The Medicare Assistance Program can be reached between 12-2:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays at 863-3334.

  • Community Centers Inc. can provide educational and recreational services as well as counseling to senior public housing residents. At 61 E. Putnam Ave., CCI can be reached at 869-1276.

  • Seniors in need of transportation can call several organizations, including Call-A-Ride (9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. weekdays) at 661-6633 and the Transportation Association of Greenwich (6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. weekdays, Saturday 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) at 637-4345.

  • Meals-on-Wheels delivers low-priced meals to the ill, disabled and elderly residents in town with professional references. Found at 89 Maple Ave., they can be reached at 869-1312.

  • Greenwich Adult Day Care Center, or GADC, is in the basement of The Nathaniel Witherell nursing home. The center provides day-care services on a sliding-scale fee basis and runs The Gazebo, a separate facility for Alzheimer's and dementia patients. GADC can be reached at 622-0079.

  • The Greenwich Department of Health (622-6488) and the Greenwich Department of Social Services (622-3800) can refer residents to many resources and offer counseling, health and respite services, information on end-of-life directives and emergency aid programs.

Greenwich seniors may explore several living options in town, including public housing, assisted-living residences and nursing homes:

  • The Nathaniel Witherell is the only town-owned nursing facility in Greenwich. The 202-bed home is at 70 Parsonage Road and can be reached at 618-4200.

  • Haven Health Center of Greenwich is a privately owned skilled nursing facility with 75 beds. At 1188 King St.., it can be reached at 531-8300.

  • Greenwich Woods Health Care Center at 1165 King St. has 217 beds, with a wing designed specifically for residents with Alzheimer's and related disorders. The nursing facility can be reached at 531-1335.

  • The Greens at Greenwich is an assisted living residence with 28 apartments. At 1155 King St., the facility's phone number is 531-5500.

  • Merry-Go-Round Mews at 1?2 Boiling Place, is a senior residence for people 55 and over with a total of 88 apartments. The organization also has an assisted-living agency. The contact number is 869-9448.

  • The Greenwich Housing Authority maintains more than 330 low-income rentals for people 62 and over and the disabled at five locations throughout the town, including Parsonage Cottage, a senior residence, with 32 private and 4 semi-private rooms. The housing authority can be reached at 869-1138.

***

Michael Dinan is a staff writer with Greenwich Time. He covers health, housing and social services, and can be reached at 625-4449, or by e-mail at [email protected].

Copyright © 2004, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.