Senior
Center
Table of
Contents
• Local Resources •
• General •
• Health & Fitness •
• News •
• Organizations •
• Retirement Life •
• Travel & Lesiure •
• WLA Home •
- Wilton Library Programs & Services
- Commission on Social Services
- Nursing and Home Care
- "Are you OK?" Program [Kiwanis/Wilton Police Department]
The Wilton Library has several programs and services designed with the older adult patron in mind:
ADA Workstation & Optelec Reader
The Library has a computer that is specially equipped for patrons of all ages with impaired vision. Located in the Adult Services wing, this workstation is identical to the other catalog-searching computers, except that it permits significant magnification of the screen display and "reads" the screen display via the earphones that are attached. Wilton Library's most recent effort to make the Library more accessible to all of its patrons is the acquisition (through a generous donation by one of our Friends) of an Optelec reader. With magnification and adjustments for color and contrast, this machine allows vision-impaired patrons to read books and magazines they would not otherwise be able to enjoy. Added to improved signage, handicapped access entry doors, a supply of magnifying glasses on hand at the Information Desk, and an extensive large-print collection housed in Adult Services, it represents a commitment to serve well the older adult patron population.
Home Delivery Service
The At Your Service: At Home program lets you or someone you care for enjoy the services of the library without the trip. Whether it's books or magazines to read or audiobooks for listening, we can mail them to you. When you're done, simply return them in the special pouch provided, postage paid and worry-free.
Those who are unable to get to the Library should call 762-3950 x228 and speak with our Circulation Manager, Fran McGowan, to arrange to have the Library "come to them."
Senior Center Book Group
The Senior Center Book Group was begun in 1978 as a Wilton Library-sponsored outreach program, meeting monthly from Fall through Spring in what was then the "headquarters" of the Wilton Adult Center in the basement of Center School. Seed money donated by the Wilton Presbyterian Church initially funded the project, making possible the purchase of multiple copies of each month's discussion book. Eventually, in the early 1980s, the funding of the program was taken over by the Town.
The Library coordinates and administers the program, selecting discussion titles (with input from members of the group) and providing leadership for each discussion program, either with a Library staff member or a volunteer guest leader from the community.
Nowadays discussions are held at the Senior Center in Comstock Community Center at 11:00 a.m. on the fourth Tuesday of September, October, January, February, March and April. They are followed by a delicious light lunch prepared by volunteers. Lunch reservations can be made by calling 834-6240 in advance of the program. A $3.00 donation for lunch is requested.
The Book Group welcomes the participation of any senior citizen of Wilton. Members are urged to read the selected book in advance and to come to meetings prepared for lively, informal discussion. No fee is charged, and copies of each book selected for discussion may be borrowed, usually for 2 weeks, from the Circulation Desk at the Wilton Library. Program schedules and selections are publicized each month in the local press and in the Senior Center newsletter Corridors. Titles cover a wide range of reading genres, tastes and interests, with works of history, travel, biography, contemporary fiction and older classics represented in each year's selections.
For further information, call the Wilton Library at 762-3950, or contact Lizabeth Doty, Senior Activities Coordinator for the Town of Wilton, at 834-6240.
The Commission on Social Services works to create and maintain a supportive community environment for the residents of Wilton. It acts in an advisory capacity to the Board of Selectmen, the Department of Social Services, and to other agencies and organizations providing human services within the Town. The Commission serves to identify the present and anticipate the emerging needs for social services in Wilton and, when appropriate, make recommendations to meet those needs.
The nine member Commission meets monthly to address matters concerning programs and budgets of Town-supported departments and agencies, long-range planning, updates on recent activities involving the youth and elderly populations, evaluating needs and the sharing of information with the Selectmen. With the large growth projections anticipated in the population age 75+ in Town, the Commission is addressing the impact on Social Service programs. Accordingly, the Commission on Social Services is currently studying the possibility of building additional affordable housing similar to Ogden House and creating a full-time senior center. It has also supported the establishment of a teen center.
During the year, the Commission reviewed budgets and heard presentations of all Social Service organizations that receive financial support from the Town. In addition to continued roundtable forums, each Commissioner acts as a liaison to individual agencies. This enables the Commission to establish a basis for a close working relationship with those agencies providing human services within the Town.
Suzanne Van Vechten directs the Department of Social Services. Other staff includes Colleen Fawcett, Coordinator of Youth Services; Susan Weingarten, Youth Services Counselor; Lauren Hughes, Coordinator of Senior Services; and Lizabeth Doty, Coordinator of Senior Activities.
In addition to advocacy, Social Services provides crisis intervention, short-term counseling and information and referral on a wide variety of issues. Youth Services works closely with the schools and the Wilton Youth Council on non-academic family issues, providing prevention and education as well as intervention. Senior Services works with the Senior Council as well as seniors and their families in providing information about services to keep older people safe and independent in their homes. When alternative situations are needed, information is also available on different kinds of housing options.
The Department also operates the Senior Center, and publishes two newsletters, one on senior issues (Corridors) and one on youth issues (the Wilton Youth Council Family Newsletter). The Senior Center and related activities for the elderly population in our community continued to see active participation.
The Dial-a-Ride program runs out of the Parks and Recreation Department and continues to provide a vital and necessary link to our community for the elderly and handicapped. For medically certified disabled residents, Town-to-Town (through the Norwalk Transit District) provides inter-town van service for medical appointments. Over 400 trips from Wilton to Norwalk were made in 2000.
FISH (Feel I Should Help), an all-volunteer organization, also drives Wilton residents for medical appointments to surrounding towns. This year FISH marked its 33rd year in Wilton and answered approximately 500 calls.
The Senior Council, chaired by Kathy Risley supported the establishment of a Senior Net Computer Learning Center at Comstock in which 60 seniors participated in 2000.
The Youth Council, chaired by Jean Hoyt, promotes and coordinates youth-related activities within town. Their effective Youth-to-Youth program, Peervention, and the quarterly flyer are but a few of their efforts.
the Wilton Family Y now operates Sib Shops (for siblings of special needs children) and Banana Splits (for children of divorce), programs that had previously originated with Youth Services. The Retired Senior Volunteer Program (R.S.V.P.), organized by Del Overby, gives Wilton residents over the age of 55 an excellent opportunity to offer their skills, time, and talent to community and non-profit agencies. Over 85 volunteers are on the current roster.
The Board of Selectmen appoints the Commissioners for a two-year term. The current Commission members are: Judy Zucker, Chairman; Betty-Jo Ferriter, Vice-Chairman; Marjorie Simpson, Secretary; Tish Brubeck, George Ciaccio, Jean Hoyt, Ed Raposa, and Skip Raymond.
