Stay at Home in Wilton Helps Seniors Weather the Storm

, the community’s provider that helps keep seniors comfortable in their golden years, has been keeping with its mission through the massive blackouts and debris-addled roads of post-Tropical Storm Irene.

“We’re in the same situation here—no water or electricity, but we do have a land line,” said Anne Richards, the Secretary of Stay at Home.

“We called everybody but there were no [emergency] needs,” she said.

The town currently has its website broadcasting important information, and a hurricane hotline to call as well. But for many people without internet, these up-to-date phone calls—which have an actual person on the other end—are important.  

And luckily, the organizations 24 volunteers were able to reach and assist seniors as usual. Richards said that houses remained accessible of those in the program.

“We call them once, twice, sometimes three times a day,” said Richards. Stay at Home volunteers called members to spread the word of free water, places to shower and places to grab internet around town.

The 43 seniors enrolled in the program were each given a large red duffle bag filled with emergency items: A first aid kit, scissors, garbage bags, paper towels, a map of Wilton, a FEMA brochure,  two pairs of protective eyewear, a can opener, three LED flashlights, a box of matches, wet naps, duct tape, a Town of Wilton recycling bag, a whistle with a flashlight handle, dust masks, four bottles of water, four power bars, and plastic cups.

“I hope all our seniors used theirs; we used ours. My husband and I are both members,” said Richards.

 “I think that one things that our members are learning is that alternate phone services don’t work, in a storm such as this. A lot of people couldn’t get in touch with a lot of other people because of the phone service,” said Phil Richards, the President of Stay at Home. 

Perhaps a land line and a friendly voice at the other end have made this storm a little less painful for some seniors, thanks to Stay at Home.