HHS Readies Flu Plan, Discusses Options for Elderly Transport

If Thursday's meeting is any indication, the town Health and Human Services Commission has its hands full, preparing the town's response to widespread concerns raised by seasonal flu, the H1N1 flu, and dealing with the stresses of the economy. 

First on the agenda Thursday morning was the flu. Seasonal flu is always an issue this time of year and commissioners are preparing to open public flu clinics at Saxe Middle School and Lapham Community Center. Last year, 1,050 residents were immunized, although Commission Chairman Jim Lisher sees room for improvement. "With a population of 20,000, we should be able to do better than that," he said.

Flyers and brochures describing seasonal flu and immunization options will be distributed to educate residents and hopefully increase immunization numbers.

But this year the commission also faces the threat of H1N1, better known as swine flu. The commissioners are hopeful they can clearly differentiate between H1N1 and seasonal flu, as well as prepare for any H1N1 outbreak. The concern is heightened with students returning to schools this past Monday. "In the schools in the South that have been open for a few weeks now, it's running rampant," said Director of Human Services Carol McDonald.

Thus far, the commissioners have been developing an infrastructure to manage H1N1, including an emergency response plan and an incident command structure. Alongside those large-scale preparations, the commission is also stressing behavioral recommendations, such as frequent hand washing. As Chairman Lisher explained, "the things to do are relatively simple."

The commission also discussed the state of elderly transportation in town Thursday. Transportation for elderly residents is in transition, with the Getabout service currently being reworked, the Red Cross phasing out its rides, and newer services arising.

The Getabout is adding medical locations to its routes, including Norwalk Hospital, Stamford Hospital, and Tully Health Center. Rides will now cost $3, although the total cost of each of these rides is roughly $16 and users will only be paying the unsubsidized portion.

Staying Put in New Canaan offers a volunteer-based ride system, a service included in its membership price. Commmissioner Tom Ferguson noted that Staying Put, which serves 185 households and 260 individuals, is rapidly approaching its thousandth service call milestone.

The commissioners also hope the upcoming Town Survey will help gauge the public's views on elderly care, particularly on the debate over a Waveny Care's plans for a continuing care retirement community.

The commissioners noted that as the recession and widespread joblessness take their toll, evictions are on the rise and Domestic Violence Hotline calls are up 100 percent. Human Services Director Carol McDonald also noted that more families are turning to the Food Pantry. The commission plans to address these issues in the coming months through awareness campaigns, including the designation of October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Finally, the commission plans to launch an alcohol awareness campaign, with a strong focus on the consequences underage drinking presents to teens and adults.