by Ria Miller
Having lived in Ridgefield for 11 years hardly qualifies me as a native (I think you had to have been born here), but I thought I pretty well knew this town. Last fall, I had to bring my 86 and 82 year old mother and father up north for two months. I discovered a whole different side to the Ridgefield area. Not only is this area ideal for young families, but the services and attractions available to an older person rivals any retirement community in Florida (ok, maybe not the weather).
My father has been battling a serious illness for the last year and a half and my mother, the caregiver, was worn out. They were unable to stay at my house due to stairs and when my mother asked if my alternative arrangements were a good idea, I said with confidence that it would be fine (thinking, oh my God, is this going to work?).
My first good fortune was finding short term, wheelchair accessible housing in Ridgefield. The Ridgefield Apartments (203 431 0143) across from Stop and Shop are fantastic! Although not inexpensive, they were home away from home with beautiful new furnishings and a professional, ever ready management staff... My parents loved living there and it was right in the center of town.
Second, I found a very compassionate doctor at Danbury Hospital, Dr. Robert Cooper, Oncology-Hematology. He accepted my father as a patient without hesitation and treated him, along with his wonderful staff, in a respectable and kind manner.
Third, I had no shortage of entertainment to provide for my parents, all conducive to a wheelchair bound individual. There is a wheel chair accessible public service van from Sweet Hart buses (a very simple application available at town hall). We naturally made the rounds of all the stores in the Ridgefield area.
We also enjoyed the entertainment Ridgefield had to offer including the Ridgefield Theatre Barn, the Spinning Wheel Inn in Redding, and the Playhouse (although they could improve their accommodations for a wheelchair bound person). We never did make it to Founder's Hall, my father could not really concentrate on classes. We also enjoyed several nice restaurants in town, Toscana, the East Ridge Café, and especially Dimitri's Diner.
I do have to state that I am a Visiting Nurse at the Ridgefield VNA and therefore am comfortable in dealing with elderly clients but anyone is welcome to call the VNA for assistance. Ask to speak to the intake nurse, and if eligible, you can receive home care services for elderly parents under Medicare. You can also speak with the Social Worker, Laura Switzer, who runs a private pay program to assist the elderly in their homes.
My parents are back in Florida and enjoyed the stay here in Ridgefield
immensely. We all have very fond memories of spending valuable time
together and as we all know, that is priceless.
Ria Miller is on staff at the Ridgefield Visiting Nurses Association and teaches nursing in Westchester.