Seniors' Resources

Medication Tips

• Know the names of each medication you are taking.  
  

• Before leaving the doctor's office, ask the name of any new medication that has been prescribed for you.  
  
  
• Keep your doctor's phone number by the phone
  

• Get to know your pharmacist and the phone number of your pharmacy.
  

• Every time you fill a new prescription, ask the pharmacist to double-check to ensure that what you are given  is exactly what your doctor ordered.
  

• Report any uncomfortable side effects to your doctor's office immediately

Basic Safety Tips

• Do not give your house keys to workers who come to do repairs.
  

• Do not open your door unless you know who is on the other side.
  

• Keep emergency phone numbers posted near a telephone where you can see them.  Put by the phone the number of a friend or relative you can call on in case of difficulties of any kind.  Call for HELP!
  

• Be sure to have the phone number of your local police dept. and know the name of at least one officer who covers your area.
  

• Call and report suspicious activities in your building or neighborhood to either building security or to the Police Dept.
  

• Remember to lock all of your doors and the garage door
  

• Do not go out doors at night to investigate noices; call your building security or call the police.

Getting & Keeping Doctors Appointments

Write all doctors' appointments in a date book; put the appointment cards on the refrigerator where you can see and remember them.

Include the phone numbers of all providers next to the date of the appointment.

• Hamden Seniors - Call Hamden Elderly Services at (203) 287-2691 to arrange for a ride to your next doctor's appointment.  Call one week ahead to request your ride and give the time of your appointment.
  

• The Yale Mammography Van will be at the Skiff St Stop & Shop. Call 688- 6800 to set up an appointment.  They accept all forms of insurance.
  

Breast Cancer Screening Services for New Haven Seniors/Residents:

New Haven Seniors/Residents (or anyone who has transportation):

• New Haven Elderly Services - Atwater Senior Center - (203) 946-8558


• New Haven Health Dept - (203) 946-6999


• Director of Elderly Services, New Haven - 946-7854


• To request a ride to doctors' appointments, call (203) 387-7700


• Community Action Agency (781 Whalley Ave), or Logisticare (this is a toll-free number): Call 888 248-9895 (Require 2 business days notice)


• Interfaith Volunteer Caregivers of New Haven - (203) 230-8994
  (Require one week's notice and request)
  
• For seniors living in Fair Haven, the Fair Haven Health Clinic offers a range of services.
  Call 777- 7411 to get more information.


• For those living in the Hill, call Hill Health Center at 503-3000
  

Information about Buying on the Internet

• Do not enter the tracking number of your checking account on the Internet.
  

• No not give your credit card or your checking account number to anyone who calls selling you something.
  

• Do not give out your address to callers you do not know.
  

• Do not buy items over the Internet that you need to try on.  Be sure to buy ONLY from reputable companies that have a reasonable return policy.
  

• Ask for the rules regarding return policy before completing the transaction.
  

• If you cannot return it to the seller, do not buy it.  
  

• Shipped items often arrive damaged and should be returned to the seller.
  

• If you have any doubts at all, enlist the help of a trustworthy friend, neighbor or relative before buying on the Internet.

Tips On Getting Help In Your Home

• Be certain that anyone you hire is recommended by someone you know and trust.  Ask for evidence of the person's prior work.
  

• If it for a big job, call the state office that regulates that type of function, or call someone you trust so that he or she can help you.
  

• DO NOT HIRE someone who comes and knocks on your door offering to do work.
  

• Do not sign a contract until you have read and fully understand every word of it.  Ask questions; put all agreed to changes in writing in the contract .
  

• D not agree to pay any money before the work is at least half completed and you are satisfied.  Do not pay the final amount until the work is finished.
  

• Do NOT pay more than $10 in cash for any job.  If the job cost more than $10,  pay by check or money order.  Get a receipt!  DO NOT take out your purse and count out money in the presence of workers in your home.
  

• Do NOT keep a lot of cash in the house; do not leave cash lying around where workers who come to your house can see it.   Secure all of your valuables in a safe, out-of-the-way place.