Elderly housing sites need community help

DERBY, Oct 01, 2008 (New Haven Register - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- HD | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- The Derby Housing Authority's three complexes for the elderly will get a spruce-up when the agency holds a "Community Cares" week Monday through Oct. 11, said Elaine Marcucio, resident coordinator who is in charge of activities.

The locations, Cicia Manor, Stygar Terrace and Lakeview Terrace, have a total of 106 units.

"We have just put in place an activities program for the seniors and we are trying to bring the community to them to help make their lives a little easier," said Marcucio.

"For this (Community Cares) week we are looking for businesses, groups, individuals and schools to help with painting the three community rooms, fixing a few benches and (with) monetary donations," she said.

The money will be used for supplies for bingo and for craft classes. Marcucio said she tries to coordinate the schedule with that of the Derby Senior Center, so that popular activities such as bingo are not held simultaneously.

Marcucio said she was grateful for the help of Home Depot. "They are supplying volunteers to help paint and are providing the paint," she said.

She hopes to find a local company willing to donate unused computers. "We are also in need of three computers, and three televisions to put on the wall for movies and educational programs," Marcucio said.

"I am also looking for a volunteer (to lead) a yoga class, seated exercise, knitting or quilting clubs," Marcucio said. "The program is designed to help seniors continue independent living and to let them know what services in our community are available to them. The winter months are coming and it is hard for them to go out, so the community rooms are all we have to host these great programs."

Cosmetology students from Emmett O'Brien Technical High School in Ansonia are scheduled to start visiting the locations to give residents manicures.

"I want to get the whole community involved," Marcucio said.

An educational program is planned for 6-8 p.m. Oct. 23 at Derby Neck Library, 307 Hawthorne Ave. Marcucio said "Aging in Place" will feature speakers from Birmingham Group Health Service, Life Line and the Area Agency on Aging.

The event is for residents and their families to learn about what the Housing Authority's facilities offer, Marcucio said.

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