Members tour the Keeler Tavern Museum and Gardens in Ridgefield.

November at a Glance

Wed., Nov. 4, 10am: Walk with Kate at Irwin Park

Thurs., Nov. 5, 10am: Breakfast & Learn "Balance & Fall Prevention" at Lapham

Fri., Nov. 6, 13, 20, 10am: Walk with Kate at Irwin Park

Tues., Nov. 10, 10am: Men's Coffee at Staying Put

Wed., Nov. 11, 12pm: Book Talk Group Lunch at Staying Put

Thurs., Nov. 12, 11am: Part 4 Fall Series "Staying Prepared" at Library

Sun., Nov. 15, 1-3pm: SLOBs move Patio Furniture

Tues., Nov. 17, 1:30pm: Writing Workshop with Elaine at Staying Put

Wed., Nov. 18, 10am: Ladies' Coffee with Arianne Kolb at Staying Put

Thurs., Nov. 19, 10am: Men's Coffee with Arianne Kolb at Staying Put

Thurs., Dec. 3, 12pm: Holiday Lunch at The Roger Sherman Inn

RSVP by Mon., Nov. 16.

Member Events

PLEASE RSVP BY THE STATED DATE FOR EACH EVENT. KNOWING THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO WILL ATTEND EACH EVENT HELPS THE STAYING PUT STAFF AND SPEAKERS TO PLAN FOR SPACE, FOOD, HANDOUTS, RIDES AND TO OFFER YOU THE BEST HOSPITALITY.

Welcome to Our Newest Members

Janet & Paul Duevel, Burton Dupee, Phyllis & Tacio Reyes

Aging Well: Four Keys to Living Stronger, Healthier and More Confidently

A 4-part series provided by Staying Put in partnership with New Canaan Library and Lapham Center.

Aging well isn't just about adding years to your life. It's about adding life to your years by maintaining your independence, confidence and quality of life. Staying Put, in partnership with the New Canaan Library and the Lapham Center are offering a 4-part series featuring local experts sharing practical strategies and resources for aging well. Whether you are planning for yourself or helping a loved one, you'll leave with useful information.

Maintaining Muscle After 60 with Nick Rutigliano and Jenn Zagarino) - Completed

Maintaining Your Health as You Age with Dr. Alison McElhone - Completed

Improving Your Sleep For Better Health with Dr. Dominic Roca - Completed

*If you would like slides on any of the completed sessions above, please call Staying Put at 203-966-7762.

Staying Prepared for Your Future

Thursday, November 12, 11am at New Canaan Library's Tate Room


Susan Doyle from Oasis Senior Advisors and Ashley Rutigliano, LMSW will talk about the various options and resources available as we age and our needs change. RSVP by calling the New Canaan Library at 203-594-5000.

Home Safety Assessments

A Free Home Safety Check Today Can Help You Stay Confident Tomorrow

Let’s be honest, most of us don’t think much about home safety until something goes wrong. A slip on the stairs. A near miss in the bathroom. A light switch that’s just a little too far away in the dark. The good news? You don’t have to wait for a tumble (or a dramatic story involving a hip and a hospital gown) to take action.

As part of your Staying Put membership, you are entitled to a free Home Safety Assessment, fully funded by Staying Put and conducted by the Family & Children’s Agency (FCA). It’s one of the easiest (and smartest) ways to support safe, confident aging at home.

Here’s how it works: friendly, professional FCA staff take a relaxed walk-through of your home, following the same path you take every day... bedroom to kitchen, hallway to stairs, tv room to garage, even down to the basement if you use it. They use a simple checklist tailored to how you live in your space. Nothing invasive, nothing judgmental, and absolutely no pressure.

In about a week you’ll receive a confidential report with observations and practical recommendations. These are often small tweaks that can make a big difference. And if you decide to make any changes, Staying Put is ready to refer our Trusted Service Providers to help.

Still on the fence? One of our members who tried the assessment, summed it up perfectly: it felt easy, respectful, and reassuring, and gave her confidence that her home will support her well for years to come.

This service is valuable, practical, and completely free. It’s included in your membership. So why not take advantage of it now, while you’re steady on your feet and feeling good?



Give us a call or email Staying Put to schedule your Home Safety Assessment. Your future self will thank you.

Hello from Kate

Earlier in October there was some fanfare about scientists who successfully collected the saliva of a tortoise. Did you see it? Hardly seems like groundbreaking news but here’s the thing – said tortoise is Jonathan. He is estimated to be 194 years old. One-hundred and ninety-four years old. This is based on the staggering fact that there is a photo of him from 1882. Eighteen Eighty-Two! It depicts him at full grown size which occurs around age 50; so honestly, he could be even older, but it would be passé to ask a tortoise their age. So what can we glean from this phenomenon? Jonathan is part of a species that skews older already but he is certainly an outlier making the fascination with his saliva pretty important. With the saliva, scientists have been able to code his DNA and draw some interesting conclusions about what sets him apart from the rest of his compatriots (and from us humans as well). But what I found most interesting in Jonathan’s narrative is not the status of his mitochondria, nor his BMI, it was just picturing Jonathan living through Queen Victoria’s reign, the publication of Darwin’s The Origin of Species, Abraham Lincoln’s Presidency - and every president thereafter! Civil wars, world wars, space exploration, medical and technological advancements - and probably an exhaustive list of personal caregivers over decades, and decades…and decades. Jonathan remains the constant and what’s more - he is (without anthropomorphizing too much here) quite content. His diet is steady, his surroundings constant, he socializes with younger tortoises and entertains tourists alike. At 194 Jonathan is essentially the picture of health so while we humans may not aspire to live to 194, we might want to take a cue from Jonathan and remember that slow and steady really does win the race.

Staying Put Library - Newest Addition

Community News and Events

SAME DAY REGISTRATION is available for those who missed an earlier deadline and wish to register on the same day that they vote. You may register in person and cast your ballot on the same day at Town Hall in the Registrars Office during the Early Voting period or on Election Day, November 3, from 6:00 am to 8:00 pm

Hours for Same Day Registration during the Early Voting period are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, except for October 27 and 29 when the hours are 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 pm.

Annual Leaf Collection Program

 Beginning Monday, November 2, Town of New Canaan Public Works will pick up leaves that have been raked to the curbside by homeowners in areas of one acre or less that are placed in a row, not a pile. The leaves will be recycled into garden compost, so they must be free of brush and debris and not be in plastic bags.

Leaves may be raked to the curbside until Sunday, November 29. Leaves put out after that date WILL NOT be collected by the Town.

Residents in the 2- or 4-acre zones of town are requested to compost their leaves on their own property. DPW Crews WILL NOT collect in those areas. 

Residents and yard maintenance contractors who are picking up leaves from New Canaan properties may deposit leaves at the Town’s Composting Facility located on Lapham Road near the entrance to Waveny Park. Contractors must have a proper permission form signed by the New Canaan property owner.

Ten Signs of Care Partner Burnout

adapted from the Navigator September Newsletter

Caring for someone living with dementia can be meaningful, loving, and deeply personal—but it can also be exhausting. Many caregivers put their own needs aside for long periods of time, sometimes without realizing how much stress they are carrying. Burnout is not a sign of weakness or failure. It is a sign that you may need more support, rest, and compassion for yourself.

1. Denial: It can be painful to accept that the disease is progressing. Some caregivers may find themselves hoping things are not as advanced as they appear.
2. Anger or frustration: Caregivers may feel upset when the person living with dementia can no longer do things they once did. These feelings are common and do not mean you love the person any less.
3. Social withdrawal: You may lose interest in hobbies, activities, or time with friends because caregiving has become overwhelming.
4. Anxiety: Worrying about future care needs, changing symptoms, finances, safety, or how to adjust can become emotionally draining.
5. Depression: The emotional ups and downs of the dementia journey can feel heavy. If sadness, hopelessness, or numbness lasts, it is important to reach out for support.
6. Exhaustion: Burnout can lead to physical, emotional and mental exhaustion. Even everyday chores and tasks may begin to feel difficult.
7. Sleeplessness: You may have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or feeling rested, even when you do have time to sleep.
8. Irritability: When stress builds up, caregivers may feel more impatient or reactive. Noticing this can be a helpful signal that you need a pause or additional support.
9. Difficulty concentrating: Burnout can make it harder to complete tasks, remember details, or stay focused.
10. Changes in your own health: Caregivers may notice their own health concerns worsening when their needs go unaddressed. Your health matters, too, and seeking care for yourself is an important part of caregiving.

If you are wondering whether you may be experiencing caregiver burnout, consider taking this caregiver stress quiz from the Alzheimer’s Association. It may help you reflect on what you are feeling and identify where more support could be helpful.

New Canaan Artisans Holiday Boutique

Preview Party: Thurs., Nov. 19, 6-8pm

Boutique: Fri., Nov. 20, 10am-4pm

New Canaan Library

Free Admission

Find those special crafts, knitted items and other holiday gifts for your friends and loved ones.

Lapham Community Center

Call 203-594-3620 for more information and to RSVP.

Thurs., Oct. 15 - Dec. 7 by appt - Medicare Counseling. Review and choose your plan. Free. By Appt Only.

Wed., Nov. 4, 11am - Medicare: What's New for 2027. Free. Registration Required.

Wed., Nov. 4, 18, 12:30pm - Blood Sugar & Blood Pressure Clinic. Free. RSVP.

Tues., Nov. 10, 1pm - Smart Phone Swiping & Gestures. Free. RSVP.

Thurs., Nov. 12, 2-4pm, by appt - Ask the Attorney with Nedder & Associates. 15 min. consultations. Free. By Appt Only - Call 203-594-3620.

New Canaan Library

Register for Events - Call 203-594-5000

Tues., Nov. 3, 10, 17, 24, 2pm-4pm - Open Tech. Help with email, smartphones/tablets, social media, etc. Free. Drop In - No Registration.

Gina Z. Blum

Executive Director

director@stayingputnc.org

Kim Herr

Manager of Operations

operations@stayingputnc.org

Kate Brambilla

Manager of Member Services

members@stayingputnc.org

Kristin Barnard

Office Assistant

assistant@stayingputnc.org

Office Hours

Monday-Thursday: 9am-5pm

Friday: 9am-1pm

Please call us anytime

203-966-7762

Gina, Kate, Kim & Kristin