Resources for Seniors and Families

1) OHaH (Ontario Health atHome, formerly HCCSS/LHIN/CCAC)

Ontario Health atHome provides home care and facilitates access to community support services. It also provides long-term care home placement services and can provide information about, and referrals to, other providers of health and social services.  Receive an assessment completed by a care coordinator to further determine eligibility and access a wide-range of government-funded or subsidized home and community care supports. 

To contact Ontario Health atHome, seven (7) days a week, 365 days a year call 310-2222 (no area code required). This service will automatically direct your call to the nearest office from your calling location. 

https://ontariohealthathome.ca/

2) Caregiver Supports

• Bereaved Families of Ontario 
  • Can assist through the grief journey for the death of a loved one. Phone: (416) 440-0290 

• Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence
  • Offers programs and support for caregivers and care providers. Phone: (416) 322-5928 

• Carers Canada
  • A national coalition dedicated to increasing recognition and support for caregivers. Phone: (905) 567-7373

• Ontario Caregiver Coalition
  • Advocating for recognition and support for caregivers. https://www.ontariocaregivercoalition.ca/contact

• Ontario Caregiver Organization
  • To improve the lives of Ontario’s caregivers. Phone: 1 (833) 416-2273 

• Ontario Health atHome Caregiver Resources
  • Resources and organizations helpful for caregivers. Phone: 310-2222 

• Powerful Tools for Caregivers (Self Management Ontario)
  • Caregivers can access weekly self-care classes. Phone: 1 (844) 301-6389 

3) Adult Day Programs

Programs that provide an opportunity for people who are frail, have physical challenges, cognitive impairments, or who may be experiencing social isolation to have a day out to socialize and engage in various recreational activities (e.g., music therapy, games, arts, baking, exercise). 

Please note that many Adult Day Programs (ADPs) in Ontario are partially subsidized by the provincial government, meaning that a portion of the cost for attending may be covered. We recommend contacting individual ADPs directly to confirm their specific costs, eligibility criteria, and available supports.  

• Circle of Care Adult Day Program
  • Phone: (905) 738-1128 (Open 7 days a week) 
• Adult Day Programs program in Ontario Health atHome Toronto Central Region

• Adult Day programs in Ontario Health atHome Central Region (includes North York, York Region, South Simcoe Region)

4) Health organizations and information

• Alzheimer Society of Canada
  • Leading charity for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Phone: (416) 488-8772 

• Alzheimer Society of Toronto
  • Connects individuals with Alzheimer’s with free counselling, support programs, and education. Phone: (416) 322-6560 

• Alzheimers Society of York Region
  • Provides support services, adult day programs, and education for individuals and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s and other dementias. Phone: 1 (888) 414-5550 

• Canadian Cancer Society
  • Funds cancer research, provides patient support, and promotes prevention and advocacy to reduce the impact of cancer in Canada. Phone:1 (888) 939-3333 

• Diabetes Canada
  • Offers education, research funding, advocacy, and support for people with diabetes. Phone: (416) 363-3373 

• Canadian Lung Association
  • Promotes lung health through education, research, and support services for people with lung conditions like asthma and COPD. Phone: (613) 569-6411 

• Canadian MedicAlert Foundation
  • Provides medical ID services to help protect people with medical conditions in emergencies. Phone:1 (800) 668-1507 

• Canadian Mental Health Association
  • Offers mental health services, advocacy, and resources to improve mental health and support recovery. Phone: (416) 646-5557 

• Canadian National Institute for the Blind
  • Provides programs and advocacy for Canadians who are blind or partially sighted. Phone:1 (800) 563-2642 

• Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
  • A leading mental health hospital and research center offering treatment, education, and support for addiction and mental illness. Phone: (416) 535-8501 

• Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada
  • Supports research, advocacy, and education for people living with Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Phone: (416) 920-5035  

• Find a doctor or nurse practitioner 
  • A health information service to help individuals locate family doctors or nurse practitioners in their area. Phone: 811 

• Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
  • Funds research and provides education and support to reduce the risk and impact of heart disease and stroke. Phone:1 (888) 473-4636 

• Multiple Sclerosis Society of Canada
  • Provides support, education, and funds research to improve the lives of people with multiple sclerosis. Phone:1 (800) 268-7582 

• Osteoporosis Canada
  • Educates and supports individuals in preventing and treating osteoporosis through programs and advocacy. Phone: (416) 696-2663|  Toll-free: 1 (800) 463-6842 (in Canada only) 

• Philips Lifeline, in association with Sinai Health – Medic Alert System
  • Offers personal emergency response systems to help seniors and people with medical conditions live independently. Phone:1 (866) 387-1548 

• Parkinson Society Canada
  • Provides support, education, and advocacy for people with Parkinson’s disease and funds related research. Phone:1 (800) 565-3000 

• The Arthritis Society
  • Offers resources, advocacy, and research funding to improve the lives of those affected by arthritis. Phone: 1 (800) 321-1433 

• The Kidney Foundation of Canada
  • Supports kidney health through education, patient support, and funding research into the prevention and treatment of kidney disease. Phone:1 (905) 278-3003 | Toll-free:1 (800) 387-4474 

5) Hospice

• Circle of Care Hospice
  • Supports individuals with terminal or life-limiting illnesses and their families. Phone: (416) 635-2860 

• Jewish Hospice Program – Jewish Family and Child
  • Offers emotional, financial, and practical support to individuals and their families. Phone: (416) 638-7800 

• Better Living Health and Community Services
  • Provides hospice support for individuals and caregivers. Phone: (416) 447-7244 ext. 541 

• Ontario Palliative Care Network
  • Provides accessible palliative care in Ontario. Find your palliative care region: https://www.ontariohealth.ca/about-us/our-programs/ontario-health-regions  

• HPCO Accredited Hospices
  • Find quality hospices accredited by HCPO. Phone: 1 (833) 621-0728 

6) Foot Care Services

• Circle of Care Spa Services (Vaughan)
  • Hair, foot, and wellness services for seniors. Phone: (905) 738-1128 (to book an appointment)

• Database of Toronto Foot Care Services
  • In-home foot care offering non-invasive treatments and personalized care advice. 

• Database of York Region Foot Care Services
  • In-home foot care offering non-invasive treatments and personalized care advice.

7) Long-term Care and Retirement Residences

• Canadian Association of Retired Persons
  • Advocates for senior healthcare, financial security, and rights. Phone: 1 (833) 211-2277 

• Long-Term Care Homes – Central
  • Find 24/7 care for people with complex medical or cognitive needs. 

• Long Term Care Planning Network
  • Provides tools and advice to plan for future long-term care needs. Phone: (416) 526-1090 

• Toronto Long-Term Care Homes
  • Learn about long-term care options in Toronto and the GTA. Phone: 1 (888) 733-1177 

• Subsidized Housing application
  • Apply for affordable housing support in Toronto. Phone: (416) 338-8888 

8) Extreme Cleaning, downsizing, decluttering, home staging and moving solutions, Snow Shoveling

• Red Coats
  • Provides personalized downsizing and home transition support for seniors. Phone: (416) 920-1317

• VHA Extreme Cleaning Toronto
  • Offers deep cleaning services for severely cluttered or unsanitary home environments. Phone: (416) 489-2500|  Toll-free: 1 (888) 314-6622

• CHATs Hoarding and De-Cluttering (York Region)
  • Supports individuals at risk of eviction due to hoarding or cluttered living conditions. Phone: (905) 713-6596 | Toll-free: 1 (877) 452-4287

• Snow Angels Canada
  • Connects seniors with volunteers to clear snow from driveways and walkways. Contact here: https://snowangelscanada.ca/contact-us/  

• Better Living Home Maintenance and Repairs
  • Helps seniors with minor home repairs and safety-related maintenance. Phone: (416) 447-5074 

9) Vulnerable Populations Abuse

• Circle of Care – Vulnerable Populations Abuse Program 
  • Connects individuals experiencing abuse with appropriate support services. Phone: (416) 635-2860 

• Advocacy Centre for the Elderly
  • Legal clinic offering free services for low-income seniors in Ontario. Phone: (416) 598-2656 | Toll-free: 1 (855) 598-2656 

• Elder Abuse– Toronto Police Service
  • Report elder abuse or get help via police or support line. Non-emergency: (416) 808-2222 | Crime stoppers (anonymous): 1 (800) 222-8477 (TIPS) | Emotion support: (416) 408-4357 (HELP) 

• Family Services Association
  • Offers counselling, education, and support for individuals and families facing life challenges. Phone: (416) 595-9618 

10) Helplines

• Toronto Seniors Helpline
  • Connect seniors to home care, crisis help, programs, and caregiver support. Phone: (416) 217-2077 (Available 365 days, 100+ languages) | Toll-free: 1 (877) 621-2077 

• Crisis Outreach for Seniors
  • Mobile crisis service offering mental health and crisis support for seniors. Phone: (416) 217-2077 (9am-5pm) 

• North York Seniors Hotline
  • Provides information, referrals, and support services for seniors living in North York. Phone: (416) 447-5200 

11) Useful Government Resources

• 311 Toronto
  • Access non-emergency City services 24/7 in over 180 languages. Phone: 311 

• Health811: a free, secure and confidential service you can call or access online 24 hours a day, seven days a week to get non-urgent health advice from a registered nurse or find health services or information. Dial 811 on your phone to access safe, high-quality care and avoid unnecessary visits to the emergency room.

• Government of Ontario
  • Information on provincial programs and services.

• Health Canada
  • Promotes health, regulates services, and reduces health risks for Canadians.

• Homemakers and Nurses Services
  • Offers household help for low-income individuals needing assistance at home. Phone: (416) 392-8579 

• Ministry of the Attorney General
  • Provides legal services and oversees Ontario’s justice system. Phone: (416) 326-2220 | Toll-free: 1 (800) 518-7901 

• Ministry of Health Assistive Devices program
  • Helps Ontario residents afford medical equipment and supplies. Grant applications: assistivedevicesprogram@opddp.ca  

• Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee
  • Protects legal and financial interests of incapable or vulnerable Ontarians. Phone: (416) 314-2800 | Toll-free: 1 (800) 891-0504 | TTY: 1 (833) 813-5696    

• Toronto Public Health (TPH)
  • Promotes public health through programs, services, and education. Phone: (416) 338-7600 | TTY: (416) 392-0658 

• Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)
  • Provides accessible public transportation throughout the City of Toronto. Phone: (416) 393-3030 | Toll-free:1 (866) 642-9882

• Regional Geriatric Program of Toronto
  • Offers a range of geriatric services for seniors. Phone: (416) 480-6026

• York Region Health
  • Delivers public health programs and services to support community wellness. Phone: 1 (877) 464-9675 | TTY: 1 (866) 512-6228 

• York Region Transit
  • Provides accessible public transportation throughout York Region. Phone: (905) 762-2100 | Toll-free: 1 (866) 668-3978 

12) Jewish Community Services

• Betel Centre
  • Offers programs, services, and social support for older adults 55+ in North Toronto. Phone: (416) 225-2112 

• Chai-Tikvah – Reena’s Mental Health Resource
  • Provides mental health support programs, advocacy, and family services. Phone: (905) 889-6484 

• Jewish Family and Child
  • Supports individuals, children, families, and communities by increasing safety and security. Phone: (416) 638-7800 ext. 6234 

• Jewish Immigrant Aid Services of Canada (JIAS)
  • Welcomes and supports newcomers, helping them integrate into Canadian Jewish life. Phone: (416) 630

• Jewish Russian Community Center of Ontario
  • Supports Jewish identity and culture through services for the Russian-speaking Jewish community. Phone: (416) 222-7105 

• JVS Toronto
  • Helps diverse individuals reach employment goals and builds inclusive partnerships with employers. Phone: (416) 787-1151 

• Miles Nadal Jewish Community Centre
  • Offers programs promoting wellness, culture, and connection for all ages. Phone: (416) 924-6211 

• Prosserman JCC
  • Provides inclusive fitness, cultural, and community programs to enrich Jewish life. Phone: (416) 636-1880 

• Reena
  • Supports people with developmental disabilities through housing, employment, and community inclusion programs. Phone: (905) 889-6484

• Schwartz/Reisman Centre
  • Offers wellness, creative, and spiritual programs for all ages. Phone: (905) 303-5233 

• UJA Federation
  • Fights Jewish poverty, funds education, and supports global Jewish communities in need. Phone: (416) 635-2883 

13) Locating Community Programs

• 211 Toronto
  • Connects people to non-clinical health and social services across the community. Phone: 211 

• A Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors in Ontario
  • Offers information on provincial programs and services for seniors. Toll-free: 1 (888) 910-1999 | TTY: 1 (800) 387-5559 

• COSTI
  • Provides employment, settlement, education, and social services for immigrants and new Canadians. Phone: (416) 658.1600 

• Family Services Association
  • Offers counselling, advocacy, and support for individuals and families facing life challenges. Phone: (416) 595-9618 

• Findhelp Information Services
  • 24/7 service connecting people to social, health, and crisis support resources. 24/7 Helpline: 211 | TTY: 1 (888) 340-1001 | Phone: (416) 392-4605 

• Ontario Community Support Association
  • Supports independent living through home and community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities. Phone: (416) 256-3010  | Toll-free: 1 (800) 267-OCSA (6272) 

• Ontario Home Care Association
  • Provides a wide range of in-home health and therapy services for all ages. Phone: (905) 543-9474 

• Toronto Central Healthline
  • Find health services and community programs in Toronto Central region. Phone: (416) 506-9888 ext. 2555 

14) Food Insecurity and Food Banks

• Aurora Food Pantry 
  • Offers monthly food support to individuals and families in financial need. Phone: (905) 841-1577 

• Chasdei Kaduri – Jewish Food Bank Toronto
  • Delivers weekly kosher food to thousands of in-need Jewish families across the GTA. Phone: (289) 963 5900 

• Food Banks – Toronto Central
  • Offers regular or emergency grocery support for individuals and families in need.

• Georgina Food Pantry 
  • Provides monthly four-day food supply to low-income residents of Georgina. Phone: (905) 596-0557 

• Markham Food Bank 
  • Supports Markham residents facing food insecurity through emergency food distribution. Phone: (905) 472-2437 

• Meals on Wheels Ontario
  • Delivers nutritious meals to seniors and individuals with disabilities or medical conditions. Circle of Care: (416) 635-2860 | West Neighbourhood House: (416) 532-4828 

• Newmarket Food Pantry 
  • Provides emergency 10–14 day food supply, including produce, toiletries, and pet food. Phone: (905) 895-6823 

• North York Harvest Food Bank
  • Provides immediate food needs for individuals and families in North York.  Phone: (416) 635-7771 ext. 0 

• Richmond Hill Community Food Bank 
  • Provides temporary emergency food assistance to those in need within Thornhill and Richmond Hill. Phone: (905) 508-4761 

• Vaughan Food Bank
  • Offers food support to Vaugn residents in temporary and ongoing need. Phone: (905) 851-2333 

15) Financial Services

• Canada Benefits
  • Check eligibility for federal government benefits and programs.

• City of Toronto Grants, Incentives and Rebates
  • Search for local financial support programs and rebates.

• Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS)
  • Monthly payments for low-income Ontario seniors. Phone: 1 (866) ONT-TAXS (668-8297) 

• Hardship Fund
  • Financial help for health-related expenses like dental, vision, and assistive devices. Phone: (416) 338-8888 (select option #3) 

• Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP)
  • Income and health-related support for people with disabilities. Toll-free: 1 (888) 999-1142 | Toll-free TTY: 1 (800) 387-5559 

• Ontario Drug Benefit Program
  • Covers prescription drug costs for eligible Ontario residents. Phone: (416) 642-3038 | Toll-free: 1 (800) 575-5386 

• Ontario Works (OW)
  • Financial and employment assistance for individuals in financial need. Toll-free: 1 (888) 999-1142 | TTY: 1 (800) 387-5559 

• Tax Credits and Benefits Ontario
  • Access provincial credits for seniors, families, students, and people with disabilities.

• Tax Free Clinics
  • Free tax return filing for low-income individuals with simple tax situations.

16) Legal Services

• Legal Aid Ontario – Provides free legal services if you cannot pay for a lawyer and have a complex criminal, family or immigration law problem.
• Community Legal Clinics – by postal code
• Legal Clinic for Seniors and Caregivers – free help with legal rights information, assistance in dealing with government offices, court and legal representation, legal consultation, educational workshops
• Pro Bono – free legal advice for up to 30 minutes, free assistance in preparing a simple will, and other services for low-income individuals
• Dying with Dignity – Advance care planning

17) Social Connections and Companionship

• Annie’s Gentle Care (York Region)
• Circle of Care Social Activities for Seniors (Virtual and in Person)
• Friendly Visiting Programs (North York)
• Mosaic Lifestyle Companions
• Seniors for Seniors

18) Recreation for Seniors

• Bernard Betel Centre
• Circle of Care Exercise and Falls Prevention (online and virtual)
• North York Seniors Centre
• Toronto Recreation
• York Region Recreation

19) Transportation

• Mobility Plus (York Region)
• iRide Plus (GTA)
• TTC Wheel Trans
• Other GTA fee for service accessible transportation options