General information

Call 9-1-1 if you find yourself in any situation where people are at risk and immediate action is needed.

Health811

Available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, this free service connects you to a registered nurse who can provide confidential health advice and general health information. You will be asked to describe your symptoms and answer questions. The registered nurse may then advise self-care, recommend a visit to a health practitioner or refer you to community resources nearest you. This service is available in both English and French, with translation support offered in other languages and a direct TTY number for those with hearing and speech difficulties. Learn more

Home and Community Care Support Services

On April 1, 2021, the Local Health Integration Networks (LHINs) began operating under a new name, Home and Community Care Support Services.

For more information on these services please see the home and community support services section of this guide. 

Finding a health care provider

The Ministry of Health helps with navigating Ontario’s health care system and connecting you with the programs or services you're looking for.

Patient Ombudsman

Ontario’s Patient Ombudsman investigates and helps to resolve complaints from patients and caregivers concerning public hospitals, long-term care homes and home and community care services that are provided or coordinated through Home and Community Care Support Services. Achieving a level of fairness for everyone involved in reviewing a complaint is key to their resolution process.

The Patient Ombudsman also makes recommendations to health sector organizations and provides reports to the Minister of Health which are made public on the Patient Ombudsman’s website.

To make a complaint, you can:

For general inquiries, you can email info@patientombudsman.ca

Public health

Public Health Units

Public Health Units offer healthy living programs and disease prevention information to all members of the community about healthy lifestyles, including sexual health, vaccinations, addictions, and healthy growth and development. Find a public health unit near you.

ServiceOntario INFOline

Colon Cancer Check

This program is the first province-wide, organized screening program designed to increase screening rates and reduce deaths from colorectal cancer, which is highly curable if detected early. Ontario has one of the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the world. Make sure you know the risk factors:

  • Are you between the ages of 50 and 74? Do you eat a healthy diet? Consider eating more fiber and avoiding red and processed meats.
  • Are you a smoker? If you smoke, seriously consider quitting. There is no safe tobacco product and no safe level of smoking.
  • Do you consume alcohol excessively? Abstain from drinking alcohol. If you do drink, follow the low-risk alcohol drinking guidelines for cancer prevention; less than 1 a day for women and less than 2 drinks a day for men.
  • Are you physically inactive? Get active! Those who are more active have lower risk of colorectal cancer.
  • Are you obese? Reach and stay at a healthy weight. Having more body fat may increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
  • Do you have a family history of colorectal cancer, particularly a parent, child or sibling?
  • Do you suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)?

If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, your doctor or nurse practitioner can help you reduce your risk of colorectal cancer and recommend the appropriate screening methods to catch this disease early. Learn more.

Ontario Health (Cancer Care Ontario)

Diabetes

Diabetes is a serious disease that, if neglected, can lead to serious, long- term health complications, including heart and kidney disease, stroke, blindness and amputation. While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, type 2 diabetes can be prevented with healthy eating, weight management and exercise. By making the right lifestyle choices, both types of diabetes can be managed. Early signs of diabetes should be taken seriously. See a doctor to have your blood glucose (sugar) checked.

Early signs include:

  • feeling more thirsty
  • frequent urination
  • a sudden weight change, either a gain or a loss
  • a lack of energy or feeling more tired than usual
  • blurred vision
  • infections that are more frequent or recurring
  • injuries, such as cuts and bruises, that are slow to heal
  • tingling or no feeling in your hands or feet
  • trouble getting or maintaining an erection.

Learn more.

The Ontario Monitoring for Health Program covers testing supplies for select groups, including Ontarian residents who use insulin and have no other funding for these supplies. The program is funded by the Ministry of Health and administered by the Canadian Diabetes Association.

Canadian Diabetes Association

Learn more about preventing diabetes and how to live with it if you’ve already been diagnosed.

Bone mineral density testing

Osteoporosis is a disease that can cause fragile bones and an increased risk of fractures. Bone mineral density testing measures bone loss due to osteoporosis. The results can help you and your doctor evaluate your risk of future fractures, determine the need for medical treatment and monitor the success of existing treatment. OHIP covers annual bone mineral density tests for individuals at high risk for osteoporosis and future fractures, and less frequent testing for lower-risk individuals. Learn more.

ServiceOntario

Osteoporosis Society of Canada

Immunizations

Immunizations help save lives and prevent serious illnesses. Ensuring that you are up to date with your immunizations can help protect you and your loved ones against certain vaccine preventable diseases, including COVID‑19.

Ontario offers the following free vaccines for adults, including those 65 years of age or older:

  • COVID‑19
  • Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (once in adulthood)
  • Tetanus and diphtheria (every 10 years)
  • Flu shot (every fall)
  • Pneumococcal (at age 65)
  • Shingles (two doses for individuals between the ages of 65 and 70).

Those over the age of 65 are at higher risk for complications from influenza and pneumonia. As a result, it’s important for seniors to get a free flu shot each year before influenza season begins, typically in October. Most seniors need to get the pneumonia vaccine only once to be protected and it can be given at any time of year. There are other vaccines that are recommended and free for seniors, especially those with certain medical conditions. Speak with your health care provider to ensure that all your immunizations are up to date.

For more information about Ontario’s publicly funded immunization programs or the vaccines, please contact your primary health care provider or your local public health unit.

HIV treatment

Sexual Health Ontario is a source of information about sexual health, HIV/AIDS, Hep C and/or needle exchange services. They will give you information on Ontario-specific HIV-related services.

Sexual Health Ontario

The Ontario AIDS Network (OAN) is a network of community-based organizations that provide HIV/AIDS education, outreach, prevention, and support/care programming and services for people with living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. For a list of members throughout Ontario, contact the OAN directly.

Ontario AIDS Network

The Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange (CATIE) is Canada’s source for current, unbiased information about HIV and hepatitis C. This organization provides people living with HIV or hepatitis C, at-risk communities, healthcare providers and community organizations with knowledge, resources and expertise to reduce transmission and improve quality of life.

The Canadian AIDS Treatment Information Exchange

The Ontario HIV Treatment Network (OHTN) is a non-profit organization that funds and conducts HIV research and provides education, capacity building, evaluation services, data collection and monitoring for HIV services in Ontario.

The Ontario HIV Treatment Network

Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP)

OHIP covers a wide range of health services that are medically necessary. As a resident of Ontario, you must have a valid Ontario health card to show that you are entitled to health care services paid for by OHIP.

Eligibility

Generally, as an Ontario resident you are eligible for provincially funded health coverage under OHIP if you:

  • are a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or have an OHIP-eligible immigration status as set out in Regulation 552 under Ontario’s Health Insurance Act.
  • are physically present in Ontario for 153 days in any 12-month period.
  • are physically present in Ontario for at least 153 days of the first 183 days immediately after establishing residency in the province.
  • make your primary place of residence in Ontario.

OHIP coverage normally begins three months after the date you establish residency in Ontario. If you are a new or returning resident, you are strongly encouraged to purchase private health insurance in case you become ill during the OHIP waiting period. Please note that in response to COVID‑19, Ontario removed the waiting period for OHIP so that immediate coverage is provided to eligible new or returning residents. The removal is a temporary measure and the waiting period may be reinstated at a future date.

Apply for OHIP and get a health card.

Ontario Health card

Residents of Ontario must have a valid health card to show that they are entitled to health care services paid for by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). Your health card is to be used only to access health care services. Do not show your card or give your health card number to anyone except a health care provider when you receive services or to the Ministry of Health. Either a photo health card or a red and white health card is currently acceptable to access insured health services provided the card is valid and belongs to you. Learn more about red and white cards below.

Renewals

Ontario has paused renewal requirements for health cards to provide immediate relief to Ontarians during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In most cases, your photo health card will have an expiry date that matches your birthday.  When your health card expires, you may need to visit a ServiceOntario Centre to renew your card and have another photo taken. Before going in person, check if you are eligible to renew online.

Red and white cards

If you still use a red and white health card, it’s time to switch to a more secure photo health card. It’s free to switch to a photo health card and doing so will help protect Ontario’s health-care system against potential fraud.  Learn more about switching to a photo health card.

Renewal reminders

ServiceOntario has ended courtesy mailed renewal notices for most Ontarians in favour of digital reminders. You can sign up for digital reminders and see the full list of Ontarians who will continue to receive renewal notices in the mail at ontario.ca/reminders.

Paper renewal notices for photo health cards will still be mailed to people aged 70 or older and those living in a publicly funded long-term care facility, approximately three months prior to the expiry date shown on the front of their card. However, they can still renew up to six months prior to this expiry date.

If you are 80 years of age or older, you may have the option of renewing by mail. The renewal reminder will confirm if this option is available to you and will give you your next steps.

If you cannot visit a ServiceOntario centre for a medical reason, you must have a physician or nurse practitioner fill out a Health Card Medical Exemption Request form. The completed form, along with your required documents, must be brought into a ServiceOntario centre by someone else on your behalf to finish the renewal.

ServiceOntario

Ontario health cards
Switch to a photo health card

What’s covered

Physician services

The ministry covers all insured medically necessary services provided by your physicians. Physicians may bill you for uninsured services (such as requiring a sick note) if you miss an appointment or if your health card is not valid.

Dental services in hospital

OHIP pays for some dental surgery when it’s medically necessary to be performed. You must pay the cost of regular dental services in a dentist’s office. (See additional Dental Care information below)

Eye care

A yearly routine eye examination is covered for people:

  • 19 years or younger
  • 65 years or older.

Patients aged 20-64 with certain conditions may also be eligible for insured eye examinations by an optometrist or physician. Speak to your primary health care provider to learn more. If you are receiving assistance under the Ontario Disability Support Program, Ontario Works or the Family Benefits Program, you are covered for routine eye examinations once every two years.

Services from other health care providers

You may need to pay the full or partial cost of services provided by other health care providers, such as podiatrists, chiropractors and physiotherapists. Contact the Ministry of Health if you have questions about services provided by other health care providers.

See a full list of services covered by OHIP

Northern Health Travel Grant

If you live in northern Ontario and have to travel long distances for specialty medical care, you may be eligible for this grant. Learn more.

Services in other Canadian provinces and territories

Many of your Ontario health insurance coverage benefits can be used across Canada. The province or territory you are visiting will usually bill Ontario directly for insured physician or insured hospital services but can choose to bill you directly. If you have to pay for insured health services you receive in another part of Canada, check the ministry’s website for instructions on submitting your receipts for consideration of reimbursement. Only insured physician and insured hospital services are covered when you are in another province or territory; therefore items such as prescription drugs from pharmacies or services such as home care, ambulance and long- term care provided in other provinces and territories are not covered.

Services outside Canada

For people travelling outside Canada, OHIP covers certain doctor and emergency services at limited rates. If recommended by your Ontario doctor, OHIP may cover some medical services in a licensed hospital or facility outside Canada, but you must get written prior approval from the Ministry of Health before you receive the services. If you are planning to travel outside Canada, you are strongly advised to purchase supplementary insurance as emergency health services provided abroad generally cost much more than OHIP may pay.

MedsCheck

This free program allows you to schedule a 20- to 30-minute one-on-one discussion with your pharmacist to make sure you’re using all your medications in a safe and proper way.

Any Ontario resident taking three or more medications for a chronic illness; living in a licensed long-term care home; or living with diabetes can use this program. If you take three or more prescriptions for a chronic illness but can’t get to a pharmacy, you might also be eligible for an at-home visit with your pharmacist.

Ministry of Health

Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) Program

If you’re 65 or older and have a valid health card, you are eligible for the Ontario Drug Benefit program. You don’t have to apply for coverage. If the Ministry of Health has your correct mailing address, you will receive a letter notifying you of your ODB eligibility about two months before you turn 65. The ODB program is for Ontario residents only. Prescriptions must be filled in an Ontario pharmacy to be covered. Make sure your Ontario health card is valid (for example, it hasn’t expired).

Your benefits will begin on the first day of the month after you turn 65. At that point, you simply take your prescription and your health card to the pharmacy and tell the pharmacist that you are eligible for the ODB program. Your pharmacist will check your eligibility on the government’s Health Network System. If you change your address, you must inform the ministry. You can update your address online at or at a ServiceOntario centre.

Ontario Drug Benefit Program

Co-payments and deductibles

The ODB benefit year starts on August 1st. Most seniors will pay the first $100 of their prescription drug costs (the deductible) at their pharmacy every year. You pay your deductible when purchasing approved prescription products. Once the deductible is paid, most seniors will then be asked to pay up to $6.11 for each approved prescription filled (the co-payment) until the beginning of the next benefit year.

Seniors Co-Payment Program

Under the Seniors Co-Payment Program (SCP), lower income seniors can apply to have their $100 deductible waived and their co-payment reduced to $2.00 to fill a prescription for an approved product. To qualify, you must be either:

  • a single senior with a net annual income of $22,200 or less,
  • or a senior couple with an income of $37,100 or less.

You need to apply for this program. For an application, you can either:

Trillium Drug Program

If you have high prescription drug costs, you may be able to pay $2 or less for every prescription.

You should apply if you:

  • live in Ontario and are under 65 years of age
  • have a valid Ontario health card number
  • do not already qualify for the Ontario Drug Benefit program (for example, you are not enrolled in a program such as Ontario Works)
  • do not have an insurance plan that pays for 100% of your drugs
  • spend about 4% or more of your after-tax household income on prescription-drug costs.

To find out more about the Trillium Drug Program and eligible prescription costs

What’s covered

The Ontario Drug Benefit program covers most of the cost of approximately 5,000 drug products and therapeutic substances on the ODB Formulary and about 1,000 drug products upon meeting specified criteria through the Exceptional Access Program. While the list of benefits is extensive, it does not include every drug that may be prescribed for a patient.  You can check if a drug is covered through the ODB Program through this search tool.

The ODB Program covers the same drugs regardless of whether the patient is a senior or enrolled in the TDP. To qualify, an Ontario doctor or nurse practitioner must prescribe the drugs and you must buy them from an accredited Ontario pharmacy.

The Exceptional Access Program may, in some cases, cover prescription drugs that are not on the approved ODB list. A doctor must apply on your behalf.

The following products are not covered by the ODB program:

  • prescription drugs that you buy outside Ontario.
  • prescription drugs that you buy at your doctor’s office.

Diabetic testing agents

These are products that diabetics use to test their blood sugar levels and ketone levels in their urine. If you are eligible for coverage through the ODB program, have diabetes and have a prescription for the approved diabetic testing agent from an Ontario doctor, the program will cover the costs of diabetic testing agents on the ministry’s approved list. The Ontario Drug Benefit program covers the cost for a maximum number of diabetic testing strips based on your current treatment method and clinical guidelines set by the Canadian Diabetes Association. If you want more than the maximum quantity, you must pay for it yourself.

It is understood that there may be exceptional clinical circumstances where you require more frequent testing. Your physician may prescribe you an additional 100 test strips at a time if it has been determined that you need more test strips for exceptional circumstances. If additional testing strips are needed, please consult with your physician. Learn more.

Ontario Drug Benefit Program

Dental care

While you must pay for the cost of regular dental services provided in a dentist’s office, OHIP will cover some dental surgery that by medical necessity must be provided in a hospital. If you are a resident of a long-term care home, you will be given a dental assessment upon admission and will receive ongoing oral care by qualified dental professionals on a fee-for- service basis. If you need treatment or services not provided by your facility, you will be referred to a dentist or other professional of your choice. You or your representative must authorize and pay for those services.

Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP)

This program provides free, routine dental services for eligible low-income seniors in Ontario who are 65 years of age or older, have no other form of dental benefits and meet the following income requirements:

  • an annual net income of $22,200 or less for a single senior
  • a combined annual net income of $37,100 or less for a couple

Coverage includes:

  • check-ups, including scaling, fluoride and polishing
  • repairing broken teeth and cavities
  • x-rays
  • removing teeth or abnormal tissue (oral surgery)
  • anesthesia
  • treating infection and pain (endodontic services)
  • treating gum conditions and diseases (periodontal services)

Dental prosthetics (prosthodontic services), including dentures, will be partially covered. Please speak to your local public health unit for more information.

Assistive Devices Program

If you are an Ontario resident with a long-term physical disability, you may be eligible to receive funding assistance from this program towards personalized assistive devices to help you live more independently. Any Ontario resident with a valid Ontario Health card who has a long-term physical disability and requires the use of a device for six months or longer can apply for funding assistance. Each device category has specific eligibility requirements that must be met.

The Assistive Devices Program pays up to 75 per cent of the cost of equipment, such as wheelchairs, respiratory devices, visual aids and custom fabricated orthotic devices.

The Assistive Devices Program also pays up to 75 per cent of the cost of equipment for home oxygen therapy equipment and related services for seniors 65 years of age or older and for individuals 64 years of age or younger who are on social assistance, residing in a long-term care home or who are receiving professional services through Home and Community Care Support Services. For other equipment, such as hearing aids, the program contributes a fixed amount. For items such as ostomy supplies, breast prostheses and needles and syringes for seniors, the program will pay a grant directly to the person.

Ministry of Health

Ambulance services

If you have a valid health card and your use of an ambulance is deemed medically essential by an attending doctor, you won’t be billed for ambulance trips between Ontario medical facilities (for example, between two hospitals), but you will be billed a co-payment fee of $45 for an ambulance trip to a hospital from any other location (for example, your home). You don’t have to pay this fee if you are receiving social assistance, living in a long-term care facility licensed or approved by the Ministry of Long-Term Care, receiving certain home care services or meet other exemption criteria. Learn more.

If your ambulance trip is deemed not medically essential by an attending doctor or you do not have a valid Ontario health card, you will be billed an ambulance service co-payment charge of $240 for each land ambulance trip or the actual cost of an air ambulance trip. Learn more about ambulance services billing.

Find more information about ambulance services or pre-hospital care (including help with concerns or complaints).

Non-ambulance patient transportation services

Using an ambulance may not be the most appropriate transportation option for patients who are medically stable but require access to care. In these instances, long-term care homes and hospitals may arrange for private (for-profit or non-profit) patient transportation services to perform these routine transports.

These non-ambulance patient transportation services are not:

  • regulated by the Ministries of Health and Long-Term Care
  • covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan.

\With the exception of transports between hospitals (which are covered by hospitals), passengers are typically responsible for covering the costs of these services, although there may be some programs to help offset costs for some patients, including:

  • the Ministry of Long-Term Care’s High Intensity Needs Fund, which covers costs of eligible long-term care home residents who need to travel to and from hospital for dialysis treatments.
  • the Ministry of Health’s Northern Health Travel Grant, which provides travel grants for eligible patients who must travel 100km or more one-way to access (i) the closest medical specialist, or (ii) ministry funded health facility services that are not available locally.

Provincial Geriatrics Leadership Ontario

Ontario's network of specialized geriatric services work in collaboration with primary care physicians, community health professionals and others to meet the needs of older adults living with complex and chronic health conditions. For information about services, see the contact information below.

Mental health and addictions

Almost 30% of Ontarians will experience a mental health or addiction problem at some point in their lives.

If you or someone you know needs support, Ontario offers several options for free, confidential help with mental health and addiction concerns. Learn more.

Find mental health and addiction services in your community.

Specialized Geriatric Mental Health Outreach Programs

These programs provide assessment, consultation, treatment and education to seniors with serious mental illness, as well as to their families and service providers. In most cases, seniors with mental illness or their families can directly access these programs or they can be referred through a family doctor. To find out about a program in your area, contact your family doctor.

Inpatient and outpatient services at hospitals

There are over 85 hospitals across the province that have inpatient psychiatry beds that provide acute, short-term treatment for people with mental illness.

A number of the province’s specialty psychiatric hospitals have inpatient beds that provide treatment for seniors with serious mental illness who   have longer-term hospitalization needs. Many of these facilities also have outpatient mental health programs for seniors with mental illness, including day treatment programs and outpatient clinics.

In the case of a psychiatric emergency, contact or go to the hospital emergency department nearest you.

To access hospital-based psychiatric services for seniors, contact your family doctor.

Some Home and Community Care Support Services may also offer mental health services for seniors.

To contact Home and Community Care Support Services, you can call 310-2222 (no area code required) or use the online map locator to find services in your community.

Lean more.

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH)

CAMH is Canada’s leading addiction and mental health organization providing comprehensive, accessible care for people suffering from addiction or mental illness. CAMH’s Geriatric Inpatient Services consist of two 24/7 Geriatric Admission Units with a focus on the acute stabilization of symptoms and active treatment that integrate mental health and addictions with geriatric perspectives.

The service specializes in dementia care, and serves those with various subtypes of dementia including Alzheimer’s Dementia, Lewy Body Dementia, Fronto-temporal Dementia, and Vascular Dementia among others, with a particular focus on developing care plans tailored to the goals and values of the individual clients and their families.

The service is intended for seniors 65 years old or older, with both long-standing and newly diagnosed psychiatric disorders, including mood, psychotic, anxiety, and concurrent disorders as well as psychiatric conditions which may arise from medical conditions or substances/medications. Individuals 60 to 64 years of age who are suffering from an age-related dementia may also be considered for this program.

Geriatric Inpatient Services (24/7)

For many older adults, the COVID‑19 pandemic has made several common mental health concerns, such as grief and social isolation, more difficult to navigate. The Understanding Mental Health and Well-Being in Later Life team at CAMH wants to help older adults navigate these concerns and learn where to access help.

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario

CMHA Ontario is a non-profit, charitable organization committed to improving services and support for people living with mental illness and   their families. The association provides community mental health services in branches located across Ontario and develops public policy advice that promotes mental health for all Ontarians. Find CMHA in your area.

CMHA Ontario

If you or someone you know is in immediate crisis or has suicide-related concerns, call or text the Canada Suicide Prevention Helpline.

ConnexOntario

ConnexOntario provides free and confidential health services information for people experiencing problems with alcohol and drugs, mental illness or gambling by connecting them with services in their area. ConnexOntario’s knowledgeable and experienced staff support Ontarians via phone, live web-chat and email 24/7, and offer supportive listening to help you discover the resources you need from their comprehensive database.

Smoking cessation

Tobacco products continue to be the number one preventable cause of death and disease. Tobacco use and exposure to second-hand smoke is associated with the development and progression of chronic diseases, such as cancer, respiratory and heart diseases. These diseases may lead to mobility restrictions and a decline in physical function. Quitting smoking can enhance your quality of life and reduce your risk of illness and death. Counselling is a proven intervention strategy that greatly increases the chance that a smoker will quit. Learn more.

Visit Health811 or call 811 for supports to help you quit smoking.

Smokers' Helpline is a free, non-judgmental, confidential service operated by the Canadian Cancer Society offering support and information about quitting smoking, vaping and tobacco use. Bilingual services are offered online and by phone toll-free at 1-877-513-5333.

The Ontario Drug Benefit program can help you quit smoking. It offers:

  • up to a year of pharmacist-assisted counselling (talk to your pharmacist or health care provider)
  • drugs for treatment if you are age 18 years or older

ServiceOntario

Fall prevention

Falls are the leading cause of injury among seniors and roughly half of these falls occur at home. Every year, approximately one-third of seniors fall and often experience serious consequences to their health, independence and quality of life.

Fortunately, many falls are preventable.

Reduce your risk by following these tips:

  • Exercise regularly. Adults aged 65 years or older should complete at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic physical activity per week, in bouts of 10 minutes or more. If you have poor mobility, physical activity can help you enhance your balance and prevent falls. Make sure you have proper footwear that includes rubber soles, low heels and laces or Velcro that securely fasten.
  • Take a bone density test. Osteoporosis is a disease that makes bones brittle and more likely to break during a fall. At least 80 per cent of broken bones in older adults are related to osteoporosis, with older women at greatest risk of developing the disease. Ask your doctor for a bone mineral density test to determine your risk.
  • Know your medications. Taking several medications increases your chance of falling. Speak to your doctor about all the medications you are taking to learn why you are taking them, what side effects they have (such as drowsiness or dizziness) and if there are alternatives.
  • Reduce home hazards. These include loose carpets and cords on the floor, items blocking the stairs and poor lighting. Also consider installing assistive devices, such as grab bars or raised toilet seats.

Osteoporosis Canada

To order related publications from the Public Health Agency of Canada, including the Safe Living Guide—A Guide to Home Safety for Seniors, You CAN Prevent Falls!, and Steps to Stair Safety at Home, visit their website or call toll-free at 1-800-OCa-nada (622-6232).

Nutrition

Find a registered dietitian with Health811

This program connects you to a Registered Dietitian who can provide free advice on food and healthy eating. This service is confidential and available in both English and French, with translation support offered in other languages. Learn more.

Health811

Eating well with Canada’s Food Guide

For years, this guide has helped Canadians find the right balance of nutrition and activity to stay fit and healthy. You don’t have to give up foods you love for the sake of your health, but you do need to aim for variety and moderation. Eating well with Canada’s Food Guide can help you make good choices.

Office of Nutrition Policy and Promotion

Dietitians of Canada

This association of food and nutrition professionals is committed to the health and well-being of Canadians. It produces a variety of resources that can help you make healthy food choices, learn more about the role of nutrition in health and find a dietitian in your area.

Hearing Care Counselling Program

This program is designed to help seniors (55+) stay connected, independent and confident, offering information on communication devices and other available services in the comfort of their own home. Counsellors provide home visits, education, demonstrations and recommendations on communication devices.

Canadian Hearing Society

MedicAlert® Safely Home®

Over time, a person living with dementia may have trouble problem-solving, communicating and recognizing their surroundings. As a result, they are at risk of becoming lost, even in familiar places. MedicAlert Safely Home provides support for families and caregivers, people with dementia who are lost, and members of the community who find them.

MedicAlert Safely Home was created through a partnership between MedicAlert Foundation Canada and the Alzheimer Society of Canada. One year of the MedicAlert Safely Home service is $60. Learn more.

Veterans receiving health benefits through Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) may be eligible for the VAC assistance program to cover the cost of signing up with this service. 

Finding Your Way®

To enhance the safety of people with dementia who may wander or become lost, and support their caregivers and communities, the Alzheimer Society of Ontario delivers this program in collaboration with local societies across the province. This program raises awareness about the risks for people with dementia who may wander and go missing, and offers practical advice for these individuals, their families and caregivers, and communities about how to how to respond most effectively should such an incident occur.

Finding Your Way®

Alzheimer Society of Ontario

For Indigenous seniors

Non-Insured Health Benefits (NIHB) for First Nations and Inuit

NIHB is a national program that provides coverage to registered First Nations and recognized Inuit for a specified range of medically necessary items and services that are not covered by other plans and programs. Coverage for benefit claims for a specified range of drugs, dental care, vision care, medical supplies and equipment, short-term crisis intervention, mental health counselling and medical transportation are available. Learn more.

Non-Insured Health Benefits Ontario

Culturally Appropriate Primary Care Services for Indigenous Seniors

Aboriginal Health Access Centres (AHACs)

AHACs are Indigenous, community-led primary health care organizations. They provide a combination of traditional healing, primary care, cultural programs, health promotion programs, community development initiatives, and social support services to First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities. There are currently ten AHAC s in Ontario, providing services both on and off- reserve, in urban, rural and northern locations. The Alliance for Healthier Communities can provide you with contact information for the AHAC closest to you.

Alliance for Healthier Communities

Aboriginal Community Health Centres (ACHCs)

Aboriginal Community Health Centres (ACHCs) offer a blend of traditional Aboriginal approaches to health and wellness with primary health care in culturally appropriate settings. There are currently two ACHCs in Ontario.

Anishnawbe Health Toronto (three locations)
225 Queen Street East: 416-360-0486
179 Gerrard Street East: 416-920-2605
213 Carlton Street: 416-657-0379

Misiway Milopemahtesewin (Timmins)
130 Wilson Avenue: 705-264-2200

Indigenous Interprofessional Primary Care Teams (IIPCTs)

Indigenous Interprofessional Primary Care Teams (IIPCTs) are community-driven Indigenous-governed organizations that may include traditional healers and helpers, medicine people, family physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, mental health and addictions workers and a range of other health care providers who are committed to working together in an interprofessional model of holistic health and well-being. Programs and services and the delivery of traditional, land-based and culturally safe primary health care is unique to each community.

Mamaway Wiidokdaadwin "Everyone Helps" Indigenous lnterprofessional Primary Care Team (two locations)

Barrie Clinic
125 Bell Farm Road, Suite 200
Barrie, Ontario
L4M 6L2
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
705-503-9554

Orillia Clinic
210 Memorial Drive, Unit 112
Orillia, Ontario
L3V 7V1
Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
705-259-9520

Dilico Anishinabek Family Care Primary Care Health Team
200 Anemki Place
Fort William First Nation, Ontario
P7J 1L6
807-623-8511
Toll-free: 1-855-623-8511

Matawa Health Cooperative Inc. Indigenous Interprofessional Primary Care Team
233 South Court Street
Thunder Bay, Ontario
P7B 2X9
807-346-2370

Tsi Kanonhkhwatsheriyo IIPCT (A place where there is good medicine)
PO Box 721
Deseronto, Ontario
K0K 1X0
343-478-0196
iipct@mbq-tmt.org

North Bay Indigenous Interprofessional Primary Care Team
1040 Brookes Street
North Bay, Ontario
P1B 2N6
705-995-0060
info@gmghub.ca

Sioux Lookout Area Primary Care Team
61 Queen Street
Sioux Lookout, Ontario
P8T 1B8
807-737-1802
Contact form

Sweetgrass Health Centre
207 6th Street, Unit 3
Cochrane, Ontario
P0L 1C0
705-913-2043
hello@sghc.ca

Mino M’Shki-ki Indigenous Health Care Team
421 Shepherdson Road
Temiskaming, Ontario
705-647-7855

Wasauksing First Nation Indigenous Primary Healthcare Team
1508 Geewadin Road, Lane G
Wasauksing First Nation Community Complex
Parry Sound, Ontario
P2A 2X4

National Aboriginal Diabetes Program

This program raises awareness about diabetes and offers culturally appropriate programs and services for those affected by the disease.

Contact Coordinator at 204-927-1221 or coordinator@nada.ca

Substance use treatment centres for First Nations and Inuit

Health Canada provides funding to First Nations and Inuit communities to set up and run substance abuse treatment programs. These programs offer many services to help individuals and families who are affected by substance abuse. Learn more.

For information on treatment services, contact the Ontario Region's National Native Alcohol and Drug Abuse Program (NNADAP) Manager at 807-343-5352. You can also contact the main Ontario Regional Office at 613-668-6411.

For Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (2SLGBTQIA+) seniors

Rainbow Health Ontario (RHO)

This organization works to improve the health and well-being of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community through education, research, outreach and public policy advocacy. It also provides training on a range of health and wellness issues, including those that focus on 2SLGBTQIA+ seniors. A program of Sherbourne Health, Rainbow Health Ontario (RHO) creates opportunities for the healthcare system to better serve LGBT2SQ communities. For example, RHO:

  • promotes better 2SLGBTQIA+ health outcomes by improving access to relevant and appropriate care
  • offers training for healthcare providers across the province to feel more clinically and culturally competent in caring for their 2SLGBTQIA+ service users
  • produces evidence-based print and web resources
  • acts as a research catalyst and contributes an 2SLGBTQIA+ health perspective to public policy processes; and
  • hosts Canada’s largest 2SLGBTQIA+ health conference.

RHO’s work includes building capacity for trans health care across Ontario through clinical and cultural competency training, mentoring and fostering networks, and resources and consultation.

For veterans

Veterans Independence Program

Eligible veterans can access various health benefits, including medical, surgical and dental care, prescription drugs and hearing/vision aids through Veterans Affairs Canada. In addition, programs such as the Veterans Independence Program help qualified veterans and others remain healthy and independent in their own homes and communities.

Veterans Affairs Canada