Seniors: plan for the future
Get information about estate planning, a power of attorney and preparing for emergencies.
A guide to programs and services for seniors.
Find information on resources available for seniors in Ontario, including tax credits, health, caregiving, housing, transportation and staying safe.
Legal matters
Estate planning
Estate planning involves transferring someone’s assets, such as property or money, after they die.
You can use a power of attorney, wills and trusts for estate planning.
Power of attorney
A power of attorney is a legal document that gives someone you trust (called your “attorney”) the right to make decisions for you. This is if something happens and you are no longer able to look after matters on your own.
Learn more about a power of attorney.
A power of attorney kit will help you select the person you want to make decisions for you when you are no longer able to do so for yourself.
Wills, estates and trusts
Estate planning involves the transfer of someone’s assets (e.g. property, money) when they die, as well as a variety of other personal matters. Wills, estates, and trusts are all common tools used in estate planning.
Learn more about wills, estates and trusts.
Find legal advice
Lawyers can help you with all types of legal issues, like:
- wills
- power of attorney
- estate matters
- family or criminal matters
- real estate transactions
- administrative law matters
Get information on how to find a lawyer and obtain legal advice.
What to do when a loved one dies
Get information for what to do and what supports are available when a loved one dies in Ontario.
Advance care planning
Plan how you wish to be cared for if you become unable to make your own decisions.
You can:
- read about what every older Canadian should know about planning for possible loss of independence
- learn about the process of advance care planning and find helpful tools at Speak Up Ontario
- contact the Alzheimer Society of Ontario or your local Alzheimer Society chapter to see if they offer advance care planning seminars in your community
- print and fill-out a wallet card with important information in the event of an emergency
Prepare for emergencies
Be ready and prepare for emergencies, like ice storms, power outages or tornados.
Learn how seniors can prepare and download the Senior’s Emergency Preparedness Guide.
Fire safety
Get fire safety tips for older adults from the Office of the Fire Marshal, and fire safety tips for individuals with Alzheimer’s and related dementias.
Bringing an Awareness of Senior Safety Issues to the Community (BASSIC)
Members of BASSIC work with its partners to offer free presentations on a range of safety issues targeted at older adults.
Download the BASSIC Safe Seniors Calendar that offers tips and suggestions to help seniors stay safe and active in their homes and communities.
Scams, fraud and consumer issues
Some common consumer and financial scams and frauds are targeted at seniors.
Learn about:
- common scams, how to report them, and what to do if you think you’ve been scammed
- what every older Canadian should know about fraud and scams
- how to avoid common door-to-door scams for water heaters, home heating and other services
- what questions to ask when buying property, renting a water heater, and planning funeral, burial, cremation or scattering services
- businesses that have serious complaints or charges filed against them through the Consumer Beware List
Identity theft
Seniors are often targets for identity theft because many have spent a lifetime building solid credit ratings and growing their investments.
What to do if you’re the victim of a crime
Find information on programs, services and other initiatives to help victims of various crimes, including the multilingual Victim Support Line.