Seniors: safety and security
Find information on legal services, wills, advance care planning, scams, elder abuse and preparing for emergencies.
Legal needs and services
Make a power of attorney
Learn about appointing someone you trust to make important financial and health care decisions on your behalf.
Law Society of Ontario
Connect to a lawyer or licensed paralegal to help you determine your rights and options.
Legal Aid Ontario
If you qualify financially and have a legal issue, get help paying for a lawyer to represent you.
ACE: Advocacy Centre for the Elderly
If you’re 60 years and older, get help with legal services in the Greater Toronto Area, and outside of Toronto if the case is of significance to the seniors' community.
CLEO: Community Legal Education Ontario
Find information to understand and exercise your legal rights, including family law, housing law, employment law, immigration law and more.
ARCH Disability Law Centre
Get legal advice about disability rights law.
HALCO: HIV & AIDS Legal Clinic Ontario
Find a variety of services through this non-profit organization, including free legal assistance if you are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS.
The Human Rights Code
Learn how the Code was established to prohibit discrimination based on age in the areas of employment, services, goods, facilities, housing accommodations and more.
Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee
Learn how the Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee safeguards the legal, personal and financial interests of specific Ontarians and their estates.
Advance care planning
Make choices while you are competent about how you wish to be cared for in the future (if you become incapable):
- read what every older Canadian should know about planning for possible loss of independence
- find helpful tools, at Advance Care Planning Ontario, and learn about the process of advance care planning
- contact a local Alzheimer’s Society chapter to see if they offer advance care planning seminars in your community
- print and fill-out your substitute decision-maker wallet card with important information in the event of an emergency
Organ and tissue donation
Register your consent for organ and tissue donation to help those waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.
Scams, fraud and consumer issues
Consumer Protection Ontario
Before, during or after you make a purchase, learn your rights and find the information you need to know to protect yourself, including:
- identifying a scam or fraud
- door-to-door sales and home service contracts
- planning funerals and arrangement
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Find information on the impact of past and current scams affecting Canadians and report on fraud and cybercrimes.
Ontario Securities Commission
Protect yourself from fraud. Search for an individual or company to find out if they are registered before you invest.
GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca
Get unbiased and independent financial tools to help you make better financial decisions.
Elder abuse
Seniors Safety Line
Talk to a counsellor for free and confidential emotional support if you are a senior experiencing abuse or neglect. Available in more than 200 languages. Toll-free: 1-866-299-1011.
Information about elder abuse
Learn more about the signs and types of elder abuse and what to do if you or someone you know is being abused.
Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario
Get support if you’ve been affected by abuse. Find information and webinars about elder abuse.
Action ontarienne contre la violence faite aux femmes
Learn how this Francophone feminist organization works to prevent violence against women, provides ongoing training for workers, develops French-language services and produces education and awareness materials in French.
Prepare for emergencies
9-1-1
In any emergency, call
Get prepared
Learn about the risks in your area, how to create a household emergency plan and build an emergency kit.
Alert Ready: Emergency Alert System
Check if your phone is compatible with receiving critical and potentially life-saving alerts.
Emergency Management Ontario
Learn how Ontario prepares for, and responds to, emergencies. Access resources to support emergency management and preparedness.
Public Safety Canada
Learn how the Government of Canada works with other levels of government, first responders, community groups, the private sector and other nations on national security, border strategies, countering crime and emergency management issues and other safety and security initiatives.
BASSIC: Safe Seniors Calendar
Download the annual Safe Seniors Calendar. It gives you tips and suggestions to help you stay safe and active in your home and community.
Fire prevention and protection
Learn how to protect your home, loved ones and property from the impacts of fire and find safety services in your community.