Seniors Supports

On this page, we have outlined supports available for seniors.

Learn more about supports for individuals

Learn more about supports for families and caregivers

Learn more about supports for business, not for profits or nonprofits

Learn more about supports for mental health

Seniors Support - Table of Contents

Below you will find a list of resources and further information on programs and tax credits specifically designed for seniors. If you have questions or need support with any of these programs you can contact Lisa MacLeod's constituency office at [email protected] or 613-23-2116.

Seniors Home Renovation Tax Credit
Ontario Community Support Program
Local Ottawa Resources
Helplines
Benefits and Tax Credit Supports
Government Pensions
Healthcare
Provincial Guides to Programs and Services for Seniors
Federal Programs and Services for Seniors

NEW!! Seniors Home Renovation Tax Credit

For seniors, this means an opportunity to extend the duration of living in their homes by providing seniors and their families a 25% credit on eligible renovation expenses of up to $10,000
Eligible expenses include grab bars and related reinforcements around the toilet, tub and shower, wheelchair ramps, stair lifts and elevators, as well as renovations to permit first floor occupancy or a secondary suite for a senior.
More details will be announced later this summer

Ontario Community Support Program

If you are a low-income senior or a person with a disability (PWD) in need, such as those in supportive housing environments or community-based independent living programs, you can get:

paid or subsidized delivery of meals
delivery of medicine and other necessities

Visit the COVID-19 Community Support Finder to get help.

If you can’t request service using the internet or you require service in a language other than English or French, call:

211 on any phone
Toll-free: 1-877-330-3213
Toll-free TTY: 1-888-340-1001

Local Ottawa Seniors Resources

Seniors Active Living Centres

These centres offer social, cultural, learning and recreational programs. Contact your local centre to see if virtual or telephone programming is available.

Nepean Seniors Recreation Centre

Helplines

211 Ontario

Get information and referrals to community, government, social and health services, including mental health resources, across Ontario.

Call 2-1-1 or toll-free at Toll-free: 1-877-330-3213
Live chat online
Email

Ontario Caregiver Helpline

Provides caregivers with a one-stop resource for information and support, including a 24/7 helpline.

Call 1-833-416-2273 or connect to live chat online.

Seniors Safety Line

The Seniors Safety Line is a 24/7, confidential and free resource that provides information, referrals and support in over 150 languages for seniors experiencing abuse. Trained counsellors also provide safety planning and supportive counselling. Call 1-866-299-1011 for support. If you are in danger right now, call 911 or your local police.

Benefits and Tax Credit Supports

There are several provincial and federal tax credit and benefit programs for seniors, including:

Medical

Reduced Co-payment for Lower-Income Seniors

Depending on your annual income, you may be able to have the Ontario Drug Benefit Program $100 annual deductible waived and have your co-payment reduced to $2 per prescription.

Medical: Trillium Drug Program

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

Medical: ODB: Ontario Drug Benefit Program

Find out if the cost of your prescription drugs are covered by the province.

Income

GAINS: Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System

If you are 65+ years old and receive the federal Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement payments, you could get up to $83 per month to ensure your income stays above a certain amount.

Provincial Land Tax Deferral Program for Low-Income Seniors and Low-Income Persons with Disabilities

For low-income seniors and low-income people with disabilities. Apply for an annual deferral of part of the provincial land tax and education tax increases.

Ontario Electricity Support Program

Provides low-income consumers with a monthly on-bill credit to reduce electricity bills.

Home and Transportation

Seniors Home Safety Tax Credit (2021)
Helping seniors stay in the homes they love, longer, by implementing the Seniors’ Home Safety Tax Credit for 2021. This new credit, announced in November 2020, will provide an estimated $30 million in support for about 27,000 seniors and people who live with senior relatives.

Ontario Seniors’ Public Transit Tax Credit

If you’re 65 years or older, find out if you could get a tax credit to help with public transit costs.

Home and Vehicle Modification Program

You could get money to help with the cost of making your home and vehicle more accessible if you or your child has a disability that restricts mobility.

Ontario Senior Homeowners' Property Tax Grant

If you are 64+ years old and own a home, you could get up to $500 to help with the cost of property taxes.

Government Pensions

Seniors in Ontario can apply for pensions and programs from both the federal and provincial governments. Find out about eligibility requirements, how much money you could receive, and how to apply for the:

Canada Pension Plan – provides pensions and benefits when contributors retire, become disabled, or pass away
Old Age Security pension – a monthly payment available to most people age 65 or older. In some cases, Service Canada will be able to automatically enroll you for the OAS pension. In other cases, you will have to apply for the Old Age Security pension. Service Canada will inform you if you have been automatically enrolled.
Guaranteed Income Supplement – provides a monthly non-taxable benefit to Old Age Security recipients who have a low income and are living in Canada
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) – a provincial program that ensures a guaranteed minimum income for qualifying Ontario seniors. Monthly payments are on top of the federal Old Age Security pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement payments you may also receive

Pensions and benefits for veterans

Benevolent funds assist veterans, ex-service personnel and their dependents. The assistance is usually for basic needs such as food and housing.

Veterans Affairs Canada

Veterans Affairs Canada offers a range of services and benefits to eligible veterans and others. The benefits are available for conditions related to service in the Merchant Navy, Canadian Forces, Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) or those serving in support of the Canadian Forces in wartime or in Special Duty/Operational Areas. Get more information and find out how to apply for:

Health care programs and services

Ottawa Public Health Health Resources

Ottawa Public Health has a comprehensive list of resources for seniors that you can access here

Ontario Healthcare Programs and Services

Seniors in Ontario have access to many health care programs and services in their communities.

Find health care services at Health Care Options.

Get more information about how to access provincial health care programs and services including:

the new Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program - provides free, routine dental services for low-income seniors who are 65 years of age or older
the Ontario Drug Benefit Program – helps people age 65 and older pay for prescription drugs (with a valid Ontario health card)
the Low-Income Seniors Co-Payment Drug Program – helps seniors with low incomes (under the Ontario Drug Benefit Program)
the Assistive Devices Program – provides support if you have a long-term physical disability and provides access to personalized assistive devices
Health Care Connect – helps you find a doctor or nurse practitioner if you don’t have one
Telehealth Ontario – call this confidential telephone service for health advice or general health information from a registered nurse
Thehealthline.ca–find a list of health and community services in your area
ConnexOntario – provides information and referral services to access mental health and addictions (drug, alcohol, problem gambling) supports across the province

Home and Community Care

Home and Community Care Support Services organizations provide patient care including home care and long-term care home placement services and facilitate access to community services. If you qualify, the Ontario government pays for a wide range of services in your home and community. If you don’t qualify, you may be eligible for community support services that often have a client co-payment. You can also get help from private companies for a fee. To find out if you are eligible, please visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/homecare-seniors#section-1

Vaccinations

Vaccines protect you and those around you from serious preventable diseases. Ontario offers the following free vaccines for adults, including those 65 years of age and older:

Tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis (once in adulthood) Tetanus and diphtheria (every 10 years)
Flu shot (every fall)
Pneumococcal (at age 65)
Shingles (one dose between ages 65 and 70)

Get information about free vaccines, including shingles, and how to get them.

Staying active

Staying active is important for your health and quality of life. It is recommended that adults ages 65 and over get 150 minutes of physical activity per week. Learn more about:

physical activity tips for adults age 65 years and older
guidelines you can follow for physical activity and sedentary behaviour
the Ontario 55+ Senior Games

Staying mentally and socially engaged is also key to good overall health. There are a number of programs and services to help you get active. You can:

find out about programs and services available in your area through 211ontario.ca
learn more about active living, health and wellness supports in your area through our Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors in Ontario
get tips about brain health from the Alzheimer Society
Visit the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal to locate the latest research and information about healthy aging across a broad range of topics

Alzheimer’s disease and dementia

Find information about Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias from the:

Alzheimer Society of Ontario – dedicated to improving the quality of life for Ontarians living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias
Finding Your Way Wandering Prevention Program – helps people living with dementia live more safely in their community and raises awareness

Prevent falls and injuries

Falls are the leading cause of injury among seniors and roughly half of these occur at home. Fortunately, many falls are preventable. The Fall Prevention Seminar is a one-hour program designed to inform seniors on how to prevent falls and maintain their independence.

Available in English and French, the seminars:

provide practical information and tools to help prevent falls and injuries
look at health issues that put seniors at risk of falling in their home and community

Call 1-888-910-1999 or email for more information and to find a seminar near you.

The Government of Canada also has resources to help seniors stay safe at home and prevent falls, including:

Older Adults in Long-Term Care (LTC) and Retirement Homes (RH)

Visits to long-term care homes (LTCH) and retirement homes (RH) continue with updated guidance from the Ontario Ministry of Health for areas with higher community spread. For up to date information about LTCH and RH in Ottawa, please visit the: