Seniors INFOline: 1-888-910-1999
- Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat
The Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat works to improve the quality of life for Ontario’s seniors by:
1. Developing policies and programs that meet the needs of seniors and help them lead active, healthy and dignified lives.
2. Advising on the development of policies and programs across government on behalf of seniors.
3. Providing seniors with the information they need about vital programs and services, healthy lifestyles and aging.
4. Promoting the important contributions seniors make to families, communities and the province of Ontario.
5. Maintaining close working relationships with seniors organizations across the province.
Useful Publications
-A Guide to Advance Care Planning (Download PDF version ) – The government of Ontario has produced the Guide to Advance Care Planning as part of Ontario‘s Strategy for Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias. It provides valuable information for seniors on making choices about personal care including health care (treatment and services), food, living arrangements and housing, clothing, hygiene and safety.
-You can carry a wallet card – The Secretariat has also produced a wallet card which you can download PDF here , and carry with you at all times. The wallet card contains important information and contacts.
-About Preventing and Managing Falls
-A Guide to Preventing Falls – Describes statistics of falling, Exercises, Medications and Assistive Devices.
-Falls Prevention Starts With You – A personal assessment of the risk of Falling
-What To Do If You Fall – Tips.
-A Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors in Ontario (Download PDF ) – A Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors in Ontario is your resource for information on the many programs and services that are available to Ontario’s seniors. This Guide was developed by the Ontario Seniors’ Secretariat with help from other provincial ministries, the federal government and many organizations that work on behalf of the interests and well-being of Ontario’s seniors.
-Diversity in Action Toolkit (PDF) – The ideas and practices presented in this toolkit demonstrate the commitment and capacity to create welcoming communities for diverse populations within Ontario’s long-term care homes, retirement homes, and supportive housing settings for seniors.
-Financial Programs for Seniors (Download PDF version) – Federal programs (Service Canada, Canada Revenue Agency) and Ontario programs (Ministry of Finance, Ontario Drug Benefit Programs by OHIP).
-Financial Security and Planning Fact Sheets – Ontario has released a series of fact sheets on financial abuse, powers of attorney, fraud awareness and planning, developed by the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers Responsible for Seniors Forum.
-Prevention of Elder Abuse Policy and Program Lens – The Policy and Program Lens is designed to strengthen the capacity of government, non-government organizations and service providers to prevent, detect and respond to elder abuse. It provides a method for identifying the negative effects of current and planned policies, programs and practices on those impacted by elder abuse. This draft document outlines the purpose of the Policy and Program Lens, provides the conceptual framework for its development, and explains the basis for the questions that are used for the analysis. This document states who the intended users are, and how they can apply and implement this lens.
-Safe Medication Use for Seniors – Tips and suggestions.
-Smart Consumer Calendar – Ministry of Consumer Services’ 2012 Smart Consumer Calendar shares with you what you need to be a smart consumer. This calendar is packed with tips – from buying or selling a home to dealing with collection agencies. You’ll learn about: buying or selling a home, dealing with collection agencies, buying auto insurance. It can also teach you about new laws for funeral and cemetery services and increased protections for retirement home residents. All yours – and all absolutely free!
-Winter Safety Tips – Tips and suggestions.