Resources for Aging in Place

Fitness

SAFE: Senior Adult Fitness ExercisesExercise program for seniors developed by the McGill University Health CentreThe program is divided into four levels. Start with the first and move up if it seems easy.

Participaction – For health benefits, adults aged 65 years or older should be physically active each day, minimize sedentary time, and achieve sufficient sleep.

Physical Activity Toolkit for Older Adults is a guide for making improvements in your personal fitness.

Humber College Student Massage Therapy – Too much fitness causing aching muscles? Seniors can book a massage session at Humber College for $15.

Sunnybrook Specialized Geriatric Services provides five videos with exercises to keep frail older people moving safely.

Active Aging Canada supports lifelong healthy active aging of adult Canadians through participation, education, research, and promotion.

Etobicoke Pickleball Association is a non-profit association of volunteer pickleball enthusiasts committed to growing the sport of pickleball.

Local Parks: Walking distance from our home are parks worth exploring. North on Islington on the east side is Fairhaven Park. To the south, on the east side of Isington near the NoFrills plaza is Alex Marchetti Park. And on the west side of Islington, south side of Dixon is Wincott Park.

YouTube is a great source of inspiration for staying fit. Search for Silver Sneakers, Zumba Gold, chair zumba, chair yoga, etc. YouTube is available on your TV – Bell Fibe. Here are some examples recommended by residents:

Food & Nutrition

Eat well to live well.

Health Connect program connects an individual with a registered dietitian who can provide free advice on food and healthy eating. Call 1-866-797-0007.

The Canada Food Guide helps with making the right food choices to stay fit and healthy. The Dietitians Association offers a variety of resources to learn about nutrition or find a dietitian close by.

One Dish Kitchen has many recipes designed for one, if you enjoy cooking nutritious meals for yourself.

As seniors age, they find it difficult to cook their own meals. Ready-made meals can be one solution.

Meals on Wheels delivers nutritious and affordable meals to a variety of groups including seniors.

Heart to Home delivers nutritious frozen meals for seniors each week.

 

Health Care

Staying healthy is the goal and those who have a family doctor are lucky as the system is stressed in recent years.

Health811 – Ontario residents can receive nursing advice 24/7 either by phone or live chat.

Check your Symptoms (Health811) is an assessment tool, helping you decide how to get the help you need.

UCC Urgent Care Centre is a walk-in medical clinic for people who need care for minor illnesses and injury. Open daily from 10 am to 10 pm on weekdays, 10 am to 6 pm on weekends and holidays.

Reverse Diabetes OHIP covers the cost of this 12 week program addressing type 2 diabetes. It is run online with virtual doctor visits, group support groups, information sessions, etc.

Power Over Pain Portal – Your pain is real and you are not alone. Power Over Pain provides you with access to resources, courses, peer support and much more, so that you can control your pain. This is a free program.

Especially during respiratory season – September through the winter months – protect your health by avoiding airborne germs. Ontario Respiratory Virus Tool shows the prevalence of illness in our community with a link to wastewater data.

William Osler Health System has a palliative care department for people who suffer from incurable and/or life-limiting illnesses. It is not just for people who are at the end of their lives.

Home Medical Equipment – Rent or buy wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, etc.

Medics Mobility – Source lift-reliners, scooters, beds and mattresses, etc.

Quitting Smoking – If you use a smart phone or tablet, there’s an app to help you quit.

First Link – a referral program designed to help newly diagnosed people with dementia and their families get the help they need as soon as possible.

Advanced Care Planning – Advance care planning is the process of thinking about what matters most to you in your life and what that means for your health and personal care. Share your wishes and preferences with the people who are important to you so they can help make sure you get the care you want.

Making Home Safe

The Safe-Living Guide – a guide to home safety for seniors is general advice for all from the Canadian government.

You CAN Prevent Falls! has specific advice from the Canadian government on avoiding falls and injuries.

Five Steps to Get Up After a Fall

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation has several online publications to help seniors with the required home adaptations/renovations to make a home more accessible and reduce the risk of falls and injuries.

The March of Dimes has Home and Vehicle Modification Support as well as suggestions for assistive devices.

Home Medical Equipment – Rent or buy wheelchairs, walkers, hospital beds, etc.

Medics Mobility – Source lift-reliners, scooters, beds and mattresses, etc.

Family Caregiving

Canes Community Care specializes in all kinds of services to support living at home like homemaking, respite care, transportation, behavioural supports and footcare.

Home and Community Care Support Services  offers various services to the caregiver and the aging individual. Our local branch is Central-West.

Caregiver Exchange has practical insights for busy caregivers.

Ontario Caregiver Organization sheds light on the needs of caregivers as well as the needs of the patients they look after.

Adult Day Program supports older adults who have a cognitive impairment, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia, and are physically frail and provides respite for caregivers.

Stroke Resources leads to you information about how to recognize a stroke, and how to deal with recovery and managing after a stroke.

Behaviour Changes of older adults can be challenging. Here are supports for managing behaviour and help for caregivers.

Home Instead has some home care resources and expertise to help make life as a family caregiver a little easier, and a little less stressful.

Alzheimer Society Toronto exists to alleviate the personal and social consequences of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.

First Link – a referral program designed to help newly diagnosed people with dementia and their families get the help they need as soon as possible.

Elder Care Canada: When next steps seem insurmountable, you need an elder care coach.

Family caregivers may be eligible to claim tax credits under the Disability Tax Credit, the Medical Expense Tax Credit and the Canada Caregiver Credit (CCC).

For aging seniors, the Ontario Seniors Care at Home Tax Credit is available to help offset the medical expenses, including expenses that support aging at home.

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) provides the required forms for tax credits. Call CRA at 1-800-959-8281 for enquiries and assistance.

Employee benefits such as Family medical leave or Family caregiver leave are available for eligible caregivers. Contact the Employment Standards Information Centre at 1-800-531-5551 for assistance.

Baby to Senior is a local provider of rental hospital beds, good to know for the times when you are recovering from surgery.

Home Care

Canes Community Care provides support and care services that allow older adults to live at home.

Home and Community Care services coordinate in-home and community-based care for patients. You can download referral forms from the website. If you do not have a family doctor, please contact 310-2222; Toll Free: 1-888-733-1177

ESS Support Services  is a non-profit agency with the goal of providing quality support services that allow older adults to live at home.

The Friendly Calls Program connects adults with Red Cross volunteers who provide social interaction and emotional support.

First Link – a referral program designed to help newly diagnosed people with dementia and their families get the help they need as soon as possible.

Pets

Residents are permitted to have a small dog (under 25 pounds) in our condominium complex.  However your companion animal is required to be carried while on common elements. This means carrying your dog not just in hallways and elevators, but also along the sidewalks and grass out to the main gate before letting it down for exercise. Many people have found a pet stroller is the best way to manage this, with the added benefit of providing stability for the owner. You may find the one you want at a local store that caters to pets like PetSmart or online through retailers like Amazon.  Hint: There is more to learn about pet rules on the Corporation’s website.

Veterinary Emergency and Referral Hospital of West Toronto – Because in an emergency your usual veterinarian may not be available. Open 24 hours.

Legal & Financial

Canadian Revenue Agency can be contacted at 1-800-959-8281

Provincial tax credits and benefits are available to eligible seniors to defray living costs. They include senior homeowners’ property tax grant, seniors home safety tax credit, senior care home tax credit for wheelchairs, hospital beds and dental-vision-hearing care.

CARP (Canadian Association of Retired Persons) fights to uphold the rights and improve the lives of Canadians as we age. Look for many money-saving benefits of membership.

Estate Planning and Wills is an Ontario government site explaining  estates, wills, trusts, etc.

Fair Canada – Getting Your Money Back is a guide to help consumers who have a complaint against their bank or investment firm and who want to be financially compensated for their losses.

Investing Academy – Ontario Securities Commission (getsmarteraboutmoney.ca) has developed a series of learning modules that you can take online for free. Topics: Investing 101, Investing 102, Managing Your Money 101, and planning for the future. (Hint – children or grandchildren may benefit from learning some financial basics).

Community Services

The city of Toronto publishes a  Directory of Services for Seniors and Caregivers as part of the 211 response program.

Adult Day Programs for older adults with cognitive problems.

Syme 55+ Centre is a non-profit community centre for older adults. Take classes, make friends, play games, learn new things.

Fairfield Seniors’ Centre offers social, educational and support services.

Horner Avenue Seniors’ Centre is a smaller, friendly seniors’ centre with drop-in activities.

New Toronto Seniors’ Centre, near Islington and Lakeshore has fitness, sports, cards, art, etc.

Thistletown Seniors’ Centre has many drop-in activities and is known for its unique woodchuck woodworking facilities.

Westacres Seniors’ Centre has registered and drop-in activities as well as dinners and dances.

Transportation

Vision problems and slower reaction times can cause us to limit driving or stop driving altogether.

What to do After an Accident: Advice for immediately after an incident, and what you should do within the first twenty-four hours.

Driving with Dementia helps you to decide if it is safe to continue driving or better to give up the car.

There are alternatives to driving in our neighbourhood since many services are within a reasonable walking distance with stores, medical centre, eye care, blood lab, etc.

Wheel-Trans is a specialized service of the TTC. The TTC requires eligible customers to submit a completed application to use the Wheel-Trans service. 

Ride Connect provides transportation for older and disabled adults to and from Etobicoke, Brampton, Malton, Mississauga, Oakville and Woodbridge. Phone 1-877-743-3025. Book four days in advance.

Toronto Ride provides assisted door-to-door transportation in the Toronto area – for those not eligible for wheel-trans.

Technology Support

Connected Canadians is a non-profit organization connecting older adults with technology training and support.

Senior Tech Services provides paid tutoring tailored for older people, either in person or on zoom. There are also free zoom webinars available.

Assistive Technology for the Elderly introduces the different types of assistive technology available to help older adults and points out the benefits for aging in place.

Media Smarts: Break the Fake Educational resources that include hands-on activities, videos and workshops teaching how to tell what’s true online and encouraging critical thinking versus disinformation.

End of Life

Advanced Care PlanningAdvance care planning is the process of thinking about what matters most to you in your life and what that means for your health and personal care. Share your wishes and preferences with the people who are important to you so they can help make sure you get the care you want.

The Dorothy Ley Hospice is not just a place but an approach to care that focuses on living. Find useful supports and advice.

William Osler Health System has a palliative care department for people who suffer from incurable and/or life-limiting illnesses. It is not just for people who are at the end of their lives.

Administering Estates Learn about how someone’s assets and liabilities are handled after a loved one dies, including what happens if a person dies in Ontario with or without a will.

To order a copy of a death certificate online click here.

The Law Society of Ontario provides a referral service to connect an individual to a lawyer.