Older Adults

These pages explain how depression develops in older adults, what are the causes, symptoms and types of depression. Each aspect of depression is accompanied by a video presentation. A list of additional resources is also provided.

This Federal Government page lists resources for seniors available on the Government of Canada and on the provincial governments' sites.  The Benefits Finder may help you to find benefits, programs and services available from the federal, provincial and territorial governments.

The Toronto Seniors Helpline is a single point of access for seniors and caregivers to receive information and access to community, home, and crisis services.

Toronto Seniors Helpline is funded through the Toronto Central Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), in partnership with WoodGreen Community Services. Toronto Seniors Helpline integrates the services of the former Seniors’ Crisis Line and the Community Navigation Access Program (CNAP) Hub. Seniors and caregivers only need to call one phone number in order to access information and referrals for community and homecare services.

Phone number is: 416-217-2077. Interpretation services are available in over 100 languages through a phone interpretation service.

This booklet informs about services available through Community Care Access Centres (CCAC) and what you can do if you are not happy with your home care services, or you are not getting the services you want. This resource also outlines who is eligible to receive services, and how to go about filing complaints.

Located in Toronto, Baycrest is one of the world's premier academic health sciences centers focused on aging. Through its strengths in research and education, Baycrest is using the power of inquiry and discovery to improve the health of tomorrow's elderly while at the same time care for and enhance the quality of life of the elderly today. Baycrest provides care and service to approximately 2,500 people a day through the Baycrest Geriatric Health Care System which includes a unique continuum of care from wellness programs residential housing and outpatient clinics, to a 472-bed nursing home, and a 300- bed complex continuing care hospital facility with an acute care unit.

SPRINT Senior Care provides a range of services and programs for seniors and for their families. Services include home care, counselling transportation, meals, day programs, safety and more. Services are provided at home and in the community at low cost. Caregiver relief, educational resources and support group information is also available.

A Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors in Ontario is a good source of information on social and financial programs and services that are available to Ontario’s seniors. It provides contact information for government and community agencies and access to legislation and other related documents.

HouseCalls is an interdisciplinary community-based primary health care model for home bound seniors living in a defined affiliated area. The physician led team of medical professionals provides ongoing medical care for frail, vulnerable, marginalized and home bound seniors. The team provides integrated in-home primary care, geriatric care, chronic disease management and end of life care. The team also facilitates linking clients and caregivers to resources in the community.

The Active Living Canada promotes a society where all older Canadians are leading active lifestyle which contributes to their overall well-being. The website offers active living tips  for specific conditions in several languages, healthy living workshop resources, age friendly guides and a series of short videos with tips for the easy daily exercises.

This webpage explains different types of anxiety, signs of anxiety and their impact on an older person's daily functioning.  It also gives practical advice on dealing with anxiety problem and provides contact information if further help is needed.

This webpage addresses variety of issues related to safe housing options for older adults who would like to continue living in their home or in their community. It covers new accessible home design options and modifications to existing homes that enable independent living for persons with disabilities or other limitations.

This resource provides examples of questions that can be found on the written portion of the driver's examination. This is a helpful tool which gives you an idea of what to expect on the knowledge test. Drivers over the age of 80 must take a driver's examination every two years.

This resource provides information on the 55 Alive Driver Refresher Course for seniors. Operated by the Canada Safety Council, the course offers seniors the opportunity to update their driving skills, and addresses common problems that older drivers face.

This government web page covers selected topics of interest to seniors and their caregivers. Topics include injury prevention for seniors and age-friendly communities. There is also a list of frequently asked questions about seniors' health issues.

Better Living has been delivering services in the Don Mills area since 1983. Essential services such as Home Care, the Adult Day Program, Meal Delivery, Case Management and Transportation provide assistance to seniors and disabled adults wishing to live independently at home and allow respite for people in a care giving role.

This resource discusses the importance of making a will and other end-of-life arrangements that can be carried out by family and friends of a loved one after they have died.

The Canadian Coalition for Senior's Mental Health (CSMH) web site provides access to high quality information and resources for seniors experiencing mental health problems and for their families. Guides cover different mental health topics and may help seniors and their family members to understand occurring mental problems and to make informed decisions regarding available health care options.

Older Adult Centres' Association of Ontario provides resources, expertise and leadership for older adult centres and seniors groups through advocacy, education, networking and innovative direction. The OACAO has a membership of 145 centres, organizations and individuals involved in working with older adults representing over 300 staff and 150,000 older adults across Ontario. Older Adult Centres' Association of Ontario provides ongoing liaison and advocacy with government and other provincial associations in matters which affect older adult centres and older adults, and educational programs for members through workshops.

This is a list of warm water swimming pools which offer programs for seniors such as aquafitness, gentle aquafitness and other water exercise classes.

This website provides information about and access to government services for seniors. It covers many areas including: housing, driving and transportation, health and wellness, government pension and benefits, safety, latest changes in legislation and others.

Sinai Health System’s Healthy Ageing and Geriatrics Program provides compassionate and quality care to older adults, their families, and caregivers. The program uses an interprofessional, team-based approach to enable older adults to live independently for as long as possible in the community.

The guide gives information about the causes and symptoms of delirium. It provides advice on what to do if you, or someone you care about, is experiencing delirium. The guide also gives helpful tips on managing delirium and on effective communication with health care providers.

This resource provides tips to the elderly on how to improve their sexual health. Emotional, mental and physical obstacles are discussed and advice is provided on how to overcome such obstacles. Importance of sex to seniors is discussed and related articles are listed.

This resource answers many questions older adults and their families may have about the flu shot. It defines influenza, outlines how it is spread, and suggests when seniors should get the influenza vaccine. The page also describes situations in which such a vaccination would not be recommended.

This checklist can be used to determine whether or not an older person is safe living home alone. The checklist includes exterior and interior of the house, mobility, communication issues and personal safety.

Care Watch is a volunteer-run advocacy organization which is commitment to the overall wellbeing of all older people. It is advocating for accessible, affordable and consistent quality home and community care.  The website explains what supports are available to seniors and lists websites and organizations that facilitate access to services.

Presents a set of gentle sitting exercises with illustrations which are intended to improve mobility and prevent falls. Exercises can be easily done at home on your own.

This article compiled the top 10 “bad” behaviors that elders exhibit, some of the most common mental and physical causes, and tips for coping with them. It also provides links to further reading on selected challenging behaviors in older adults.

National Institutes of Health (NIH) offers simple strategies for senior on managing medications safely.

This resource provides information for older drivers about the program, including the latest changes affecting seniors. It also provides information about the Group Education Sessions where a group of about 15 drivers aged 80 and older will receive information about new traffic laws and how aging affects driving, driving tips to help older drivers and a review of road signs.  Information is available in 16 languages.

This resource provides information on medications which may be inappropriate or potentially harmful to people who are 65 or older. It includes lists of medications with explanations about their harmful effect and they should be limited or avoided when treating older adults. 

This resource provides a comprehensive analysis of sexuality and sexual behaviour in the elderly. Outlined within this resource are the normal physical changes that occur with age and its associated sexual problems, various emotional barriers to achieving satisfying sex, and tips to help one ensure an active and healthy sex life.