Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
The Canada Pension Plan (CPP) is a monthly benefit for CPP contributors aged 60 years and over.
Old Age Security (OAS)
The Old Age Security (OAS) pension is a monthly benefit available, if applied for, to most Canadians 65 years of age or over. Old Age Security legal status and home requirements must also be met. An applicant’s employment history is not a factor in determining eligibility, nor does the applicant need to be retired. Old Age Security pensioners pay federal and provincial income tax. Higher income pensioners also repay part or all of their benefit through the tax system.
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS)
The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) provides additional money, on top of the Old Age Security pension, to low-income seniors living in Canada. To be eligible for the GIS benefit, you must be receiving the Old Age Security (OAS) pension and meet the income requirements.
Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS)
The Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) ensures a guaranteed minimum income for Ontario seniors. It provides monthly payments to qualifying pensioners in addition to the federal Old Age Security (OAS) pension and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) payments.
Power of Attorney Kit
A Power of Attorney is a legal document that gives someone else the right to act on your behalf. The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) has a Power of Attorney Kit to assist you in appointing the person you want to make decisions for you when you are no longer able to do so for yourself. Click on the following link to obtain a copy of the Power of Attorney Kit.
Assistive Devices Program (ADP)
The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) runs the Assistive Devices Program (ADP) to help people who have long-term physical disabilities get needed equipment and supplies. In some cases the ADP pays 75 per cent of the cost of items like orthopaedic braces, wheelchairs, and breathing aids. In other cases, such as artificial limbs and breast prostheses, the ADP contributes a fixed amount up to a maximum contribution. If you are receiving social assistance benefits under Ontario Works (OW), Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) or Assistance to Children with Severe Disabilities (ACSD), you may be eligible to receive more money.
Ministry of Health and Long Term Care (MOHLTC)
The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (MOHLTC) is working to establish a patient-focused, results-driven, integrated and sustainable publicly funded health system. Its plan for building a sustainable public health care system in Ontario is based on helping people stay healthy, delivering good care when people need it, and protecting the health system for future generations.
Community Care Access Centre (CCAC)
The Community Care Access Centre (CCAC) connects individuals with the care they need, at home and in the community. They can help seniors stay in their own home longer by providing care at home or by coordinating care in the community, including specialized support services. They can also provide information about long-term care options if it becomes too difficult to live independently at home. CCAC is your single point of access to information about, and to apply for admission to, long-term care Homes.
Health Quality Ontario
Health Quality Ontario (HQO) is a government agency that measures and reports to the public on the quality of long-term care and resident satisfaction. It functions to support continuous quality improvement, as well as monitor and report to the people of Ontario on: (i) Access to publicly funded health services, (ii) Health human resources in publicly funded health services, (iii) Consumer and population health status, and (iv) Health system outcomes.
Seniors Canada Online
Seniors Canada Online is the Government’s response to seniors’ requests for easy electronic access to seniors-related services. The site offers: access to a wide range of information for seniors from one site; various options for finding this information; and offerings and services from multiple government departments. Seniors Canada Online is designed for older adults (age 55 plus), their families, caregivers, and supporting service organizations. It offers key links to seniors-related information from Government of Canada, Provincial and Territorial websites.
Ontario Association of Non-Profit Homes and Services for Seniors (OANHSS)
OANHSS is a provincial membership-based organization that has represented not-for-profit providers of long term care services and housing for seniors for over 90 years. Kenora District Home is a member of this association.
Ontario Retirement Community Association (ORCA)
Established in 1977, the Ontario Retirement Communities Association (ORCA) is a non-profit, voluntary professional association that represents more than 420 retirement homes province-wide. ORCA represents approximately 80% of Ontario’s 43,380 retirement home units. ORCA sets professional operating standards, inspects and accredits Ontario-based retirement homes, and has accredited homes in other provinces that do not yet have their own accrediting bodies.
Concerned Friends
Founded in 1980, Concerned Friends of Ontario Citizens in Care Facilities is a volunteer, registered charity that is dedicated to advocacy at the systemic and individual levels in order to improve the care and quality of life in Ontario’s long-term care homes. The goals of the organization include: addressing the issue of quality physical and emotional care, and the general conditions facing residents of long-term care; bringing concerns to the attention of the general public and the provincial government; working for constructive changes in statutes and regulations, to provide information to relatives of residents in long-term care facilities concerning residents’ rights and responsibilities under government legislation; and helping families advocate on behalf of their relatives in long-term care facilities.
Family Council Network
A Family Council is an organized, self-led, self-determining, democratic group composed of family and friends of the residents of long term care homes. The Ontario Family Councils Program (FCP) offers free information resources, consultation services, networking support and training opportunities to help you start, strengthen and sustain Family Councils.
Parkinson’s Society of Canada
The Parkinson Society Canada is the national voice of Canadians living with Parkinson’s. Since 1965, Parkinson Society Canada has been dedicated to providing education, support services, advocacy and funding for research on behalf of over 100,000 Canadians coping with this brain disease every day.
Alzheimer’s Society of Canada
The Alzheimer Society is Canada’s leading health charity for people living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Behind every person with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, there are hundreds of people dedicated to helping. The Alzheimer Society is the leading not-for-profit health organization working nationwide to improve the quality of life for Canadians affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias and advance the search for the cause and cure. Alzheimer’s Society is located in every province across Canada and in over 150 local communities.
Ontario: www.alzheimerontario.org
Canada: www.alzheimer.ca