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It is my pleasure to introduce the City of Ottawa Guide to Services and Programs for Older Adults.
This valuable guide contains information on City of Ottawa services including:
As an older adult, you are a member of the fastest-growing age group in our city. In fact, the number of older adults is expected to more than double over the next 20 years.
The City of Ottawa wants to make it easier for you to access City services and continue to be an active member of the community by providing the information you need in easy-to-use formats.
This Guide to Services and Programs for Older Adults resulted from valuable feedback provided by residents during the City’s development of its Older Adult Plan. It is another example of the City’s commitment to meeting the needs of older adults in our community.
I am proud of the work the City is doing to improve and enhance services to older adults.
On behalf of my Council colleagues, I would like to thank the Seniors Roundtable and community members who assisted in developing this guide.
Jim Watson
Mayor of Ottawa
This guide provides an overview of the services and resources available to residents of the City of Ottawa, with specific reference, where appropriate, to older adults.
The term older adult refers to a general stage of life and can include adults 50 years of age and older (including seniors 65 and older). Phone numbers and links are subject to change. If you experience any difficulty with phone numbers or web links, please call 3-1-1.
ServiceOttawa is your first stop for City information and services.
Contact ServiceOttawa for information, such as:
General Information line - 3-1-1
Visit a centre that’s close to where you live. Seven Client Service Centres provide information about City of Ottawa services and programs.
The City of Ottawa’s urban Client Service Centres’ business hours are Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, except for the City Hall Government Service Centre, which is open Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm.
110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa
101 Centrepointe Drive, Nepean
255 Centrum Blvd., Orléans
580 Terry Fox Drive, Main level, Kanata
Call 3-1-1 to confirm the hours and days of operation for rural Client Service Centres.
8243 Victoria St, Metcalfe
5670 Carp Rd, Kinburn
2155 Roger Stevens Drive, North Gower
Sign up to receive City of Ottawa news and information for older adults delivered directly to your computer.
For community information or services you do not see in this guide:
Accessible Parking Permits are available for both on-street and off-street parking.
People with physical disabilities may apply to the Ontario Ministry of Transportation for an Accessible Parking Permit (APP). Drivers or passengers who display this permit are entitled to special parking privileges in public parking areas and on public roadways.
To apply for an Accessible Parking Permit:
To find out about City of Ottawa privileges for drivers with an Accessible Parking Permit:
The City of Ottawa has placed "do-it-yourself" grit boxes at various locations across the City to make the sidewalks safe for everyone to walk on in the winter. The boxes, for residents use, contain the same winter grit used by the City's snow operations' staff.
The grit boxes are located close to steep hills, and in areas where there are many pedestrians, older adults and persons using mobility devices. All residents are encouraged to spread the grit on slippery spots on sidewalks and other problem areas.
For more information about the Grit Box program, view the Grit Box Locations webpage or call 3-1-1.
OC Transpo makes travelling around the city easy for older adults. All vehicles are fully accessible with no stairs. Buses can lower to the curb for easy boarding. Other features to make travel easier include:
If you are 65 or older, take advantage of these services from OC Transpo:
For more information about these services:
Schedule information: For real-time arrivals of your bus 24/7, call 613-560-1000 or text 560560 plus your four-digit stop number.
If you are unable to use OC Transpo some or all of the time because of a disability or health concern, consider using Para Transpo’s door-to-door service. Registered Para Transpo customers may also join the Taxi Coupon program to get lower rates for taxis.
To apply for Para Transpo or to get more information:
If you are a senior or an adult living with a physical disability in rural Ottawa, there are many options available to help you travel to, from, or within your community. The City of Ottawa partners with Rural Community Support Services to offer additional transportation options.
Please contact the Community Support Service organization serving your area for more information:
Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS), formerly known as audible pedestrian signals, communicate information about the WALK and flashing DON'T WALK intervals to blind, visually impaired, or deaf-blind pedestrians at signalized intersections. Information identifying the "right-of-way" to cross a roadway is available through various means including locator tones, audible tones, vibrotactile indicators, raised tactile arrow points in direction of crossing, or any combination of these non-visual methods. All APS deliver sounds when activated that indicate when pedestrians can start crossing an intersection and in which direction. Currently, over 800 signalized intersections are equipped with audible tone components throughout the city and the number continues to grow every year.
Using Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS): To activate the audible and/or vibrotactile indicator portion of the walk signal, pedestrians must push and hold a crosswalk button for a minimum of three seconds. The audible signal and/or vibrotactile indicator function will not be activated if the button is held for less time.
For more information about Accessible Pedestrian Signals, please e-mail 311@ottawa.ca or call 3-1-1 (TTY 613-580-2401)
If you want to find a public washroom when exploring the city, take a look at this map. It has over 170 public and portable washrooms in City buildings and parks. It shows locations, hours of operation and level of accessibility.
Ottawa Public Health provides telephone counselling, information and services to support people who care for older adults.
For more information, contact Ottawa Public Health:
If you or someone you care for needs to have weekly collection of waste diapers or incontinence products, you can register for the City’s Special Consideration Waste program. Participating households can place one bag of waste diapers and incontinence products out for collection every week.
To register for the Special Consideration Waste program:
Organics recycling is an important part of the City of Ottawa’s long term waste strategy. Roughly 45 per cent of Ottawa’s garbage (by weight) is compostable organic material that can be put into the green bin. Seniors (65+) and people with a disability can request a smaller green bin by calling 3-1-1.
Home Support Services can help you with light housekeeping tasks such as sweeping floors, cleaning bathrooms, changing bed linens, and laundry.
The program is available to people who:
You must apply for the program and provide financial information. To apply or get more information:
Homebound Services provides free delivery of Ottawa Public Library (OPL) materials to Ottawa residents who are unable to visit the Library regularly due to age, illness or disability. OPL delivers to individual homes, retirement residences and long-term care facilities.
To find out more about the Library’s Homebound Services:
There are two Snow Go programs funded by the City of Ottawa to help older adults (60+) and people with disabilities.
Ottawa Public Health helps older adults maintain their health and independence by offering the following programs:
For information about these and other programs:
The Essential Health and Social Supports program is available to people with a low income and limited assets. The program provides financial help for health-related items, such as prescription drugs, eyeglasses, dental care, diabetic supplies, incontinence supplies, bathroom aids, respiratory supplies, and mobility devices.
You must apply for the program and provide financial information. To apply or get more information:
The City of Ottawa operates four Long-Term Care Homes. These homes offer many services and programs for residents. If you would like to take a tour of any of the City of Ottawa’s Long-Term Care Homes, call for an appointment.
To apply for long-term care:
The Residential Care (domiciliary hostel) program provides financial support for housing to adults who cannot live on their own and need some help with daily living activities.
Housing is in private or non-profit residences (also known as domiciliary hostels). To be considered for the program, you must apply and take part in a financial and personal assessment.
For more information:
This program provides financial support for home repairs and renovations to help seniors (65+) and people with disabilities live independently. It is open to:
To apply for the Ontario Renovates program or to get more information:
If you are aged 65 or older, own your home, and are living on a low income, you may qualify for one of the City of Ottawa’s tax deferral programs. The City offers two programs – Full and Partial Property Tax Deferral. Both programs allow eligible people to defer payment of some or all property tax. These programs are also open to people with a disability who have a low income.
The two programs have different requirements. To find out more about Property Tax Deferral:
You may be able to create a secondary dwelling unit (also called an in-law suite) in your home. A secondary dwelling unit is a self-contained set of rooms that includes both a kitchen and a bathroom. You must meet a number of conditions before starting.
For more information about secondary dwelling units:
If you have a low income, you may be able to apply for social housing. Rent for these units is geared to your income. The Social Housing Registry of Ottawa maintains a centralized waiting list for all social housing in Ottawa.
To apply for a social housing unit:
The City of Ottawa offers many different recreation and cultural programs for older adults 50+. Keep your mind and body active through programs such as painting, fitness, sewing, computer use, bridge, swimming, guest speakers, sports, and more.
Residents are welcome to enjoy City museums or theatres.
Carleton Lodge and Centre d’accueil Champlain offer adult day programs for seniors 65+ who are frail, have dementia or face other barriers that prevent them from taking part in regular activities. Small group activities promote good health and social interaction for participants. The programs also provide a break for caregivers.
To apply for one of these adult day programs:
If you need help to pay the registration fee for a City of Ottawa recreation or cultural program or activity, you can get a Hand in Hand Recreation Fee Subsidy application form at your local recreation facility or any City of Ottawa Client Service Centre. You will be asked to provide financial information when you apply.
The Library’s accessible collections include large print books, children’s Braille books, audio books in various formats, captioned DVDs, DVDs with described video and eBooks.
All Library branches have assistive technology computer workstations which include a height adjustable desk, widescreen monitor, large print keyboard, trackball mouse, scanner, and software including ZoomText, JAWS, Dragon Naturally Speaking, Kurzweil 3000 and BrowseAloud.
For more information about the Library’s accessible services:
The Library offers a Talking Book Service for people who can’t read or use regular print material because of a disability. The service also lets you use the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) Library Partners Program.
The Ottawa Public Library offers free programs for older adults. For information about book clubs; writing workshops; healthy living and financial planning programs; along with tutorials to help older adults learn basic computer skills, use of email, and the Internet:
The City of Ottawa operates four Seniors’ Centres that offer programs and drop-in activities for older adults 50+.
Find out about programs:
1. Churchill Seniors Centre, 345 Richmond Road 613-798-8927
2. Heron Seniors Centre, 1480 Heron Road 613-247-4808 extension 2
3. Kanata Seniors Centre, 2500 Campeau Drive 613-599-4480
4. Nepean Seniors Recreation Centre, 1701 Woodroffe Avenue 613-580-2828
There are several other seniors’ centres managed by community organizations which offer a range of programming in both English and French.
For more information:
It is important that you know what to do and how to stay safe in an emergency. The City of Ottawa’s “Are You Ready?” program offers workshops and training for community groups and businesses. Find out what you need to prepare for an emergency such as a flood, severe weather, or a blackout.
The Are You Ready program is tailor-made for the needs of the city’s diverse and multicultural community. Our newest expansion of this program, Ready Seniors, is exclusively for older adults. This program focuses on networks for older adults in emergency situations and provides them with specialized information.
For more information on promotional material or to book a workshop:
Learn about fire safety and fire prevention. Ottawa Fire Services can help older adults and people who work with older adults learn how to install and test a fire alarm, use a fire extinguisher, cook safely, and get out of the house safely in the case of a fire.
If you would like to book a fire safety presentation for your group:
Elder abuse is any act that harms or threatens to harm an older person. It can include physical, sexual, financial, and psychological abuse, as well as neglect.
The Ottawa Police Service – Elder Abuse Section investigates all reports of elder abuse. The Victim Crisis Section staff may assist to get help for the victim of abuse, or they may refer the report to the police for further investigation.
If you would like more information, or if you are concerned about an older person:
The Ottawa Police Service – Organized Fraud Section investigates criminal activities that target older adults. They also make presentations with the ABCs of Fraud program to keep older adults from becoming victims of scams and frauds.
For more information about preventing fraud:
This is not an emergency number. If you have an emergency, call 9-1-1.
The City of Ottawa offers a wide range of volunteer opportunities for residents. You can get involved in programs at Ottawa's museums, theatres, libraries, archives, Long-Term Care Homes, individuals with disabilities programs, recreation programs, and much more.
If you would like more information about volunteering for the City of Ottawa:
For community information or services you do not see in this guide:
The City of Ottawa’s Older Adult Plan 2015-2018 supports a long-term vision for our community that values, empowers, and supports older persons and their quality of life. The Plan contains 51 actions to address the priorities of older residents and make Ottawa an age-friendly city. The plan is organized under eight age-friendly areas:
For more information about the Older Adult Plan, please email olderadults@ottawa.ca, call 3-1-1 or visit ottawa.ca/en/older-adult-plan.
