Seniors’ supports during COVID-19
For information and resources provided by community agencies working to ensure seniors in Ottawa have access to supports during the COVID-19 pandemic, visit our COVID-19 section for vulnerable and isolated seniors. This includes:
- Food resources, pharmacy delivery, transportation to medical appointments and wellness visits
- Wellness and protecting your mental health
- Know who to call for help (9-1-1, 3-1-1 or 2-1-1)
Serving vulnerable seniors
Vulnerable Seniors
In Ottawa, the older adult population will double by 2031. Most will have healthy, active lives but some may need support to remain safe in their home. People living and working in the community can help prevent the most vulnerable from “falling through the cracks” by knowing what to look for and how to connect with community supports and services for older adults.
A vulnerable senior may
- Have declining physical and cognitive health
- Be isolated or have a caregiver that needs more help
- Have trouble accessing or does not have a family physician
- Have no or limited services and supports in place
- Have barriers to accessing services
- Make frequent calls to 911 or many visits to the emergency department
What can you do to help?
- Learn about the services that can help
- Offer this information to the person that may need more help
- Connect the person to a support or service
Services to support vulnerable seniors
- Home and Community Care - 613-745-5525
No age requirement, health card required - Community Support Services (Ottawa Community Support Coalition)
Seniors over 65, adults with disabilities and their caregivers - Geriatric Assessment Outreach Team (GAOT) East: 613-562-6362 West: 613-721-0041
Seniors over 65 with recent changes in physical or cognitive health - Geriatric Psychiatry Community services of Ottawa (GPCSO) - 613-562-9777
Seniors over 65 with mental illness, physician referral required - Primary Care Outreach for Seniors (PCO) - 1-844-726-5115
Seniors over 65 who are isolated and have significant barriers accessing services
For information on other supports and services in Ottawa, call 2-1-1. To speak with a public health nurse regarding a vulnerable older adult call 613-580-6744 Monday to Friday from 9 am to 4 pm.
Finding healthcare
Find out how to stay healthy, where to get help and how to make informed decisions about your health. Ottawa Public Health is your link to Ottawa’s health and support services.
Emergency resources
| Service | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region | 613-238-3311 |
| Mental Health Crisis Line (24 hours a day) | 613-722-6914 or 1-866-996-0991 |
| Ligne Fem-Aide (french only) | 1-877-336-2433 |
| Ottawa Dental Society Dental Emergency Service | 613-523-4185 |
| Ottawa Public Health | 613-580-6744 TTY: 613-580-9656 |
| Ontario Poison Centre | 1-800-268-9017 |
| Telehealth Ontario | 1-866-797-0000 TTY: 1-866-797-0007 |
Finding a family doctor
| Service | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Doctor Search College of Physicians & Surgeons of Ontario |
|
| Find A Dentist – Ontario Dental Association | 416-922-3900 |
| Find a Registered Dietician | 1-877-510-5102 |
| Health Care Connect Help Ontarians find a family health care provider. . |
1 800 445-1822 |
Area hospitals
Most healthcare needs are covered by the province’s medical coverage, once you are a resident of Ontario. If required, private healthcare plans are available to cover specialized treatments that do not fall under the province’s scope of coverage. Ottawa has 4 main hospitals:
| Hospital | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| The Ottawa Hospital | 613-722-7000 TTY: 613-761-4024 |
| General Campus Civic Campus Riverside Campus |
501 Smyth Road 1053 Carling Avenue 1967 Riverside Drive |
| Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) | 401 Smyth Road 613-737-7600 |
| Queensway-Carleton Hospital | 3045 Baseline Road 613-721-2000 |
| Montfort Hospital | 713 Montreal Road 613-746-4621 |
| In addition, there are a number of specialized hospitals and clinics in the region. | |
| Health Care Options Medical Services Directory walk-in and after hours clinics, urgent care centres, and family health care providers |
1-866-330-6206 |
| Ottawa Regional Cancer Centre | 501 Smyth Road 613-737-7700 |
| Royal Ottawa Hospital Specialty mental care in Eastern Ontario |
1145 Carling Avenue 613-722-6521 |
| Bruyère Continuing Care Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital |
43 Bruyère Street 613-562-6262 |
| Bruyère Continuing Care Résidence Saint-Louis |
879 Hiawatha Park Road. 613-824-1720 |
| Bruyère Continuing Care Saint-Vincent Hospital |
60 Cambridge Street North 613-233-4041 |
| The Rehabilitation Centre | 505 Smyth Road 613-737-7350 TTY: 613-526-1132 |
| University of Ottawa Heart Institute | 40 Ruskin Street 613-761-5000 |
Drop in medical clinics
| Service | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Appletree Medical Group | |
| Orleans Urgent Care Clinic (OUCC) |
1220 Place d’Orléans Boulevard
613-841-5389 |
| Walk-in clinics in Ottawa – Health care options directory |
Community health and resources centres
Provincial resources
| Service | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Eastern Ontario Health Unit | 613-933-1375 or 1-800-267-7120 |
| French Language Health Services Network of Eastern Ontario |
1173 Cyrville Road 613-747-7431 |
| HealthyOntario.com | |
| Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care |
Local resources
| Service | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Local mental health help and events | eMentalHealth |
| Ottawa Police Service | |
| Ottawa Safety Council | |
| Ottawa Salus Corporation Community Mental Health Services |
200-945 Wellington Street 613-729-0123 TTY: 613-759-8455 |
| OttawaSeniors.com | |
| The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa | 613-747-7800 |
| Travel Medicine Program (TMP) | |
| Youth Services Bureau |
Financial resources
| Service | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Dental help for older adults | Call 3-1-1, press 4 for Social Services to apply |
| Help with health-related items and services | Call 3-1-1, press 4 for Social Services to apply |
| Community resources | |
| Ontario Disability Support Program | 613-787-3951 |