Health and support services

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)

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.

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

Finding a family doctor

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:

Drop in medical clinics

Community health and resources centres

Provincial resources

Local resources

Financial resources