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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(link is external) - 310-2222 (no area code required)
No age requirement, health card required - Community Support Services(link is external) (Coalition of Community Health and Resource Centres of Ottawa(link is external))
Seniors over 65, adults with disabilities and their caregivers - Geriatric Assessment Outreach Team(link is external) (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(link is external) (GPCSO) - 613-562-9777
Seniors over 65 with mental illness, physician referral required - Primary Care Outreach for Seniors(link is external) (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.
Finding healthcare
Find out how to stay healthy, where to get help and how to make informed decisions about your health.
Emergency resources
| Service | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Distress Centre of Ottawa and Region(link is external) | 613-238-3311 |
| Mental Health Crisis Line(link is external) (24 hours a day) | 613-722-6914 or 1-866-996-0991 |
| Ligne Fem-Aide(link is external) | 1-877-336-2433 |
| Ottawa Dental Society Dental Emergency Service | 613-523-4185 |
| Ottawa Public Health(link is external) | 613-580-6744 TTY: 613-580-9656 |
| Ontario Poison Centre(link is external) | 1-800-268-9017 |
| Ontario Health(link is external) | 1-877-280-8538 TTY: 1-800-855-0511 |
Finding a family doctor
| Service | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Doctor Search College of Physicians & Surgeons of Ontario(link is external) | |
| Find A Dentist – Ontario Dental Association(link is external) | 416-922-3900 |
| Find a Registered Dietician(link is external) | 1-877-510-5102 |
| Health Care Connect(link is external) Help Ontarians find a family health care provider. . | 811 TTY: 1-866-797-0007 |
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(link is external) | 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)(link is external) | 401 Smyth Road 613-737-7600 |
| Queensway-Carleton Hospital(link is external) | 3045 Baseline Road 613-721-2000 |
| Montfort Hospital(link is external) | 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(link is external) 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(link is external) Specialty mental care in Eastern Ontario | 1145 Carling Avenue 613-722-6521 |
| Bruyère Continuing Care(link is external) Élisabeth Bruyère Hospital | 43 Bruyère Street 613-562-6262 |
| Bruyère Continuing Care(link is external) Résidence Saint-Louis | 879 Hiawatha Park Road. 613-824-1720 |
| Bruyère Continuing Care(link is external) Saint-Vincent Hospital | 60 Cambridge Street North 613-233-4041 |
| The Rehabilitation Centre(link is external) | 505 Smyth Road 613-737-7350 TTY: 613-526-1132 |
| University of Ottawa Heart Institute(link is external) | 40 Ruskin Street 613-761-5000 |
Drop in medical clinics
| Service | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Appletree Medical Group(link is external) | |
| Walk-in clinics in Ottawa(link is external) – Health care options directory |
Community health and resources centres
Provincial resources
| Service | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Eastern Ontario Health Unit(link is external) | 613-933-1375 or 1-800-267-7120 |
| French Language Health Services Network of Eastern Ontario(link is external) | 1173 Cyrville Road 613-747-7431 |
| Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care(link is external) |
Local resources
| Service | Contact Information |
|---|---|
| Local mental health help and events | eMentalHealth(link is external) |
| Ottawa Police Service(link is external) | |
| Ottawa Safety Council(link is external) | |
| Ottawa Salus Corporation(link is external) Community Mental Health Services | 200-945 Wellington Street 613-729-0123 TTY: 613-759-8455 |
| OttawaSeniors.com(link is external) | |
| The Children’s Aid Society of Ottawa(link is external) | 613-747-7800 |
| Travelling with medication(link is external) | |
| Youth Services Bureau(link is external) |
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 |
| Ontario Disability Support Program | 613-787-3951 |