50+

For more information about programs and services that are available to help seniors lead healthy, active, and engaged lives over 65, please visit ontario.ca/Seniors.

Click here to view the guide to programs and services by the Ontario Government  

The Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) shares practical advice on how to deal with challenges of Covid-19.

The Government of Canada recently launched a new portal dedicated to mental wellness: Wellness Together Canada: Mental Health and Substance Use Support. This portal provides free online resources, and connects Canadians to peer support workers, social workers, psychologists and other trained professionals for confidential chat sessions or phone calls, in both official languages. Resources include modules for addressing low mood, worry, substance use, social isolation and relationship issues. 

Government of Ontario Set To Launch Largest Flu Campaign in History

The Ontario government is implementing the largest flu immunization campaign in Ontario's history. The campaign is part of the province's comprehensive plan to prepare the health system for a second wave of COVID-19. The plan, entitled Keeping Ontarians Safe: Preparing for Future Waves of COVID-19, sets out a series of steps to prevent, identify and respond to any outbreak scenario this fall.

COVID-19 Public Health Resources

The Public Health Agency of Canada has resources available to assist seniors and caregivers, including information on how to prevent COVID-19 and tips on taking care of physical and mental health.

What You Need to Know for the 2021 Tax Filing Season

This year, the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected your tax-filing situation and may also affect the way you usually file your income tax and benefit return. Over 30 million returns were filed last season, and the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) wants to help you get ready to file your return this year.  Here’s what you need to know for this tax-filing season, including filing options, COVID-19 benefits, and what’s new.

Some seniors, income support recipients to get low-cost Rogers service
Information regarding the ability for some individuals to receive low-cost Rogers Service.

Beginning the week of July 6, 2020, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC)/Service Canada will provide eligible seniors with a one-time tax-free payment of $300 for seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, with an additional $200 for seniors eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).

This measure would give a total of $500 to individuals who are eligible to receive both the OAS and the GIS, and will help them cover increased costs caused by COVID-19.

Individuals will not have to apply for this additional benefit.

Govt. has also temporarily extended GIS and Allowance payments if seniors’ 2019 income information has not been assessed.  This will ensure that the most vulnerable seniors continue to receive their benefits when they need them the most. To avoid an interruption in benefits, seniors are encouraged to submit their 2019 income information as soon as possible and no later than by October 1, 2020. You may also find information online at  canada.ca/en/services/benefits/publicpensions/notice-covid-19/one-time-payment

PM's office releases information on May 12/20 regarding additional financial supports for older adults.

Here are a few of the key proposed initiatives in Budget 2021 for seniors:
 
Increasing seniors' financial security

The government will increase Old Age Security (OAS) benefits for seniors age 75 and older. Budget 2021 proposes to implement this commitment in two steps:

1. By providing a one-time payment of $500 in August 2021 to OAS pensioners who will be 75 or over as of June 2022.
2. By introducing legislation to increase regular OAS payments for pensioners 75 and over by 10 per cent on an ongoing basis as of July 2022.

This would increase the benefits for 3.3 million seniors, providing additional benefits of $766 to full OAS pensioners in the first year, and indexed to inflation going forward.
 
This would give seniors more financial security later in life, when they are worried about outliving their life savings. As seniors age, their health and home care costs rise, all while they are more likely to be unable to work, have disabilities or be widowed. Our plan helps address these pressures and improve older seniors' quality of life.
 
Helping Seniors Age Well at Home

To support seniors to live in their homes for longer as they age, Budget 2021 proposes to provide $90 million to launch the Age Well at Home initiative. The initiative would assist community-based organizations in providing practical support that helps low-income and otherwise vulnerable seniors age in their homes.
 
It would match seniors with volunteers who can help with meal preparations, home maintenance, daily errands, yard work, and transportation. It would also help seniors access local services such as shoveling snow, cutting grass, picking up medicine and taking care of other practical, non-medical tasks that they are no longer able to manage. 
 
Strengthening Long-term Care and Supportive Care
We welcome the Health Standards Organization and Canadian Standards Association's work to develop national standards for long-term care. Their work with governments, stakeholders, and Canadians will help inform our ongoing collaboration with provinces and territories on improving long-term care, while respecting their jurisdiction.
 
Budget 2021 proposes to provide $3 billion over five years, starting in 2022-23, to Health Canada to support provinces and territories in ensuring standards for long-term care are applied and permanent changes are made, so that seniors and those in care live in safe and dignified conditions.
 
More supports of interest to seniors

In addition to the supports mentioned above, Budget 2021 proposes to:

• Build, repair, and support an additional 35,000 affordable housing units for vulnerable Canadians,      including seniors. This is part of the National Housing Strategy, which is on track to invest $70 billion by 2027-28 to help more Canadians find an affordable place to call home.
• Help more families and people living with disabilities access the existing Disability Tax Credit and other related support      measures.
• Improve access to palliative care and end-of-life care, including culturally sensitive care by proposing to provide $29.8 million over six years, starting in 2021-22, to Health      Canada to advance the government's palliative care strategy and lay a better foundation for coordinated action on long-term and supportive care needs.
• Provide $100 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to the Public Health Agency of Canada to support projects for innovative mental health      interventions for populations disproportionately impacted by COVID 19, including      seniors.
• Invest $400 million in 2021-22 to Employment and Social Development Canada to create a temporary Community Services Recovery      Fund to help charities and non-profits adapt and modernize so      they can better support the economic recovery in our communities.
• Extend the Canada Recovery Caregiving Benefit an      additional 4 weeks, to a maximum of 42 weeks, in the event that caregiving options are not sufficiently available.
• Invest $50 million over five years, starting in 2021-22, for the Public Health Agency of Canada to      design and deliver interventions that promote safe relationships and prevent family violence, including elder abuse.
• Provide an additional $15 million over three years, starting in 2021-22, to Veterans Affairs Canada      to expand and enhance the Veteran and Family Well-Being Fund for      projects that will support veterans during the post COVID-19 recovery, including addressing homelessness, employment, retraining, and health challenges.

 Access to Food Bank of Waterloo Region During the Pandemic

 If you are experiencing food concerns/shortages as a result of COVID-19, please call The Food Bank of Waterloo Region at 519-743-5576 ext. 340 and leave your name and number.  A representative from the Food Bank will connect with you.