Seniors & Older Adults Support

Print this checklist or save it for a conversation with Sahan. Not every item applies to everyone, and eligibility rules can change.

• Check whether Service Canada has sent an Old Age Security enrolment letter. If not, review whether an application is required.
• Review Canada Pension Plan options. CPP is based on contributions and can generally start between ages 60 and 70; starting age affects the amount.
• If income is low and you receive OAS, review the Guaranteed Income Supplement. File income tax every year so benefits can be assessed and continued.
• Review Ontario’s Guaranteed Annual Income System. Eligible seniors are generally assessed through tax and federal benefit information.
• File the annual income-tax return, even with little or no income. Ask about a free tax clinic if the return is simple and income is modest.
• Review dental coverage, prescription coverage and other health supports. Do not assume every service or cost is covered.
• Review housing costs, rent support, accessibility needs and whether home or community care is needed.
• Confirm identification, mailing address and safe access to My Service Canada Account and CRA account.
• Review transportation options, including TTC senior fares and Wheel-Trans eligibility if disability limits use of conventional transit.
• Save official telephone numbers separately. Never share passwords, PINs or security codes with a helper.

How Sahan can help: locate official information, organize letters and questions, help with a computer or appropriate form, and help contact Service Canada. Sahan cannot decide eligibility, calculate an official benefit amount or access an account using your password.

Canadian Dental Care Plan: the federal plan has eligibility rules, including no access to private dental insurance, filed tax returns, adjusted family net income below the current limit and Canadian tax residency. Coverage may not pay the full cost. Confirm that a dental provider participates and ask about possible charges before treatment. Canadian Dental Care Plan

Ontario Drug Benefit: eligible Ontario residents, including many people age 65 or older, may receive prescription-drug coverage. Deductibles and co-payments can apply. Low-income seniors may qualify for the Seniors Co-Payment Program. Ontario prescription drug coverage

Trillium Drug Program: people with high prescription costs relative to household income may be able to apply. Eligibility and deductible rules apply. Trillium Drug Program

Vision and hearing: OHIP eye-care rules changed on 1 September 2023. Under the current rule, most eligible seniors without a qualifying medical condition receive one major eye exam every 18 months; different coverage can apply when a qualifying condition is present. Ontario’s Assistive Devices Program may help with eligible hearing devices. Confirm current rules before booking or buying. Assistive Devices Program

For non-emergency health advice, call 811 or use Health811. Call 911 for an emergency.

Ontario Health atHome coordinates publicly funded home and community care and long-term-care placement. A person, family member, caregiver or health professional can ask for an assessment, with the person’s consent where required. Telephone: 1-833-515-1234. Ontario Health atHome

Write down changes in mobility, medication routines, eating, memory, personal care or safety.

Ask Ontario Health atHome what assessment and services may be available. Eligibility and service levels are determined by the responsible organization.

Use 211 and Toronto seniors services to find meal programs, caregiver supports, friendly visiting, recreation and local community programs.

If the home needs equipment or accessibility changes, ask about qualified assessment and current funding programs before buying.

If independent living may no longer be safe, ask for a professional assessment. Sahan does not conduct health or capacity assessments.

Start early if rent is becoming unaffordable, the home is inaccessible, a landlord notice has arrived or independent living is becoming difficult. Options may include rent-geared-to-income housing, supportive housing, rent-arrears help, home-care assessment or emergency shelter. Eligibility, availability and wait times vary.

Related Sahan page: Housing & Shelter Assistance

TTC offers senior fares for riders age 65 or older. TTC is changing senior monthly pass arrangements on 1 September 2026, including monthly fare capping. Check the current TTC fare page before buying a pass. TTC fares and passes

Wheel-Trans is based on disability-related barriers to using conventional TTC, not age alone. An application and eligibility decision are required. TTC Community Bus and local community transportation may also help some riders. Use 211 to identify neighbourhood options and ask each provider about eligibility, booking and cost. Wheel-Trans

If food, meals, utilities or essential household costs are difficult, call or text 211 for current local services. Daily Bread Food Bank also maintains a program-by-location directory. Some programs have catchment areas, schedules or registration requirements; confirm before travelling. Daily Bread — find food

Abuse can be physical, emotional, sexual or financial. It can also involve neglect, isolation, threats, pressure, withholding care or controlling money and documents. The person causing harm may be a relative, caregiver, friend, neighbour or someone else.

If there is immediate danger, call 911. For confidential information and support, call the Seniors Safety Line at 1-866-299-1011. A person can ask questions without having every detail or knowing what to call the situation. Ontario elder abuse information

Sahan can help locate information and appropriate services. Sahan does not investigate abuse, provide emergency protection or replace police, health care, legal advice or adult-protection services.

Pause when someone demands money, secrecy, gift cards, cryptocurrency, a bank transfer, remote access to a device or a security code. Government departments, banks and police can be impersonated.

• Hang up or stop the conversation. Do not use the telephone number or link supplied by the caller or message.
• Contact the organization using an official government website, the number on the back of a bank card or another trusted source.
• Do not share passwords, PINs, security answers or one-time verification codes.
• Talk to a trusted person before transferring money. Urgency and secrecy are warning signs.
• If money or account information may have been exposed, contact the bank or affected service immediately and change credentials using a safe device.
• Report fraud to local police when appropriate and to the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. Call 911 only for immediate danger.

Common approaches include government impersonation, bank alerts, grandparent emergencies, romance scams, investment schemes, identity theft, fake technical support and suspicious links.

Sahan may help with government websites, email, downloading documents, printing, scanning, online inquiries and booking appointments where appropriate. The account holder must remain in control.

For My Service Canada Account and CRA account, use the official sign-in pages. Avoid search advertisements and links in unexpected messages. My Service Canada Account

Caregivers may be spouses, adult children, relatives, friends or neighbours. It is reasonable to ask for help before stress becomes a crisis. Ontario Caregiver Helpline can provide information and referrals: 1-833-416-2273. Ontario Caregiver Coalition

Ontario Health atHome can discuss home-care assessment, and 211 can identify respite and local programs.

If you are helping another adult, respect their choices and privacy. Do not use their accounts or make decisions for them unless you have lawful authority.

Social isolation can affect wellbeing. Toronto offers recreation, learning, volunteering, cultural activities and community programs for older adults. Start with the City’s seniors recreation page, Toronto Public Library, local community centres and 211. Ask about accessibility, cost and registration before attending. Toronto recreation for seniors

Sahan can provide general information, help organize pension letters or government notices, help locate official forms and provide notary or commissioner services within the approved Sahan scope. Powers of attorney, wills, benefits appeals and legal rights can have serious consequences. Seek independent legal advice when advice or representation is required.

Related Sahan page: Legal Information, Navigation & Notary Services

• Listen to the broad issue and help identify a practical starting point.
• Find official public information and the correct government or community contact.
• Help organize letters, questions and appropriate forms.
• Help with telephone calls, online inquiries, computers, printing or scanning where available.
• Connect the person with established agencies or qualified professionals.
• Provide language and navigation assistance where available.

What Sahan cannot do. Sahan does not provide emergency response, medical assessment, home care, transportation, housing placement, financial advice, legal advice or representation. Sahan cannot decide eligibility or guarantee benefits, services, appointments, housing or outcomes.

Share only the information needed to identify a starting point. Do not send passwords, tax records, health records, bank information, legal evidence or detailed information about another person through the website.

Toronto
Sahan Community Network
1735 Kipling Avenue, Lower Level, Suite A, Toronto, Ontario M9R 2Y8
Telephone: +1 416-668-9156
Email: info@sahancommunity.com
I Don’t Know Where to Start — Contact Sahan

• Housing & Shelter Assistance
• Women & Family Support
• Legal Information, Navigation & Notary Services

External organizations operate independently from Sahan. Confirm current information directly with the provider. Resources last reviewed: August 25, 2026.