CAMH & community resources for older adults: Breakthrough Spring 2004

At the Centre

Community Care Access Centre (CCAC)
There are many different kinds of services that help seniors maintain their health and independence. If you or a loved one need care, a variety of options, many government-funded, are available. Care can be provided in your home (Home and Community Support Services) or you or your loved one can move to a place where care is available (Residential Care).

If you are interested in health and personal services at home, such as visits from a nurse, or need help making meals or with personal hygiene, you can access services from your local Community Care Access Centre (CCAC). To find out more about your local CCAC, call the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care INFOline at 1-800-268-1154 (Toll-free in Ontario only). In Toronto, call (416) 314-5518 or TTY 1-800-387-5559. Staff are available to take your call between 8:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

211Toronto.ca
211Toronto.ca is your connection to information about community, social, health and government services. You can also access this information by phone. Dial 211 in Toronto, 24 hours a day, to speak to trained staff who will provide you with information on the services you are looking for. 211 is free, confidential and multilingual.

Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (ACE)
ACE is a community legal clinic serving older adults in Toronto that offers legal support for cases involving issues of particular importance to seniors, such as long term care, elder abuse, pensions, income maintenance, retirement home tenancies, mental health and competency. They also offer assistance in dealing with government bureaucracies and will visit the home or a care facility if necessary. You must be 60 years and over and meet financial or case eligibility guidelines. Services are free and confidential, and are funded by Legal Aid Ontario. Tel: (416) 598-2656. Web site: <www.advocacycentreelderly.org>.

NeighbourLink Downtown Toronto
NeighbourLink is a service in downtown Toronto (south of Bloor street, and between Pape and Bathurst) through which volunteers from participating downtown churches provide services such as friendly visiting, transportation to medical and other appointments, shopping, home help, filling out forms, tutoring, and delivering food to older adults on low incomes not served by other agencies. Call (416) 921-7214 to learn more.

Carefirst
Carefirst is a charitable, non-profit community-based social services agency that provides services to the Greater Toronto Area and has been a predominant senior service provider in the Chinese community since 1976.

Carefirst specializes in providing a comprehensive range of high quality community support services, to improve the quality of living for our seniors and to provide services to those with disabilities or special needs. For general enquiries, please direct your request to the North Toronto Office at (416) 502-2323.

Learning about... CAMH Psychogeriatric Assessment Consultation and Education (PACE) Clinics
As part of its commitment to providing community-based services, CAMH is home to several PACE clinics in the Toronto area, whereby outreach teams provide a range of services to older adults.

Clinic staff are able to provide assessment and counselling, support and medication monitoring in the client's own environment.

The clinics also provide: crisis services (during clinic hours); consultation to community agencies; advocacy, education and support to the clients' family members; and community education.

The PACE Central and West locations also offer Day Programs. These programs provide organized therapeutic and recreational activities, classes on health and  age related topics, and organized community outings. PACE  East offers a weekly social / therapeutic group.

To learn more, contact the PACE clinic nearest you:

• PACE Central/East: Contact:  (416) 535-8501, ext. 3448.
  Location: Queen Street site, Administration Building, 1st floor
• PACE West: Contact:  (416) 535-8501, ext. 7206.
  Location: 3170 Lake Shore Blvd. West, Suite 202
• PACE Peel: Contact:  (416) 535-8501, ext. 7716.
  Location: 30 Eglinton Avenue West, Suite 755, Mississauga

R. Samuel McLaughlin Addiction and Mental Health Information Centre
With an enhanced toll-free Information Line, including Information and Referral specialists and audio-taped messages, and a telephone  support line staffed by  volunteers providing informal  and/or peer support, the McLaughlin Addiction and Mental Health Information Centre provides helpful and friendly information when you need it.  E-mail the Information  Centre at: mclaughlininformation@camh.net.  In Toronto, call 416-595-6111 or visit our new location in  Toronto at 219 Dufferin Street. Outside Toronto,  call 1-800-463-6273.

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