Explore a wide range of local resources and programs designed to support medical care, physical fitness, mental health, home care, and other essential services for older adults.
Medical Services
Explore local health resources designed to support your care, safety, and overall wellness.
Publicly-accessible service that helps people find a family doctor or nurse practitioner who is accepting new patients.
Call Health811
- Dial 8-1-1, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
MedicAlert® Safe and Found Program
Helps police and emergency responders identify a person living with dementia who has gone missing and assists them to return home safely
Finding Your Way®
Program helps people living with dementia, their families, care partners, and communities recognize and reduce the risks of going missing by being prepared. Offers educational courses about living safely in the community and an opportunity to learn about locating technology.
Alzheimer Society of Ontario
Phillips Lifeline
Easy-to-use personal response service that allows clients to summon help any time of day or night, even if unable to speak.
Ontario residents with a valid OHIP card are automatically enrolled into the Ontario Drug Benefit program on the first of the month after turning 65 years of age. Covers most of the cost of over 4,400 prescription drugs, some nutrition products and diabetic testing agents.
Additional government subsidy for low income seniors to help cover more of the cost of prescription drugs.
Ministry of Health
MedsCheck Program
Program allows eligible Ontario residents the opportunity to schedule a free meeting with a Pharmacist to discuss current medications to ensure proper and safe use.
Ministry of Health
Canadian Dental Care Plan
Federal program to make dental care more affordable for eligible Canadians who do not have access to dental insurance.
- Toll free: 1-833-537-4342
- TTY: 1-833-677-6262
Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program
Ontario government funded dental care program. Provides free, routine dental services for low-income seniors who are 65 years of age or older. Eligible residents must apply.
Ministry of Health
Find a Dentist
Publicly-accessible online search tool that helps people find a dentist in their area.
Low Cost Dental Clinic
Durham College Dental Hygiene Clinic
2000 Simcoe St. N., Oshawa
Gordon Willey Building, Room SW107
Canadian Hearing Services
Provides information on hearing health, communication devices, and other available services (e.g. interpretation, captioning, hearing tests.) Counsellors provide home visits, education, demonstrations and recommendations for communication devices.
OHIP covers an annual eye examination for residents under 20 and over 64 years of age, provided by either an optometrist or physician.
Ministry of Health
Physical Health Services
Find programs and supports focused on maintaining your physical health, mobility, and overall well-being.
Canada’s Food Guide
Helps Canadians find the right balance of nutrition and activity to stay fit and healthy.
Dietitians of Canada
Dietitians work with you to provide personalized nutrition advice and practical solutions. Learn more about the role of nutrition in health and find a dietitian in your area.
Durham Region Health Department
Information on Canada’s Food Guide, nutrition, healthy eating on a budget and Community Food Advisors.
Durham Health Connection Line
Health811
Free health helpline which can connect callers to a registered dietician for nutrition and healthy eating counselling and advice.
- Call: 8-1-1
Exercise and Falls Prevention Programs help seniors stay healthy, active and mobile. Residents 65 years and older can join Exercise and Falls Prevention classes free of charge in their community.
Community Care Durham – Ajax and Pickering
1420 Bayly Street, Unit 6, Pickering
The Lighthouse Retreat
845 Westney Road South, Unit 5, Ajax
Foot care professionals (registered nurses and/or, chiropodist), assess and treat skin, nail and foot conditions and can advise on preventative treatment. Fee for service.
Ajax Foot Clinic and Orthotic Centre
48 Church Street South, Ajax
Community Care Durham – Ajax and Pickering
1420 Bayly Street, Unit 6, Pickering
Foot Care Academy
Also provide in-home foot care services.
1550 Kingston Rd., Suite 210, Pickering
- 416-272-3859
Homebound Wellness Centre Inc.
845 Westney Road South, Unit 5, Ajax
Residents 65 years of age or older with a valid OHIP card are eligible for government-funded physiotherapy. Includes both in-home and in-clinic services. Must have a family doctor or nurse practitioner referral to access physiotherapy services.
In-home physiotherapy must be requested through Ontario Health atHome – Central East
Ministry of Health
Mental Health Services
Access a range of mental health resources, including both ongoing programs and immediate crisis support.
Crisis C.A.L.L. Line (Crisis Access Linkage Line)
Available 24/7
- Local: 905-666-0483
- Toll-free: 1-800-742-1890
Community Care Durham: WeConnect Program
- 905-837-0017, ext. 229
Distress Centre Durham Crisis Line
Available 24/7
- Local: 905-430-2522
- Toll-free: 1-800-452-0688
Lakeridge Health – Mental Health and Addictions
- Call: 905-440-7534 (or toll-free at 1-833-392-7363)
- CentralConnectMHA@lh.ca
Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
VON Durham
1615 Dundas St. E., Lang Tower West Building, Suite 304, Whitby
Alcoholics Anonymous – Durham Region
Central Lake Ontario Narcotics Anonymous
- 24-Hour Helpline 1-888-811-3887
Lakeridge Health Oshawa – Pinewood Centre
- Intake (24-hour support): 905-721-4747
- Community Treatment Service – Ajax Office
- 95 Bayly St. W., Suite 406, Ajax
- 905-683-5950
Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline
Respite, Palliative, and Home Care Services
Hospice palliative care is aimed at relieving suffering and improving the quality of life for persons living with advanced illnesses.
VON Durham Hospice Services
Fee for Service Providers
Meridian Home Health
Alternative Home Care
Right At Home Canada
The Lighthouse Retreat Inc.
Central intake organization to access government-funded in-home healthcare and support services. Connect with a Care Coordinator who acts as a single point of access to services such as:
- Long-term care;
- Nursing;
- Personal support (bathing, getting dressed);
- Respite;
- Health care professionals (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech-language therapy, social work);
- Nutritional counselling;
- Medical supplies and equipment
Ontario Health atHome – Central East
- 310-2222 (no area code required)
- Toll Free: 1-800-263-3877
- TTY: 1-877-743-7939
Community Care Durham – Ajax-Pickering
1420 Bayly St., Unit 6, Pickering
The Lighthouse Retreat Inc.
845 Westney Rd. S., Unit 5, Ajax
VON Durham – Day Hospice
1615 Dundas St. E., Whitby
West Tower, Suite 304
Programs requiring referral from Ontario Health atHome (Toll Free: 1-800-263-3877):
Centre D’Accueil Heritage – French-Speaking Adult Day Program
384 Hillside Ave., Oshawa
Hillside Estates Adult Day Program
590 Oshawa Blvd. N., Oshawa
- 905-579-1777, ext. 6318
Meridian Home Health
Alternative Home Care
Community Care Durham – Ajax Pickering
Homebound Wellness Centre Inc.
Home Instead Senior Care
Right At Home Canada
Senior Helpers Durham Region
Other Supports and Services
Find additional supports and services that can help with everyday needs, comfort, and staying connected.
Community Care Durham – Ajax/Pickering
Distress Centre Durham – Senior Reassurance
Homebound Wellness Centre Inc.
Fee for service
Any Ontario resident who has a long-term physical disability and requires the use of a device for six months or longer may be eligible to receive funding assistance towards personalized assistive devices to help them live more independently.
Ministry of Health