Community Resources
Toronto Dementia NetworkDementia related programs & services available in Toronto. This listing is updated regularly and features listings for Forums, Conferences & Lectures of interest to professionals and those individuals and families that have been touched by Dementia and Alzheimer's.  Alzheimer's Society of TorontoThe role of the Alzheimer Society of Toronto is to offer support, information and education to persons with dementia, their families and their caregivers, to increase public awareness of dementia, to promote research, and to advocate for services that respect the dignity of the individual. The Society provides support, counselling, education and a resource centre for those touched by Alzheimer's. ALS Society of TorontoThe ALS Society of Ontario is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the necessary equipment and support services to those living with ALS as well as to provide funding to the ALS Society of Canada towards research for a cure. The organization consists of a small staff, located throughout the province, and an army of dedicated volunteers. 265 Yorkland Blvd., Suite 300
Alzheimer's Knowledge ExchangeThe Alzheimer's Knowledge Exchange (AKE) is a Community of Practice of people dedicated to improving the quality of life for persons with Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementia (ADRD). The purpose of the AKE is to promote and support a knowledge exchange interface amongst researchers, educators, care providers (paid and non-paid), policy makers and stakeholder organizations working in the field of ADRD. The AKE helps anyone working with persons experiencing Alzheimer Disease or a related dementia. Currently (spring, 2008) almost 1,200 people comprise the AKE network. Generally, these individuals include researchers, educators, care providers (paid and non-paid), policy makers, stakeholder organizations and students. Aphasia InstituteApashia is an acquired disorder caused by an injury to the brain and affects a person's ability to communicate. It is most often the result of stroke or head injury. An individual with aphasia may experience difficulty expressing themselves when speaking, difficulty understanding the speech of others, and difficulty reading and writing.The Aphasia Institute is dedicated to reducing language barriers to full life participation at local, provincial, national and international levels. As a teaching and learning centre, we provide direct service to people with aphasia and their families in the Greater Toronto Area through the Pat Arato Aphasia Centre. We also work to inspire people, both locally and further afield, through advocacy and awareness, education and training, and applied research and resource development. The Arthritis SocietyThe Arthritis Society is Canada’s principal arthritis health charity dedicated to funding and promoting arthritis education, research-based solutions and community-based support. The Society empowers the nearly 4.5 million Canadians with arthritis, 1.8 million in Ontario alone, to live their lives to the fullest by combating the daily limitations of arthritis. In the last 60 years, The Society has invested $160 million towards arthritis research to develop better treatments. Better Living Health and Community ServicesPreviously the Don Mills Foundation for Seniors, the Better Living Health and Community Services is a charitable organization based in Toronto.whose programs and services support individuals, families and communities in living healthy, happy and independently. 1 Overland Drive Toronto, ON M2C 2C3 (416)447-7244 ext. 622 Canadian Cancer Society-Ontario DivisionThanks to the generosity of our donors and to the work of our volunteers and staff, the Canadian Cancer Society is leading the way in the fight against cancer. The Canadian Cancer Society: * funds research on all types of cancer * offers comprehensive and credible information on cancer, risk reduction and treatment * provides support for people living with cancer, family members and friends The Canadian Cancer Society is a private non-profit organization, funded by donations from the public and money raised through our fundraising activities. The Canadian Cancer Society would not be able to offer these services or fund important research without the generous help of donors and volunteers. The Canadian Cancer Society makes the best use of every donated dollar, keeping administration costs low in order to fund research and provide community services to help people living with cancer and their families and friends. Cancer Care OntarioCancer Care Ontario is the provincial agency responsible for continually improving cancer services. As the government’s cancer advisor, Cancer Care Ontario: * Directs and oversees close to $700 million public health care dollars to hospitals and other cancer care providers to deliver high quality, timely cancer services. * Implements provincial cancer prevention and screening programs designed to reduce cancer risks and raise screening participation rates. * Works with cancer care professionals and organizations to develop and implement quality improvements and standards. * Uses electronic information and technology to support health professionals and patient self-care and to continually improve the safety, quality, efficiency, accessibility and accountability of cancer services. * Plans cancer services to meet current and future patient needs, and works with health care providers in every Local Health Integration Network to continually improve cancer care for the people they serve. * Rapidly transfers new research into improvements and innovations in clinical practice and cancer service delivery Canadian Diabetes AssociationThe Canadian Diabetes Association is a leading expert and authority on diabetes in Canada – and around the world. We have a heritage of excellence and leadership that started with our co-founder and co-discoverer of insulin, Dr. Charles Best. Since that time, we have continued to deliver programs and services for people affected by diabetes. We fund leading-edge diabetes research and produce globally recognized diabetes guidelines. We advocate on behalf of those affected and share the latest information with the public and the healthcare community. Canadian Hearing SocietyFounded in 1940 and unique in North America, CHS offers a complete roster of essential services, including sign language interpreting; one-on-one language development for deaf and hard of hearing children using play as the medium of learning; employment consulting; sign language instruction; speechreading training; hearing testing; hearing aids; counselling; and the most complete range of communication devices that assist and augment communication, including TTYs (text telephones), visual smoke detectors, baby monitors, signalling devices and alarm clocks. Canadian Helen Keller CentreThe Canadian Helen Keller Centre (CHKC) is the only residential training centre in Canada for people who have become Deaf-Blind. Their services help people develop alternate ways to care for themselves, their family and their home, plus they facilitate connections to peers and the community through the development of alternative forms of communication, computing and through self-advocacy and peer support. CHKC provides training in skills of daily living and advocacy as well as works to raise awareness and advocates with the Deaf-Blind Community for increased services. Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario DivisionCanadian Mental Health Association, Ontario is committed to improving the lives of people with mental illness and their families, and to the promotion of mental health for all Ontarians.The goal at CMHA, Ontario is to be the primary source of information about mental health, mental illness, and policy in Ontario. Canadian National Institute for the BlindCNIB is a nationwide, community-based, registered charity committed to research, public education and vision health for all Canadians. CNIB provides the services and support necessary for people to enjoy a good quality of life while living with vision loss. Their mission is to enhance independence for people with vision loss and to be the leader in promoting vision health. CNIB is a source of support, information, and most importantly, hope, for all Canadians affected by vision loss. Anyone can come to CNIB. CNIB is active in every region of the country, with staff and volunteers working in offices and often traveling to provide support to clients in their homes and in rural communities. Additionally, they provide vital programs and services, innovative consumer products, research, peer support and one of the world's largest libraries for people with print disabilities. Community Care Access CentresCommunity Care Access Centres (CCACs) are local organizations that can help families and individuals access government-funded home care services and long-term care homes in Ontario. They also help people to navigate the array of community support and health agencies in our communities. CCACs are a key part of the provincial and local health care system. Community Care Access Centres are funded and legislated by the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. CCACs also work collectively with each other and are part of a provincial association called the Ontario Association of Community Care Access Centres. Elder Caring Inc.Elder Caring is a team of experts in Social Work, Occupational Therapy and other allied health professions. Their team has years of experience in working with the disabled, the elderly, and their families. They provide solutions to the issues facing elderly clients at home, and of their families and caregivers. Their goal is to help our elderly clients maintain a high quality of life in their own homes, and to provide support and assistance to their caregivers. The Elder Caring Inc. team assesses clients’ needs, recommends the services they need to live well at home, and accesses these services. Heart and Stroke Foundation of OntarioThe Heart and Stroke Foundation, a volunteer-based health charity, leads in eliminating heart disease and stroke and reducing their impact through the advancement of research and its application, the promotion of healthy living and advocacy. The Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada is a federation of 10 provincial Foundations, led and supported by a force of more than 140,000 volunteers. MEDI chairMEDIchair is North America's largest and fastest growing home medical equipment franchise company with stores from coast-to-coast in Canada. For over 20 years, MEDIchair stores have provided a comprehensive selection of home health care products including manual wheelchairs, electric wheelchair , wheelchair ramps, wheelchair lifts, power wheelchair, electric scooters, mobility scooters, lift chairs, walkers, and stair lifts. They also offer a full range of home medical equipment such as bathroom and bath tub safety products, home accessibility solutions and soft/disposable personal health care products such as incontinence supplies, wound care, compression and bracing. These specialty home health care products are designed to enhance the quality of life for people experiencing disabilities, injuries, surgeries and aging. North York General Hospital ~ Seniors' Health CentreThe Seniors' Health Centre (SHC) coordinates both long-term care and the hospital's Specialized Geriatric Ambulatory Services, (outreach services, elders' clinics including chiropody services). Specialized Geriatric Ambulatory Services is part of the Regional Geriatric Program of Metropolitan Toronto (RGP), an umbrella organization that plans and coordinates specialized geriatric services. North York Seniors Health CentreNorth York Seniors Centre provides programs and services to promote the physical, emotional and social well-being of adults 55+ living in a diverse community. Ontario Community Support AssociationThe Ontario Community Support Association has a membership of 360 home and community care agencies in Ontario. OCSA members are community based, not-for-profit organizations that help people live at home. Ontario Seniors INFOlineThis website for the Ontario Seniors' Secretariat was designed to help seniors and their families find the information they need quickly and easily. It includes: Parkinson Society Canada, Ontario DivisionParkinson Society Canada (PSC) is a national, not-for-profit, volunteer based charity with more than 100 chapters and many support groups working nationwide. As the national voice of Canadians living with Parkinson’s disease, our purpose is to ease the burden and find a cure through research, advocacy, education and support. Pat's PlaceOn June 16/08 Family Service Toronto and Rotary Club of Toronto launched the Safe Haven for Seniors project. The project creates a safe space - called Pat's Place - for seniors who are living in an abusive relationship. Pat's Place will allow seniors in need to take time out from their current situation and gain the emotional space to deal with their issues. Pat’s Place is not a shelter. It is an apartment in a secure location in Toronto that is a temporary, short-term safe haven. People who move to Pat’s Place can stay for up to 60 days. Any person experiencing abuse who is 60 years of age or older can call Family Service Toronto’s Service Access Unit at 416 595 9618 to inquire about Pat’s Place. Philips LifelineLifeline is an easy-to-use personal response service that lets clients summon help any time of the day or night - even if they can't speak. By pressing a Personal Help Button, worn on a wristband or pendant, and a trained Personal Response Associate will ensure they get help fast. Toronto 211 ~ Community ConnectionAn on- line directory sorted into topics, populations and sections that provides listings for over 20,000 community, social, health and government services in the City of Toronto. Red Coats Moving SolutionsDownsizing & planning, selling, recycling, donating. making the move and packing. Staging your home and making your move with peace of mind. Contact: Vicky Riley Keyes Therapist Choice Medical SuppliesTherapist's Choice Medical Supplies offers a wide range of services for their sales and rental customers. For client's convenience they provide a large inventory of products and welcome special orders, including custom seating and wheelchairs. Regional Geriatric Programs of OntarioRegional Geriatric Programs (RGPs) provide a comprehensive network of specialized geriatric services which assess and treat functional, medical, and psychosocial aspects of illness and disability in older adults who have multiple and complex needs. Working in collaboration with primary care physicians, community health professionals, and others we seek to meet the needs of the most frail and vulnerable seniors. In 1986, RGPs were established at Academic Health Sciences Centres in Hamilton, Kingston, London, Ottawa and Toronto and together form the Ontario Provincial Network of Regional Geriatric Programs in 1986. This partnership in education, research and standards of practice is now a key element in the provincial framework of services meeting the needs of Ontario's aging population. Safely HomePeople with Alzheimer’s disease sometimes lose the ability to recognize familiar places, to communicate or to remember their own name or address. They may leave home, become confused and get lost. This can be dangerous for people with the disease and worrisome for caregivers. Safely Home™ is a nationwide program designed to help find the person who is lost and assist in a safe return home. Developed by the Alzheimer Society of Canada in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, a registry stores vital information confidentially on a police database. The information can be accessed by police anywhere in Canada and the United States. Registration~ one time fee of $35. |
