A list of community resources to assist with advance care planning

This booklet, A Guide to Advance Care Planning, is available online at the Ontario Senior's Secretariat Web site at www.ontarioseniors.ca or by calling the Seniors' INFOline at 1-888-910-1999.

Ontario Seniors' Secretariat (OSS)

Ontario is home to about 1.6 million seniors - 40 per cent of Canada's seniors. By 2041, it is estimated that almost a quarter of Ontario's population will be over 65. The Ontario Seniors' Secretariat has two primary tasks: to develop and support government initiatives which improve the quality of life of Ontario's seniors and to undertake and support public education efforts for and about Ontario's seniors.

Ontario Seniors' Secretariat
777 Bay Street, Suite 601C
Toronto ON   M7A 2J4
Website: www.ontarioseniors.ca

Seniors' INFOline
Toll-free: 1-888-910-1999 (Ontario only)
Local calls: 416-314-7511
TTY: 1-888-387-5559 (Ontario only)

Alzheimer Society of Ontario (ASO)

The Alzheimer Society of Ontario is a province-wide, not-for-profit organization with a membership of 39 local Chapters located throughout Ontario. The ASO supports the local Chapters to provide education and support services to improve the quality of life of persons with Alzheimer Disease and related dementias and their caregivers. For the telephone number of an Alzheimer Society Chapter in your community, contact:

Telephone: 416-967-5900
Website: www.alzheimerontario.org

Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee

The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee is part of the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General. Contact them for information about Powers of Attorney for Personal Care; Continuing Powers of Attorney for Property; the Substitute Decisions Act; and guardianship.

Telephone: 416-314-2800 (Toronto) 1-800-366-0335 (toll-free)
Website: www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/family/pgt/ website

Community Care Access Centres (CCACs)

CCACs provide access for people who need in-home health services and support or accommodation in long-term care centres. There are Community Care Access Centres throughout Ontario, funded by the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care. Contact your local CCAC for information about personal care services, respite care, homemaking and other services available in your community. For the telephone number for your local Community Care Access Centre, contact:

Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
INFOline: 1-800-268-1154
Website: www.health.gov.on.ca

Regional Geriatric Programs (RGPs) of Ontario

RGPs offer a range of specialized geriatric services that assess and treat functional, medical and psychosocial aspects of illness and disability in older adults who have multiple and complex needs.

The RGP services five regional areas of Toronto, Kingston, Hamilton, Ottawa and London. For information about cognitive assessments, care planning, services for seniors or contact information for a regional office, contact:

Telephone:
Toronto  416-480-6026
Kingston  613-544-7767
Ottawa  613-761-4568
Hamilton  905-521-2100, ext. 74007
London  519-685-4046
Website: www.rgps.on.ca

Advocacy Centre for the Elderly (ACE)

ACE is a legal clinic for low-income seniors aged 60 or older in the greater Toronto area. It provides legal advice and representation, legal education and advocacy services and has expertise in advance care planning. To reach ACE, contact:

Telephone: 416-598-2656
Website:www.acelaw.ca

Law Society of Upper Canada

As a service to the public and members, the Law Society of Upper Canada provides links to lawyers that have been submitted by law firms and individual lawyers. No endorsement is implied. To find a lawyer, contact:

Website: www.lsuc.on.ca
Website: www.yellowpages.ca

Lawyer Referral Service (LRS)

Telephone: 1-900-565-4577

(Please note that you must be 18 years of age to access this service, and that, at the time of printing this guide, there is an automatic $6 toll charge for calling this number).

Legal Aid

Telephone: 1-800-668-8258 (toll-free)
Website: www.legalaid.on.ca

Consent and Capacity Board

The Consent and Capacity Board is an independent body created by the provincial government that conducts hearings under the Mental Health Act, the Health Care Consent Act and the Substitute Decisions Act. For further information regarding hearings related to capacity, wishes and substitute decision-making as well as application forms and detailed contact information for the regional and head offices of the Board, contact:

Telephone: 416-327-4142
Website: www.ccboard.on.ca

Publications Ontario

This booklet provides information about some features of Ontario's Health Care Consent Act and the Substitute Decisions Act. Copies of these Acts and other legislation are available from Publications Ontario.

Telephone: 416-326-5300 (Toronto) 1-800-668-9938 (toll-free)
Website: www.publications.serviceontario.ca/ecom/