Basic Needs

The Peterborough Ontario Health Team brings together healthcare providers, community organizations, patients, and caregivers to improve how care is delivered in the Peterborough region. They host a website that can help people find the care or services they need in our region, including information on urgent care options and how to find a family doctor.

Peterborough Regional Health Centre (PRHC), our regional hospital, delivers acute healthcare to residents and visitors in our region. PRHC has a 24/7 emergency department and provides a host of different healthcare services. Peterborough has one of the largest populations of those over 65 years of age, and as a result, PRHC has developed a Seniors' Care Centre of Excellence.

The Connect Clinic, hosted by the Peterborough Family Health Team, is for residents of Peterborough City and County who don't currently have a family doctor or nurse practitioner. They provide real, ongoing primary care - not a quick fix, but a medical home while you wait for permanent attachment. This is not a walk-in clinic. All patients need to book an intake appointment first. Please visit the Connect Clinic website or call 705-761-4866 for more information or to book an appointment.

Pharmacists are now able to assess and prescribe treatments for up to 28 minor conditions such as UTI's, pink eye, rashes, acid reflux, insect bites, cold sores and seasonal allergies. They can also provide assessments and prescriptions for specific treatments like Paxlovid (COVID-19) or Tamiflu (Influenza), as well as complete the Extension or adaptation of existing maintenance medications for chronic conditions (excluding controlled substances).

Check with your pharmacist to see what services they are able to provide for you.

Homecare helps people stay in their homes after an illness, medical emergency, accident or simply as age makes the tasks of daily living a bit harder to manage. There are a number of different organizations and businesses in our region who can help with a variety of tasks including things like health monitoring, showering, meal prep, household tasks and home maintenance. For a full list, please visit the Seniors Information Guide and Directory.  For specific items related to home care or for household maintenance - please search using the Interactive Seniors Directory.

There are a wide variety of options for housing that offer different levels of care for older adults in the Peterborough region. Visit the Peterborough Seniors Services Directory and scroll down to click on the 'Housing' icon for information about:

• Affordable/Subsidized Housing (note there are waitlists)
• Supportive Housing
• Assisted Living 
• Co-housing
• Retirement Residences
• Shelters
• Long Term Care

Please note that in order to access Long Term Care, you must contact Ontario Health at Home.

Any of the units that are considered affordable or rent-geared-to-income (RGI) will have eligibility criteria and an application process. Part of eligibility is income.

If you are considering your options and need affordable housing, please visit Housing Access Peterborough for more information, and to view the eligibility criteria. Paper copies of the application are available at the Peterborough Social Services office, 178 Charlotte St., Peterborough.

Definitions

Rent-geared-to-income (RGI) means rent is no more than 30% of your income.

Affordable housing means rent is set at or below Average Market Rent (usually between 60 - 100% of Market Rent).through CCRC's Housing Resource Centre - 540 George St N. during regular business hours.

Community Counselling and Resource Centre has a Housing Resource Centre with staff who can help people with questions about rental housing, other housing resources and they provide a list of local rental unit vacancies each week. Listings are available by online or in print at their office located at 540 George St North.  

For more information or to book an appointment with a housing counsellor, call 705-743-2272. 

A monthly, taxable benefit that replaces part of your income when you retire.  If you qualify, you'll receive the CPP retirement pension for the rest of your life.  There are a number of factors that affect how much your monthly benefit will be, mainly the number of years that you worked and your annual income each year. For more information about CPP, please visit the Government of Canada website.

Old Age Security (OSA) is a federal income benefit available to those over 65 who were born in Canada or have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since age 18. There are some provisions for if you lived outside of Canada, and the amount you receive is based on your annual net income. Most people automatically qualify for OAS, and as long as you file your taxes each year you should receive it. 

If you are working after age 65 your employment amount may affect your OAS amount. 

For more information about how much you could receive, please visit the Government of Canada online.

Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a federal benefit available to those over 65 with low income. You must apply for it before you are 65 years old. See eligibility criteria, calculate how much you could receive or apply with the Government of Canada online.

You may be eligible for the allowance if:

• your spouse or common-law partner receives the Guaranteed Income Supplement
• you are 60 - 64 years of age
• you are a Canadian Citizen
• you have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since age 18
• your income combined with your spouse or common-law partner is below the maximum annual income threshold for the Allowance
• neither you nor your spouse is under a sponsorship agreement 

Apply online with the Government of Canada.

You may qualify for the Allowance for the Survivor if:

• your spouse or common-law partner has died and you have not remarried or entered into a new common-law relationship
• you are 60-64 years of age
• you are a Canadian Citizen
• you have lived in Canada for at least 10 years since age 18
• your income is less than the maximum annual income threshold for the Allowance for the Survivor
• you are not currently under a sponsorship agreement you may be eligible.

Apply online through the Government of Canada.

Private pensions are provided by some employers. They can come in the form of RRSP or TFSA contributions or they can be Defined Benefit Plans or Defined Contribution Plans. There are different types of plans that have different tax implications. If you have a private plan, contact your plan administrator for more information. 

Just like with Private pension plans, some employers offer private benefit plans to employees after they retire.  Some of these plans are also available for people to purchase as well. It is important to understand all of the benefits available to you with a private benefit plan as some may include coverage for:

• Medications
• Hospital Stays
• Therapies (Registered Massage Therapy, Chiropractic, Physiotherapy and more)
• Home Care (PSW or Nursing Care)
• other types of care covered

There are a number of online tools that can help you plan for your retirement. The Government of Canada provides an online resource page.

Community Care Peterborough offers the Meals on Wheels program to provide quality and affordable meals older adults, and adults with disabilities who could benefit from them including those unable to shop for groceries, have difficulty cooking or those recovering from illness or surgery. Meals are available frozen or delivered hot and ready to eat, and there is a grocery delivery program available.

There are over 40 local community gardens available in the City of Peterborough, and some available in different areas of the county as well.

There are also a number of different workshops and resources available to those looking to grow their own food in our region, including through Local Food Peterborough.

The City of Peterborough hosts a Food Support webpage that lists different organizations that offer free meals, food banks in Peterborough City and County, virtual cooking classes, Gleaning (picking fruits and vegetables at area farms), and food support for pregnant women.

The site below also has a link to the food calendar. A listing of the different food supports open in the area that is organized by date and operating hours. Print copies of the food calendar are also available at the Social Services office (173 Charlotte St) and at CCRC (540 George St Peterborough) for pick up.

Click here for the Food support web page

Call or text 988 or visit the national Suicide and Emotional Distress Helpline for Canadians online. 988 is for anyone who is thinking about suicide or is worried about someone they know. Connect to a responder to get help without judgement. 

Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough is a local call center that offers a non-judgmental, confidential listening ear to anyone in need. The telecare service is free, operates 24/7 and uses trained, caring volunteers who are willing to listen. To access this service, please call 705-745-2273 or visit Telecare Distress Centre of Peterborough online.

TALK NOW, run by the Peterborough Regional Health Centre, offers mental health and addiction services for all ages. For support, please call 705-876-5826 to be connected with a mental health professional. Phone lines are answered Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The line is closed on weekends and statutory holidays.

Canadian Mental Health Association offers support by phone at 705-748-6711 or online.

Community Counselling and Resource Centre (CCRC) offers individual, group and couples counselling for various mental health concerns. Appointments are available by phone, in person or via secure video calling. Visit CCRC online or call 705-743-2272 ext. 308 for more information.

Psychiatric Assessment Services for the Elderly (PASE) provides mental health assessment, consultation and education services for people 65 and older. PASE can be reached at 705-876-5076.

The Peterborough Family Health Team offers one-on-one or group mental health support. Services are by doctor referral. Call 705-740-8020 to find out more about our groups. If you do not have a family doctor, you can call the Virtual Care Clinic to be connected with mental health services by dialing 705-536-0882.