Seniors in Canada have access to various government resources that help enhance their quality of life and promote healthy aging.
In this post, you will find several free resources for seniors from the Government of Canada. If you are seeking information on financial support, social programs or healthcare, this guide will help you navigate the various relevant online resources for seniors.
The Government’s Free Resources for Seniors in Canada
Fraud Protection
Having fraud protection resources helps you protect yourself against fraud, scams and financial exploitation and minimize your risk of becoming a victim of fraudulent schemes.
- Fraud Protection Strategies for Seniors
- Seniors Guidebook to Safety and Security | Fraud and Scams
- Fraud Prevention Resources for Seniors
- Ontario | Scams and Fraud
- Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre
Financial Counseling
These resources help seniors effectively manage their finances and ensure they can remain financially stable and independent.
- Government of Canada:
- British Columbia: Financial Planning
- Canadian Bankers Association | Your Money Seniors Program
- Financial Planning Canada
Mental Health Support
Below are resources that provide seniors with access to professional guidance and support in addressing and managing mental health challenges and promoting overall well-being.
- 211
- eMentalHealth.ca
- Canadian Coalition for Seniors’ Mental Health (CCSMH): Supporting the Mental Health of Older Adults
- Canadian Counseling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA)
- Government of Canada: Mental Health Support Resources
- External Organizations – Older Adult’s Mental Health
- Mental Health Commission of Canada: Older Adult Mental Health and Well-being
Housing Options
The resources and information below cover the different programs and services that help you find and access affordable housing.
- Government of Canada:
- British Columbia | Seniors Housing
- Ontario | Housing Options for Low-income Seniors
- Quebec | Housing Options
Legal Matters
Access to legal information and resources helps you navigate legal challenges that commonly affect them you. You also gain an understanding of your legal rights, helping you to avoid being abused and exploited.
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police | Seniors Guidebook to Safety and Security
- Alberta | Elder Abuse
- Ontario | Legal Matters
- Ontario | Human Rights Commission | Specific issues facing older persons
- Toronto Council on Aging: Elder Abuse
- Quebec | Seniors’ Legal Issues
Health Services
The resources below serve as a good place to start if you need information crucial to helping you make health decisions.
- Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP)
- Health Canada
- Senior Health Issues
- Government of Canada:
Physical Health Resources
Seniors need to maintain their physical well-being to live independently for as long as possible. The resources listed below provide education and support to promote healthy aging and preserve a healthy lifestyle.
- Government Of Canada:
- 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults Aged 65 Years and Older
- Services and Information on Being Active
- Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living for Older Adults
- Physical Activity Tips for Older Adults (65 Years and Older)
- Promoting Physical Activity
- Public Health Agency of Canada: Chronic Diseases
- Tips to Get Active
- British Columbia | Physical Activity
- Newfoundland and Labrador | Physical Activity Toolkit for Older Adults
- Royal Canadian Mounted Police | 12 Week Fitness Program
Educational Workshops
The resources below provide opportunities for seniors to access information for continuous learning and personal development, learn new skills, and remain updated on pertinent topics and enhance their mental welll-being.
- British Columbia:
- Ontario | Seniors: Employment and Learning
- Labour Education Center | Bringing Seniors Online
Caregiver Resources
The following contain information supporting caregivers, including knowledge, tools and assistance that help caregivers manage challenges in their line of work.
- Government of Canada | Caregiver Resources
- British Columbia | Caring for Seniors
- Manitoba | Caregiver and Family Supports
- Nova Scotia | Caregiver Programs
- Ontario | Caregiving
- The Ontario Caregiver Foundation
Government Benefits
Government benefits for seniors provide financial assistance and support for them and their families to ensure a basic standard of living and assist with health-related costs.
- Canada Pension Plan (CPP). The CPP is a monthly retirement pension that replaces part of your income once you retire. Below are additional CPP benefits you may be eligible for:
- CPP Post-Retirement Benefit (PRB). The PRB is an added benefit you can obtain if you continue working and contributing to the plan while receiving your CPP payments.
- CPP Disability Benefit. This is a monthly payment to support eligible CPP contributors who are unable to work due to a disability.
- CPP Survivor’s Pension. This is a monthly payment provided to the surviving spouse or common-law partner of a deceased CPP contributor.
- CPP Children’s Benefit. This is a monthly financial support for the dependent children of a deceased or disabled CPP contributor.
- CPP Death Benefit. This benefit is a one-time lump-sum payment to the estate or eligible survivors of a deceased CPP contributor to help cover funeral costs.
- Old Age Security (OAS) Pension. The OAS is a monthly pension provided to individuals 65 or older who have lived in Canada for at least 10 years, whether or not they were employed.
- Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). The GIS is an income-based monthly benefit paid out to eligible, low-income OAS pensioners aged 65 or older.
- Allowance for the Survivor. This benefit is a monthly payment provided to eligible Canadian residents aged 60-64 whose spouse or common-law partner has died.
- Tools:
- Government of Canada | Benefits Finder. The Benefits Finder is a tool that provides a customized list of federal, provincial or territorial benefits for which you may qualify.
- Service Canada. Service Canada is a single point of access seniors can use to obtain information on government services and benefits.
Resources by Province
Below are more free government resources for seniors in Canada and information on health, community and government programs for seniors (by province):
- Alberta | Seniors, Community and Social Services
- British Columbia | Services and Information Topics for Seniors
- Manitoba | Seniors Guide
- New Brunswick | Seniors and Healthy Aging
- Newfoundland & Labrador | Seniors and Aging
- Northwest Territories | Seniors’ Information Handbook
- Nova Scotia | Department of Seniors and Long-term Care
- Nunavut | Programs for Senior Citizens
- Ontario | Programs and Services for Seniors
- Prince Edward Island | Programs for Seniors
- Quebec | Programs and Services for Seniors
- Saskatchewan | Seniors Services
- Yukon | Guide to Yukon Seniors’ Programs and Services
