Basic Needs

Accessing basic needs like food and housing can be a struggle for many older adults living in the greater Peterborough area. Many older adults are not aware of programs, services, and options available to support healthy aging.

AFP, with support from Peterborough Public Health and United Way Peterborough and District, created the Peterborough Senior Service Directory. You can search for an agency or by category, like housing, meal delivery, or safety. This is your access to local providers.

Age-friendly Peterborough is working diligently with our community partners to ensure that older adults who live in the greater Peterborough area have access to the most updated information. Our goal is, as a community, to help everyone: Stay safe. Stay well. Stay connected.

Housing

Peterborough Seniors Service Directory

Peterborough offers many different types of housing and levels of care to older adults. Visit Peterborough Seniors Services Directory for information about:

• Affordable/Subsidized Housing, 
• Co-housing,
• Retirement Residences,
• Shelters, and
• Long-Term Care Homes

Once there, click on the "Housing" icon to view full list of housing resources.

Community Counselling and Resource Centre

Visit the Community Counselling and Resource Centre (CCRC) website for housing advice, resources, and a frequently updated list of rentals. You can also book an appointment with a counsellor to talk about housing options. To contact CCRC for assistance and counselling related to housing, please dial: 705-743-2272

Financial support

Please visit Community Connection 211 - Peterborough Seniors Service Directory for a full list of financial supports and assistance programs. 

Old Age Security

The Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) is a monthly payment you can receive if you meet all of the following: (2021)

• you are 65 or older
• you live in Canada
• you get the Old Age Security (OAS) pension
• your income is below $18,744 if you are single, widowed, or divorced
• your income plus the income of your spouse/common-law partner is below:
• $24,768 if your spouse/common-law partner receives the full OAS pension
• $44,928 if your spouse/common-law partner does not receive an OAS pension
• $44,928 if your spouse/common-law partner receives the Allowance

Visit Service Canada's Guaranteed Income Supplement overview and application

Service Canada

A single point of access to a wide range of government services and benefits including Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Survivor’s Pension, and retirement planning information.

Visit Service Canada

Healthy aging

Community agencies, governments and health organizations provide health services to help keep older adults healthy and engaged in our community.

Visit Peterborough Seniors Services Directory for a full list of local health services and supports. Once there, click on the "Community Health" icon to view full list of local health services.

Food

Meals on Wheels

The Meals on Wheels program provides quality and affordable meals to seniors living alone, adults with disabilities who are unable to shop for groceries or cook for themselves, or those being discharged from an area hospital with limited/no help available during their recovery. There is a hot meal or frozen meal delivery option.

Meals on Wheels

Community Care Grocery Delivery

If you are unable to have your groceries delivered by the store, Community Care volunteers can do your grocery shopping for you.

For more information about the Meals on Wheels Program and the Grocery Delivery Program visit Community Care's website or call: 705-775-3083 ext. 207.

Food calendar

Visit our Food Support webpage for local food resources and information, including our monthly food calendar for a listing of free food available to all those in need in the Peterborough area.

Growing Your Own Food

Call your local garden centre or seed supplier if you have specific questions. Visit Local Food Peterborough for a list of locally-owned seed and seedling suppliers.

Nourish Project

You can visit the Nourish Project Website for recipes, cooking videos, tips on gardening, information about community gardening, and more.

Peterborough Family Health Team

The Peterborough Family Health Team offers nutrition programs and workshops.

Mental health

Community Counselling Resource Centre

Community Counselling Resource Centre (CCRC) is scheduling appointments with counsellors by phone or video. To access professional counselling, dial 705-743-2272.

Peterborough Family Health Team

The Peterborough Family Health Team offers Mental Health Support by one-on-one or groups. Please speak to your family doctor about a referral or 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.

TALK NOW

TALK NOW provides free counselling sessions with a mental health and addictions professionals, as well as access to a Nurse Practitioner who specializes in mental health care.

Psychiatric Assessment Services for the Elderly

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.

Canadian Mental Health Association

Canadian Mental Health Association is offering support by phone - call the Peterborough office at 705-748-6711 or visit their website.

9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline

Call or text 9-8-8, the new national Suicide and Emotional Distress Helpline. 9-8-8 is for anyone who is thinking about suicide, or who is worried about someone they know. Connect to a responder to get help without judgement. Call or text 9-8-8- toll-free anytime for support in English or French. Learn about 9-8-8.

Support and safety

911

Call or text 911 immediately if you are in a life-threatening situation for emergency police, fire and medical response.

Crime prevention

Peterborough Police Service offers helpful crime prevention information and tips for seniors. They can be reached at: 705-876-1122.

Crime Stoppers

Crime Stoppers is a community based program that brings local citizens, the media and the police together in partnership to solve crime. HEAR Something, SEE Something, SAY SOMETHING. They can be reached at: 705-745-9000

Peterborough Elder Abuse Prevention Network

Peterborough Elder Abuse Prevention Network (PEAPN) works to address the prevention of elder abuse in Peterborough City and County through networking, information sharing, and raising awareness. Visit the PEAPN website for more information.

Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario

Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario provides services related to education advocacy, services that support seniors who have been abused, as well as services for the prevention of elder abuse. The toll-free number for Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario is 1-833-916-6728.

Seniors Safety Line
1-866-299-1011
24 hours, 7 days a week

Elder mediation

Sometimes it is helpful to have a neutral person guide the conversation with you and your family about delicate topics such as power of attorney and wills.

For more information and to find a local mediator visit the Ontario Association for Family Mediation website https://www.oafm.on.ca/mediator-search/.

Emergency preparedness

An emergency plan has the following:

• Communications plan. The local network could be affected, so ensure you have alternate methods (text message, social media) identified for your contacts.
• Evacuation plan. Identify meeting places near your home and outside your neighborhood along with the evacuation routes.
• Emergency numbers list. Include police, fire, family doctor, Telehealth, Poison control, Friends/Family that can lend a hand, Insurance contact and Utility companies.
• Utility Shut-off Procedure. Water valve, electrical panel, gas valve.
• Special needs. Your emergency kit should provide for medical needs. Medical condition, medical history, health-care contacts, extra medications/supplies For more information on Emergency Preparedness, visit Be Prepared for more information.

What3Words App

What3Words App - location technology helps locate people in an emergency. Peterborough Fire Services and Peterborough Police Service are encouraging people to download the what3words app that uses an innovative global address system to help locate people in an emergency.

What3Words has divided the world into a grid of 3-metre-by-3-metre square with each square having a unique what3words address.

The location technology is being used in countries around the world, where it is helping Police, Fire and Paramedic teams to save precious time, resources and lives.

The free What3Words app can be downloaded for iOS and Android or people can use the online map.

The app works offline, making it ideal for use in rural areas that might have a poor internet connection, such as remote nature areas that are enjoyed by hikers and tourists.