Seniors and Caregivers
Living independently and stress-free
Ontario has more seniors than ever before, and this population will continue to grow.
Many seniors are lonely, and live without connection to family, friends, or doctors.
Your support of United Way East Ontario helps local seniors and caregivers lead happy, healthy lives.
Seniors and Caregivers
Living independently and stress-free
Ontario has more seniors than ever before, and this population will continue to grow.
Many seniors are lonely, and live without connection to family, friends, or doctors.
Your support of United Way East Ontario helps local seniors and caregivers lead happy, healthy lives.
“It makes you feel that you are not alone in this struggle.”
Brenda is 73 years old and lives alone.
Several years ago, Brenda was listening to the radio when she heard about a program powered by United Way, called Seniors’ Centre Without Walls. The program offers lectures, music, trivia, and other activities that seniors can join by phone—no matter where they are.
“It’s really an amazing group that gives an opportunity to seniors who cannot go out because of isolation or because they cannot move or they are unable to get up from bed,” she said.
Aging brings great challenges
Not only for seniors, but also for their families.
With the growing senior population comes the need for informal caregivers – people like spouses, family, and neighbours – to compensate for the increasing demands on healthcare and social services. Without respite from their duties, many caregivers experience burnout and distress – leading to a cycle of poor health for the whole family.
Many seniors require in-home services and transportation to appointments. Many others rely on day programs for quality social time with others.
When a senior is vulnerable in more ways than one, the challenges they face are even greater. Indigenous seniors, senior women, newcomers, those who have a disability, or members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community are much more likely to feel isolated or have poor mental health.
3 in 10
older adults reported living alone, and more than 1 in 3 reported feelings of loneliness due to the pandemic.
96%
of individuals receiving long-term home care in Canada have an unpaid caregiver. More than 1 in 3 of these caregivers reported feeling distressed.
38
is the average number of unpaid hours a distressed caregiver spends on caregiving duties each week – the equivalent of a full-time job.
30%
of seniors in some local neighbourhoods live on a low income.
How we help
United Way East Ontario knows preventing loneliness and isolation is key to a senior’s wellbeing. We work with partners across Prescott-Russell, Ottawa, Lanark County, and Renfrew County to power a network of programs offering positive social connection for seniors, keeping them healthy and active in their homes and communities for longer.
For friends or family who have been thrust into a new world of responsibility as they care for a loved one, respite programs provide a huge relief—reducing caregiver burnout by giving them an opportunity to recharge and connect with others.
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Curbing loneliness
We help isolated and rural seniors stay connected to friends and community with remote and in-person social programs. We ensure transportation is a key facet of all programs offered in rural communities.
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Filling in service gaps
We convene community partners and participate in networks like Successful Aging Councils to coordinate supports available to seniors and caregivers across our region.
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Keeping seniors healthy
We improve access to nutritious food, basic needs, and wellbeing supports for the most vulnerable seniors – things like grief and bereavement care, transportation to medical appointments, technology training, mental health counselling, and more.
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Speaking up
We advocate to governments for improved policies and increased supports for caregivers, in alignment with recommendations in our Eastern Ontario Caregiver Strategy.
Data-driven decision making
United Way knows we can only tackle the root causes of tough problems once we deeply understand the issue. Together with our partners, we studied the state of seniors’ and caregivers’ needs across our region so we can deploy our resources where they are needed most and will have the greatest impact.
Here’s a peek at this research:
The Senior Vulnerability Index maps how seniors in East Ontario are doing, based on key indicators such as age, income and education levels, location, and access to in-home support.
What impact looks like
What impact looks like
We’re committed to research and evaluation that fuels smart investments in social, recreational, and peer programs. These services reduce isolation and improve the health and wellbeing of seniors and their families.
Together with our donors, we ensure our region’s vulnerable seniors maintain their independence so their family, friends, and caregivers can thrive too.
We take accountability seriously.
You should feel confident when supporting a charity, and we’re committed to full transparency, accountability, and cost-efficiency. We invest your gift in smart, strategic ways, to ultimately move the needle.
100% LOCAL IMPACT
Every donation is put to work in the community where it is raised to tackle the causes you care about.
TOP 100 CANADIAN CHARITY
Charity Intelligence, MoneySense & Maclean’s named United Way East Ontario a top-100 Canadian charity.
Learn more about United Way’s charity ratings and how your gift is managed here.
Need help?
If you or someone you know is seeking mental health help, here are some immediate resources you can use:
CALL 9-1-1
If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 9-1-1.
DISTRESS CENTRE OF OTTAWA AND REGION
24/7 access to a mental health support hub.
Visit dcottawa.on.ca
Call the Distress Line at 613-238-3311
Text 343-306-5550
211 EASTERN ONTARIO
Find community, social, government, and health services closest to you.
Visit 211ontario.ca or call 2-1-1
