Supporting Seniors and People with Disabilities During Provincewide Shutdown
As Ontario declares a second state of emergency, the government is reminding everyone about the resources available to help seniors and people with disabilities in need throughout this period.
Supports and services available to seniors and people with disabilities include:
The Ontario Community Support Program, which helps provide deliveries of food, medicine and other essentials to low-income seniors and people with disabilities in need. You can request a delivery by visiting the COVID-19 Community Support Finder, dialing 211 or calling toll free: 1-877-330-3213/ TTY: 1-888-340-1001.
211 Ontario, which also helps connect seniors and people with disabilities to a range of other social and community services. Help is available over the phone or online through email or live chat.
Seniors can contact their local Seniors Active Living Centre to learn more about local social, cultural or educational programs that may be offered virtually or by telephone.
The Seniors Safety Line, a 24-hour crisis and support line for seniors in Ontario who have experienced any type of abuse or neglect, which offers callers emotional support, safety planning, information and referrals in over 200 languages.
ConnectABILITY.ca, a website and virtual community that offers information and resources to support individuals with developmental disabilities and their families.
Ontario is also helping organizations, including those serving seniors and people with disabilities, to access the resources they need. Organizations that are looking for volunteer support can post opportunities on Spark Ontario, and local companies offering personal protective equipment (PPE) can be found through Ontario's Workplace PPE Supplier Directory.
Quick Facts
Ontario announced a provincewide shutdown that went effect at 12:01 am on December 26, 2020.
Ontario is continuing the Ontario Community Support Program, with a total investment of $16 million over two years, to connect people with disabilities, older adults and others with underlying medical conditions who are self-isolating, with meals, medicines and other essentials while they stay at home.
Since the program was launched in April 2020, more than half a million deliveries of food, medicines and other essentials have been made.
On December 30, 2020, Ontario released an Ethical Framework for COVID-19 vaccine distribution which was developed in partnership with the COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Task Force to guide vaccine prioritization and distribution across the province.
Tips to help you this tax season from the Canada Revenue Agency!
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) understands that the COVID-19 pandemic may have affected the usual ways seniors manage their taxes. Here are some tips to help prevent disruptions to your tax and benefit affairs, as well as to help you when completing your income tax and benefit return in order to ensure you receive all the benefits and credits to which you are entitled!
Sign up for direct deposit and file online to reduce delays
The CRA encourages you to sign up for direct deposit, file your income tax and benefit return online, and update your address and personal information, to get any refund faster and avoid delays. The CRA also encourages you to sign up for My Account, the fastest and easiest way to view and manage your tax and benefit information. The CRA’s Get Ready page has information on online filing, deadlines, and other helpful links.
If you filed your return on paper last year, the CRA will automatically send you an income tax and benefit package by mail, so there is no need to leave your home to get one, reducing your potential exposure to COVID-19. File your return soon after you receive your package to get any refund for which you may be eligible for, and to help ensure that your benefit and credit payments are not interrupted.
In addition, you may owe tax when filing your return. This will depend on your personal circumstances, and the type of COVID-19 benefits you received:
- If you received the CERB or CESB, no tax was withheld when payments were issued, and you may owe tax when filing your 2020 tax return.
- If you received the CRB, CRSB, or CRCB, 10% tax was withheld at source. However, this may not be all the tax you need to pay. When you complete your personal income tax return, you may need to pay more (or less), depending on how much income you earned in 2020.
We recognize that for some individuals, repaying these benefits could present significant financial hardship. For this reason, payment arrangement parameters have been expanded to give Canadians more time and flexibility to repay based on their individual financial situations.
There may be other impacts to filing your tax return that are specific to the COVID-19 benefit you received, or if you are a resident in Quebec.
Partners for Planning: Tips for Self-Care During Covid-19
Why Self Care NOW?
It’s essential. In this prolonged state of fear and uncertainty, we’re left in a state of hyper-arousal or constant stress.
The impact? You may find yourself feeling tired, forgetful, distracted or irritable. You might experience hives, stomach problems or headaches. And long-term stress can lead to depression, anxiety, chronic fatigue or other health issues.
What helps? Scheduling frequent bouts of daily self-care can help you recharge—even during a pandemic.
Here are some quick, powerful and easy things to try:
KEEP STRONG
Exercise
Research shows that thirty minutes a day of moderate exercise (like walking) can be a powerful health and mood boost. Three bouts of ten minute walks provide similar benefits. A few minutes moving outdoors, especially in the winter, can make a difference.
Housebound? Try Nike Training Club for free online classes (stretches, strength, family-friendly and more) .
Eat more fruit and veggies—the easiest, most impactful way to improve your diet. Stock up on frozen produce so you’re prepared—even during a lock-down.
Drink more water. Exhausted? You may be dehydrated. Fill a water bottle and stick it by the kitchen sink or on your desk. Write “drink water” reminders on post-it-notes.
Call your doctor
With increased stress and sedentary home time, your blood pressure or cholesterol may be creeping up. Keep up with health screenings to catch any health issues early. Many family health teams also provide online support from dieticians or mental health counsellors. Just ask.
KEEP CALM
Try mindfulness
Current CAMH research shows that practicing mindfulness can reduce stress and increase well-being in caregivers. Mindfulness means focusing on the present instead of thinking about the past or worrying about the future.
Schedule in quick Soothers and Energizers throughout each day
Soothers: Help reduce the intensity of stress and worry. Sip tea, cuddle your pet, knit, read, meditate, pray, water plants, listen to music.
Energizers: Help you feel accomplished and lift your mood. Try a new recipe, clean out a drawer, walk, exercise, dance, sing, help a friend or neighbour.
Notice what brings you happiness or meaning
Try Positive Journalling. Each day, jot down three things that were joyful and meaningful to you. It could be admiring a sunset, reading a moving book, or singing a song with your loved one. See Write Yourself Happy by Megan C Hayes.
KEEP CONNECTED
Countless studies show that strong social relationships are crucial for mental health, physical health and longevity.
Identify your Joy Circle. Who do you feel good around? Connect with someone outside your household once a day in a Covid-19 friendly way. Sometimes a phone call is best — with no online distractions.
Help someone: Giving feels good. See who might be especially isolated right now. Call them or help your loved one contact them. Drop off a pot of soup or some groceries.
Invite others to help you:
Have a conversation with family and friends about what might be helpful. For example, your loved one may enjoy a weekly “virtual tea date” with them. That frees up some time for you.
See Connecting Virtually with other Families for meet ups and support.
GET PROFESSIONAL MENTAL HEALTH
Despite your best self-care strategies, you may be struggling. You’re not alone. Recent CAMH researchshows anxiety is common as the pandemic continues.
What to do? Look for signs like disrupted sleep, changes in appetite, persistent sadness and feelings of worthlessness. If these symptoms are making it hard for you to get through your day, contact your doctor.
Each day, schedule in quick ways to keep yourself STRONG, CALM and CONNECTED. Both you and your loved one will benefit.
If you have other ideas on staying connected during Covid please let us know at info@p4p.ca
Ontario Declares Second Provincial Emergency to Address COVID-19 Crisis and Save Lives
TORONTO — In response to a doubling in COVID-19 cases over the past two weeks, the real and looming threat of the collapse of the province's hospital system and alarming risks posed to long-term care homes as a result of high COVID-19 transmission rates, the Ontario government, in consultation with the Chief Medical Officer of Health and other health experts, is immediately declaring a second provincial emergency under s 7.0.1 (1) of the Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act (EMPCA).
Toronto Public Health COVID-19 Educational Materials
COVID-19: Lockdown Guide for Toronto Residents
- The Lockdown Guide provides dos and don'ts for residents during lockdown. It is available in English (HTML only) and as a PDF in 16 other languages (PDF links are listed at the bottom of the page).
COVID-19: Printable Posters & Graphics
All of the items below are available for download in English and in other languages at toronto.ca/covid19posters. Links to translations are listed beside the English poster. This page allows you to search by topic or language to find the posters you'd like to download:
"Clean Your Hands" to help prevent the spread of germs poster, in English and in 28 other languages.
