Oct 20th, 2023

NEWS RELEASE – Aging in Place Expansion to Provide Support and Health Services to more than 1,000 OCH Senior Residents

Oct. 20, 2023 – Ottawa, ON – A more than $1 million funding commitment from the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care will provide place-based support services for more than 1,000 additional OCH senior residents. 

As the population ages and health services become more strained, support that allows seniors to remain in their homes as they age will be increasingly crucial. The Aging in Place program was established in 2007. It is a partnership between Ottawa West Community Support, Ottawa Community Housing, Home and Community Care Support Services and Ottawa Public Health. Before the current expansion, Aging in Place offered onsite support in 11 communities. Aging in Place staff help clients lead healthier lives. The clients served by this program are at risk and face barriers accessing health care. The support helps reduce emergency room visits and delays the transition to long-term care. The funding will make onsite support available in eight additional communities. 

Services at Aging in Place offices include: 

• Service referral and coordination as well as assistance filling out forms.    
• Short-term homemaking service and emergency meals and medical transportation    

• Health education, events, and classes    
• Van outings can include a trip to the grocery store or social outings such as a visit to the sugar bush or seeing Christmas lights.  

Through our everyday work and that of our many social service partners, OCH is committed to improving the supports and partnerships to drive increased successful tenancies. Aging In Place is a core example of a successful collaboration that enhances the quality of life for tenants. 

For media inquiries, please contact: 

Jennifer McIntosh 
Communications Specialist 
jennifer.mcintosh@och.ca  
613-914-9953 

Quotes

Ottawa West Community Support is delighted to have received funding from Ontario Health East to expand its Aging in Place program to an additional eight senior’s buildings. This funding commitment will provide support for residents as they age – allowing them to stay in their homes longer. The funds will support additional homemaking services, foot care clinics, provide emergency meals and onsite social service support for seniors in our Ottawa Community Housing communities.

Jennifer Lalonde, Executive Director, Ottawa West Community Support 

This initiative is one of the many examples of how partnerships help to address gaps in support for tenants with higher needs. One of the core priorities – developed as part of OCH’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan identifies the need to grow and support innovative partnerships such as the one with Aging in Place. This expansion is a welcome addition to 8 new communities, serving 7,000 senior residents. We are proud of this relationship – 15 years in the making.

Stéphane Giguère, Chief Executive Officer, CEO 

We are excited to celebrate this increased funding from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, as it expands the services of Aging in Place to 8 more OCH communities! This is what we can do when we work together and are provided with more resources from our government partners.

Theresa Kavanagh, Bay Ward Councillor and OCH Board Chair 

About

Ottawa West Community Support 

Ottawa West Community Support (OWCS) is a non-profit organization committed to assisting seniors and adults with physical disabilities needing long-term care to live independently at home through creative community-based home support services.   

Ottawa Community Housing  

Ottawa Community Housing Corporation provides approximately 15,000 homes to about 32,000 tenants, including seniors, parents, children, couples, singles and persons with special needs, within many communities across the City of Ottawa. OCH houses a diverse population of varying languages, ethnicities and cultures. OCH is the largest social, community and affordable housing provider in Ottawa and an industry-leading builder of affordable housing. 

Quick facts 

After opening the new onsite offices, Aging in Place will operate in 19 communities – benefiting thousands of tenants. 

In 2020, OCH and OWCS signed an official partnership, ensuring the program’s continued success. The agreement solidified a partnership that began in 2007 with five OCH senior buildings.    

The new onsite offices being opened will operate at: 

• 721 Chapel
• 205 Gladstone
• 300 Lacasse
• 1650 Walkley
• 1909 Russell
• 280 Montfort
• 181 Bruyère
• 263 Viewmount

7059 seniors live in OCH communities.

Nearly 50 percent of OCH seniors (3,418) live alone.

Additional Resources 

• Learn more about the Aging in Place program (https://owcs.ca/aging-in-place)  
• Learn more about Ottawa Community Housing (www.och-lco.ca)