What to expect when you visit
Updated July 17, 2023
NYSC has moved to a mask-friendly environment and welcomes all those who choose to continue to wear a mask when participating in NYSC programs or services. Masking is now optional for all staff, members, clients, volunteers and visitors at all our sites including the Adult Day Program, home care and transportation services.
Anyone who may not be feeling well and is experiencing symptoms (such as a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, cold or runny nose that is out of the ordinary and may not be due to allergies) is asked to refrain from visiting NYSC and remain at home until better.
NYSC continues with heightened monitoring and remains vigilant with other infection control measures such as regular hand hygiene, disinfecting of surfaces, air filtration such as the use of hepa filters or opening windows in enclosed areas, symptom surveillance and passive screening. We ask for everyone to remain kind and respectful of one another’s personal preferences and comfort levels.
NYSC, together with the guidance of Public Health and our IPAC Consultants, will continue to monitor infections in the community. If infections increase, infection control measures will change accordingly.
Mandatory masking may be reimplemented if Public Health Advice changes. Thank you for your continued support and consideration.
For those individuals who cannot attend or choose not to attend the centre at this time, we are still providing many Phone and Zoom programs. Please inquire with the Program Office: 416-733-4111.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
COVID-19 Resources
The City of Toronto has released a COVID-19 webpage for seniors to promote improved access to information for seniors and caregivers to offer a better understanding of available resources focused on their needs during the pandemic
The initiative referenced on the webpage includes seniors-serving agencies and other organizations, housing providers, and other orders of government.
COVID-19 Vaccination
I’m an older adult, should I get a COVID-19 vaccine?
Understand the facts about COVID-19 Vaccinations
Help to Preregister:
The senior’s Hotline is here to assist seniors to get vaccinated in North York. Local seniors are now being pre-registered at North York General Hospital.
If you need help with registration or getting vaccinated, call the Seniors Hotline:
416 447.5200
HEALTH
If seniors have questions about COVID-19 or are feeling sick:
- Access the most up-to-date information from the City of Toronto’s COVID-19 webpage, including what to do if they have been in contact with someone with COVID-19 or if they have symptoms.
- If they have difficulty breathing or other severe symptoms, they should CALL 911.
- If seniors are unsure if they should get tested, they should:
call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000,
call their health care provider, or
call an assessment centre, to see if they need testing - For help to understand how to self-isolate, or to care for someone with COVID-19:The Government of Ontario has released guidance on what self-isolation involves. Visit How to Care for Someone with COVID-19 if you live with or care for a senior with COVID-19.
FOOD AND ESSENTIALS
- For low-income seniors, there are organizations and volunteer groups that will deliver
groceries to seniors at home with no delivery fee. Call 211 or the Toronto Seniors Helpline (416-217-2077) for a referral to a free grocery delivery service. - For seniors residing in Toronto, who are in self-isolation, do not have alternative access to food, and are not currently receiving such assistance from another program, the City and the Red Cross have partnered to provide food hamper delivery free to qualifying seniors.
- Call 1-833-204-9952 for eligibility and registration information or visit www.OntarioCommunitySupport.ca.
If seniors need help accessing prescriptions:
- Many pharmacies/drug stores offer free home delivery of prescriptions, and in some cases, over-the-counter medicine and supplies. There is also an online pharmacy www.Well.ca.
- To arrange prescription delivery, seniors should call their local pharmacy. They can refer to the label on their current medication for their pharmacy’s phone number. A list of pharmacies can be found at torontocentralhealthline.ca.
Seniors can also call 211 or the Toronto Seniors Helpline (416-217-2077) to be connected to a community agency offering prescription and medication delivery to seniors during COVID-19.
For seniors who are pet owners:
- Visit the City’s Pet Owners page for information and advice, and help with supplies.
- Funded by PetSmart Charities of Canada, Toronto Animal Services will be providing
assistance to pet owners from low-income households (for purchase of pet food and supplies).
MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
- The City has launched a mental health support strategy, which offers free mental health support by telephone. Seniors or caregivers can call 211 for a warm referral to a mental health service provider. Culturally relevant supports are available to Indigenous and Black Seniors.
- In case of a mental health crisis, seniors can call the Toronto Seniors’ Helpline (416-217-2077), Distress Centres of Toronto (416-408-4357), or Gerstein Crisis Centre (416-929-5200).
If seniors have a question about City services (e.g. libraries, waste, Wheel-Trans, etc.):
- Use information on the Affected City Services page or call 311 (available in 180 languages).
Provincial and Federal Government supports:
- The Ontario government has announced initiatives that may support seniors, including:
temporarily increasing GAINS (Guaranteed Annual Income Support) for low-income seniors, suspending all eviction-related activity, holding hydro prices to off-peak prices, support for expanded Meals on Wheels, and more. For information, visit the Ontario COVID-19 website.
The Government of Canada has also announced a one-time automatic payment of $300 to all seniors receiving Old Age Security (OAS) and an additional $200 for seniors receiving
Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS), among other initiatives. Visit Support for Individuals.
HOUSING AND BENEFITS
If seniors have questions related to housing, evictions, paying rent, and more:
- Visit the City’s Tenants and Property Owners page to learn more about paying rent (and financial support for renters), property and utility bill relief, the suspension of all eviction related activity by the Ontario Government, tenants’ rights and responsibilities, and more.
- The Toronto Rent Bank can provide interest-free loans to low-income Toronto residents who are behind in their rent or need to move to more suitable housing.
COVID-19 Fourth Dose Locations
Metro Toronto Convention Centre
Hours: Sunday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday to Thursday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. (for appointments and walk-in). Appointment availability is in the Provincial booking system , including for any adjusted days/hours that may apply.
Address: 222 Bremner Blvd. , South Building, Room 501
Enter the South Building from the main entrance at 222 Bremner Blvd. Once you enter the building, keep to the right and follow the signage to reach room 501. (View map of clinic location within Metro Toronto Convention Centre)
Accessibility: This clinic location is accessible. Please bring all required mobility devices with you.
A health card is not needed; a person need only attend the clinic with some form of identification.
Parking: 1-hour free parking in North Garage
Mitchell Field Community Centre
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. (for appointments and walk-in). Appointment availability is in the Provincial booking system , including for any adjusted days/hours that may apply.
Address: 89 Church Ave. The clinic is located on the east side of the building in the gym. Please enter through the Community Centre main entrance.
Accessibility: This clinic location is accessible. Please bring all required mobility devices with you.
A health card is not needed; a person need only attend the clinic with some form of identification.
Parking: Parking is located on the east side of the Community Centre. Parking is limited so please park for only as long as it takes to complete the vaccination process
Pharmacy at Carlo’s No Frills at Centrepoint Mall
Pflizer and Moderna available
Book appointments by EMAIL at: covid19@nofrills.ca
Information needed – you want Pflizer or Moderna for their 4th shot, personal information, e-mail address, date of your 3rd shot, choose time and date availability. Once you submit your request, you will get a confirmation e-mail.
OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES
In the case of scams and fraud, and elder abuse:
- In case of elder abuse, call the Seniors Safety Line – Elder Abuse Ontario 1-866-299-1011.
- It is important to be aware of a number of emerging scams related to COVID-19.
One scam involves calling seniors, offering to buy their groceries, and asking for credit
card details. Calling 211 to request a referral to a legitimate initiative can help avoid this. - To report fraud, call the Toronto Police Service non-emergency number at 416-808-2222, or anonymously contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477(TIPS) or crimestoppers.com
(Please refer to City of Toronto website for the most up-to-date information.)