What to expect when you visit

Updated January 13, 2025

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.

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

Ontario Ministry of Health

Public Health Ontario

Health Canada

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 1-866-797-0007,
    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 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.

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.
  • 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.
facts-covid-19-vaccines-eng

Where to get your vaccine

Shoppers Drug Mart
5576 Yonge St, North York, ON M2N 5S2

Dynasty Medical Clinic
5460 Yonge St unit 106 B, North York, ON M2N 6K7

North York Pharmacy

5631 Yonge Street North York, ON M2M 3S9

OTHER HELPFUL RESOURCES

In the case of scams and fraud, and elder abuse:

SeniorsHelpLine

(Please refer to City of Toronto website for the most up-to-date information.)

COVID-19 Vaccines – What Older Canadians Need to Know