Community Support Organizations Press on to Serve Vulnerable Ontarians During COVID-19
Community Support Organizations Press on to Serve Vulnerable Ontarians During COVID-19
October 1, 2020 - October is Community Support Month and organizations that deliver home and community care are working even harder this year to ensure Ontarians living with disabilities, seniors and other vulnerable people aren’t safe and healthy during COVID-19.
During COVID-19 frontline providers are doing everything they can to provide in-person care when needed and have also adapted to provide virtual care to support seniors and persons with physical disabilities in staying safe and healthy in the own homes and communities. Our sector’s services encompass health promotion, preventative services and re-enablement services, and are more important now in meeting a client’s current needs and keeping them from declining further and needing to enter a hospital or long-term care home.
There are over 25 different services including personal care and home helps, Meals on Wheels, Alzheimer and adult day programs, transportation to medical appointments, caregiver support, and hospice and palliative care services.
We know seniors prefer to live at home. In fact, according to a recent report housing in the community remains a key priority as 92% of all Canadian seniors will continue to live at home and never go into long-term care or congregate care housing. Additional resources are desperately needed now for the home and community support sector in order to keep the most vulnerable among us safe and healthy at home, especially in the unprecedented time.
“Not-for-profit home and community care providers work hard to serve those Ontarians in their communities that need extra support, relieving pressure from the entire health system as a whole,” says Deborah Simon, CEO of Ontario Community Support Association. “Community Support Month highlights the dedicated frontline work these organizations deliver day after day – work that has kept many people safe and healthy during this incredibly challenging time.”
Here are the specific celebration days for the month:
October 5-9 Meals on Wheels Week
October 7 Congregate Dining Day
October 9 Supportive Housing/Assisted Living Day
October 11 Friendly Visiting/Telephone Reassurance Day
October 12 Respite Services Day
October 12-16 Community Care Worker Week
October 14 Client Intervention and Assistance (CIA) Day
October 19-23 Adult Day Program Week
October 23 Home Help/Maintenance Services Day
October 26 Transportation Services Day
October 27 Attendant Services Day
October 28-29 OCSA’s Virtual CommunityConnect Conference
October 30 Hospice and Palliative Care Services Day
Follow the conversation on social media in October at #CSM2020
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About OCSA
Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) represents close to 230 not-for-profit organizations that provide home care and community support services that help seniors and people with disabilities live independently in their own homes and communities for as long as possible. These compassionate and cost-effective services improve quality of life and prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, emergency room visits and premature institutionalization. They are the key to a sustainable health care system for Ontario.
For more information, visit www.ocsa.on.ca and https://twitter.com/OCSAtweets.
To arrange an interview and more information please contact:
Michele Vantrepote
Communications Manager
Ontario Community Support Association
416-256-3010 ext. 242
Michele.Vantrepote@ocsa.on.ca
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Toronto, ON — Today, on Personal Support Worker (PSW) Day , the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) proudly joins communities across the province in recognizing the extraordinary contributions of Personal Support Workers. PSWs are the backbone of Ontario’s home and community care system, providing essential support that enables people to live safely and independently at home. Each year on May 19th, PSW Day is an opportunity to show our deep appreciation for the dedication, compassion, and professionalism of these vital frontline workers. Whether helping seniors with daily tasks, supporting people with disabilities, or providing companionship to those facing isolation, PSWs deliver the care that’s needed—and the care that’s wanted—every single day. As Ontario faces a growing demand for home and community care, the role of PSWs has never been more important. OCSA continues to advocate for investments that will strengthen the PSW workforce, and this is part of the Everyone Needs Home and Community Care advocacy campaign. OCSA encourages all Ontarians to take a moment today to thank a PSW in their life. You can also visit www.everyoneneedscare.ca to learn more about how to support the people who provide essential care in your community. Happy PSW Day—and thank you to all the Personal Support Workers who make a difference every day.
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ONTARIO, March 1, 2025 - This March, the Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) is proud to stand with communities across Ontario in support of March for Meals, an annual campaign highlighting the essential role of Meals on Wheels programs. Delivered in 181 communities across the province, these programs provide nutritious meals, social connection, and safety checks for vulnerable seniors and adults with disabilities. Meals on Wheels Ontario, with the support of belairdirect, encourages Ontarians to show their support for March for Meals and the local Meals on Wheels programs that serve their communities. Together, these programs deliver over 3 million meals annually and provide vital assistance to nearly 70,000 Ontarians. As the demand for nutritious and affordable meals grows, so too do the challenges faced by local programs—including underfunding and volunteer shortages. Now more than ever, community support is essential to ensuring these programs continue to provide a lifeline to those who need it most. “Meals on Wheels programs are a cornerstone of home and community care in Ontario, ensuring that seniors and adults with disabilities have access to healthy meals, social connection, and safety checks,” says Deborah Simon, CEO of OCSA. “However, these programs face growing demand and funding challenges. March for Meals is an opportunity for all Ontarians to rally around these essential services and support their sustainability so that no one is left behind.” During the month of March, community-based Meals on Wheels programs across the province will host special events, engage local officials, and encourage community participation to raise awareness and support for these critical services. OCSA invites Ontarians to learn more about the impact of Meals on Wheels and explore ways to get involved. For more information on March for Meals and how you can support your local Meals on Wheels program, visit Meals on Wheels Ontario . About OCSA The Ontario Community Support Association (OCSA) champions a strong, sustainable home and community care sector in Ontario. The association represents over 220 not-for-profit organizations that deliver high-quality services that help seniors, people with disabilities, and those with complex care needs remain independent in their homes and communities. These proactive and cost-effective services prevent unnecessary hospitalizations, emergency room visits and premature institutionalization. For more information visit www.ocsa.on.ca or @OCSATweets For media inquiries please contact: Karla Sealy (she/her) Manager of Communications 416-256-3010/1-800-267-6272, ext 242 karla.sealy@ocsa.on.ca
