Caregiver Support
Caregiver support provides resources, assistance, and guidance to those caring for individuals with health needs, helping them manage responsibilities and maintain their well-being.
Home Care
Home care services deliver medical and support services to individuals at their residences, promoting independence and addressing healthcare needs outside of hospitals or clinics.
Mental Health & Addiction Care
Mental health & addiction encompasses emotional, psychological, and social well-being, influencing how individuals think, feel, and behave, as well as their ability to cope with stress and make decisions.
Palliative Care
Palliative support provides specialized care focused on relieving symptoms, pain, and stress for individuals with life-threatening illnesses, aiming to improve quality of life for both patients and their families.
Primary Care
Primary care is the initial point of contact for individuals seeking routine medical care, focusing on preventive services, health promotion, and the management of common health conditions.
Preventative Screening
Preventative screening helps detect health issues early, improving outcomes and preventing serious conditions. Ask your provider which screenings are right for you.
Seniors Support
Seniors support provides services and resources to help older adults maintain independence, well-being, and quality of life as they age.
Urgent Care
Urgent care provides immediate medical attention for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries that require prompt treatment but do not necessitate an emergency room visit.
Virtual Care
The North East Virtual Care Clinic is a Nurse Practitioner-led virtual care clinic that works with local health care providers to ensure patients can access more timely care.
Caregiver Support
Caregiver support provides resources, assistance, and guidance to those caring for individuals with health needs, helping them manage responsibilities and maintain their well-being. Caregivers are people who provide physical and emotional support to a family member, partner, friend, or neighbour.
In Ontario, more than 4 million people are caregivers. While many find this role rewarding, the demands of caregiving can also take a toll on their physical and mental well-being. Many supports are available for caregivers, see a few below.
Education Resources
McMaster University – Caregiver Essentials
A free, self-paced, online course to enhance your knowledge and confidence in your caregiver role.
Self Management Ontario – Support for Caregivers
A free six-week workshop to provide caregivers with self-care tools.
Geriatrics Ontario – Caregiving Strategies
A collection of educational resources for those who provide care and support for seniors.
The Waiting Room Revolution
Unlocking the keys to a better illness experience.
Provincial & Federal Organizations
Ontario Caregiver Organization
Supports caregivers by being one point of access to information, so they can be successful in their role. Contact the Ontario Caregiver Organization helpline for 24/7 support at 1-833-416-2273.
Canadian Centre for Caregiving Excellence
A privately funded national organization that supports and empowers caregivers and care providers.
Carers Canada
A national coalition dedicated to increasing recognition and support for caregivers through working to build awareness and recognition of the role of caregivers and the challenges they face.
Young Caregivers Association
Empowering young caregivers to achieve their full potential.
Cochrane District Resources & Services
Caregiver Support Groups – Alzheimer Society
Support groups for caregivers available in Hearst, Kapuskasing, Smooth Rock Falls, Iroquois Falls, Matheson, Cochrane, Timmins.
Virtual Peer Support Programs – Ontario Caregiver Organization
Virtual Peer support groups for caregivers of Ontario in 1:1 Peer Support format or Online Support Group format.
Métis Nations of Ontario Caregiver Support Services
Program that provides advocacy services and information to assist caregivers in their role in the Timmins area.
Financial, Employment, Tax Resources for Caregivers
Government of Ontario Tax Credits and Employment Benefits
Information regarding tax credits and employment benefits that caregivers are entitled to in the Province of Ontario.
Government of Canada Caregiver Benefits and Leave
Information regarding Employment Insurance benefits that caregivers may be eligible for.
McMaster University Caregiver Friendly Workplace Resources
Compilation of resources from various organizations focused on creating caregiver friendly policies and workplaces.
Carers Canada: Balancing Work & Care
Research and Resources advocating for inclusive workplaces for working caregivers.
Home Care
Home care services deliver medical and support services to individuals at their residences, promoting independence and addressing healthcare needs outside of hospitals or clinics. Home care support is essential for patients needing assistance at home.
Ontario Health atHome
Ontario Health atHome is a single organization that supports stability of home care services now, and as care is delivered through Ontario Health Teams in the future. Ontario Health atHome provides home care and facilitates access to community support services to support health and well-being. Ontario Health atHome also provides long-term care home placement services and can provide information about, and referrals to, other providers of health and social services.
How to Access Home & Community Care Services
If you reach out to Ontario Health atHome to request home care services, they are responsible for assessing your care needs, determining your eligibility for the home care services they provide, and developing a care plan for you if you are eligible for their services.
If you are not eligible for home care services, Ontario Health atHome may provide you with information about or referrals to other resources that may better suit your needs.
To Contact Ontario Health atHome
- Use the Ontario Health atHome map to find care in your area
- Call 310-2222 (no area code required)
Provincial & Federal Organizations
Canadian Home Care Association
Facilitates knowledge sharing, creates connections, informs policy and practices, and advocates for integrated home and community care for all.
Cochrane District Resources & Services
Community Support Services – Connect North East Health Line
Find services available in the Ontario Health atHome – North East area.
Mental Health & Addiction Care
Mental Health and Addiction Care encompasses a range of services dedicated to treating and supporting individuals with their mental health and addiction health. Mental and addiction health encompasses emotional, psychological, physical and social well-being, influencing how individuals think, feel, and behave, as well as their ability to cope with stress and make decisions. There are a variety of prevention and treatment programs available to support those struggling with their mental and addiction health.
Immediate Supports
9-8-8 Suicide Crisis Helpline
Call or text 9-8-8 for a safe space to talk confidentially with a trained responder that can offer support, understanding and resources without judgment (available 24/7).
Hope for Wellness Helpline
Call 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or connect to the online Hope for Wellness chat. Available 24/7 to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples seeking emotional support, crisis intervention, or referrals to community-based services.
Provincial & Federal Organizations
Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
Mental health resources, programs, information and local branch information.
Centre for Addiction & Mental Health (CAMH)
Free online courses, mental health 101 tutorials, programs and supports
Kids Help Phone
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7 e-mental health service offering free, multilingual and confidential support to help all young people Feel Out Loud. Call 1-800-668-6868 (toll-free) or text CONNECT to 686868.
Government of Ontario: Find Mental Health Support
A database of provincial mental health supports.
Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program
Adults with depression and anxiety-related conditions can get free cognitive-behavioural therapy and related services through the Ontario Structured Psychotherapy Program. Services may be self-led or therapist-led, depending on the individual’s needs.
ConnexOntario
A database makes it easy to search for treatment services for mental health, gambling and addictions in Ontario.
Cochrane District Resources & Services
Community Mental Health Programs in the Cochrane District
North East Line
Crisis Intervention Walk-in Programs in the Cochrane District
North East Line
Crisis Lines in the Cochrane District
North East Line
All Mental Health Services in the Cochrane District
North East Line
Palliative Care
Palliative care refers to care for patients and their families who are facing a serious, life-limiting illness. Palliative care is patient-centred coordinated care that aims to relieve suffering and improve quality of life for patients and their families at all stages of the illness. Palliative care focuses on a holistic approach to treat the impact that an illness has on patients and their families and is often provided in addition to clinical care that focuses on treating the illness itself.
Types of Palliative Care Services
- Physician and nursing services to assess and manage the progression of the illness (this includes providing pain and symptom management to improve comfort and quality of life).
- Personal support services (such as homemaking).
- Psychological, social services, spiritual and bereavement support.
- Other services such as physiotherapy, caregiver support, pharmacy.
How to Access Palliative Care Services
Palliative care can be provided or accessed through:
- Your primary health care provider (such as a family doctor).
- Ontario Health atHome which can provide care coordination for care in your home, refer you to residential hospice or provide other support services.
- Your local hospital.
- Your long-term care home.
Note: Many types of palliative care services are provided directly by primary health care providers who are already treating individuals for disease. For individuals requiring more specialized services, primary health care providers can provide appropriate referrals.
Provincial & Federal Organizations
Ontario Health atHome
Use the Ontario Health atHome map to find care in your area or Call 310-2222 (no area code required).
Ontario Caregiver Organization: Managing Palliative Care
Supports caregivers, including those supporting patients receiving palliative care with a suite of programs and resources including the 24/7 Ontario Caregiver Helpline 1-833-416-CARE (2273), counselling and peer support groups, webinars, tip sheets and checklists.
A Caregiver’s Guide: A Handbook About End-of-Life Care
A thorough guide on palliative care published by the Canadian Hospice and Palliative Care Association (CHPCA).
CHCA Project ECHO Home-Based Palliative Care
Programs and learning to support Palliative Care.
Canadian Virtual Hospice
Find support and personalized information about palliative and end-of-life care.
Cochrane District Resources & Services
Palliative & End-of-Life Care in the Cochrane District
North East Line
Primary Care
Primary care is the initial point of contact for individuals seeking routine medical care, focusing on preventive services, health promotion, and the management of common health conditions.
How to Access Primary Care
Government of Ontario: Find a Doctor or Nurse Practitioner
Preventative Screening
Preventative screening in Ontario includes a variety of health exams, tests, and programs to help you stay healthy, detect health problems early, determine the most effective treatments, and prevent certain diseases.
Preventative Health Exams (PHE)
A complete exam that includes routine screening tests, a health risk assessment, and an update of immunizations. You should see your primary care provider for a PHE every 3–5 years, but more frequent visits may be needed.
Cancer Prevention
Cancer screening is testing done on people who may be at risk of getting cancer, but who have no symptoms and generally feel fine. Cancer screening tests are not meant to diagnose cancer — instead, they help determine which people are more likely to have cancer or develop cancer in the future. In Ontario, there are 4 free cancer screening programs:
- Breast Cancer
- Cervical Screening
- Colorectal Cancer
- Lung Cancer
Dementia Screening
Screening includes office-based assessments of cognitive function, as well as laboratory testing and neuroimaging. All patients suspected of having dementia should have a physical examination, including a screening neurological examination and review of medications, as a part of the evaluation.
Seniors Support
Senior support encompasses a wide range of services and resources specifically tailored to assist older adults in maintaining their independence, enhancing their well-being, and improving their overall quality of life as they age. These services may include assistance with daily living activities, healthcare management, social engagement programs, and access to vital community resources.
To explore the variety of resources and support available for seniors in your area, please refer to the links below. Whether you are seeking information on local services, community activities, or health-related resources, we are here to help you find the assistance you need.
Provincial & Federal Organizations
Government of Ontario Guide to Programs and Services for Seniors
Find information on resources available for seniors in Ontario, including supports, tax credits, health, caregiving, housing, transportation and staying safe.
Ontario’s Society of Senior Citizens
A provincial organization supporting seniors, keeping them educated and informed through education, research and public policy.
Active Aging Canada
A national not-for-profit organization committed to promoting healthy aging among older Canadian adults from coast to coast to coast.
Canadian Coalition for Senior’s Mental Health
Canadian not-for-profit organization focused solely on supporting older adults’ mental health through information, resources, professional development and clinical guidelines.
Cochrane District Resources & Services
Canadian Red Cross Final Local Senior Support Services
A wide range of support services are offered by the Red Cross throughout Canada to provide daily to help seniors stay in their homes longer by increasing independence and promoting health and safety.
Senior Supports and Programs in the Cochrane District
(North East Line)
Urgent Care
Urgent care centers play a crucial role in the healthcare system by providing immediate medical attention for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries. These facilities are designed to address a wide range of medical issues that require prompt treatment but do not require an emergency room visit.
Patients can seek care for various conditions, including minor fractures, sprains, cuts, infections, and other acute health concerns. One of the key advantages of urgent care is its accessibility. Many centers offer extended hours, including evenings and weekends, making it convenient for individuals and families to receive care outside of traditional office hours. This flexibility helps alleviate the burden on emergency rooms, ensuring that those with true emergencies receive the attention they need without unnecessary delays.
Provincial & Federal Organizations
Government of Ontario: Urgent Care Centres
Information on how to get treatment for urgent, but non-life threatening illnesses or injuries (e.g., infections, earaches, broken bones, cuts, fevers).
Cochrane District Resources & Services
211 Ontario Walk-in Medical Clinics
A database searchable by your location.
Note: Not all towns and cities within the Cochrane District have Urgent Care Centers. Often, urgent care support is offered through various programs such as after-hours clinics or walk-in medical clinics. Should there be no urgent care providers or programs, please visit your nearest hospital or emergency services.
Virtual Care
Speak to a Nurse Practitioner
The North East Virtual Care Clinic is a Nurse Practitioner-led virtual care clinic that works with local health care providers to ensure patients can access more timely care.
We serve patients within Ontario Health North East region who are experiencing an urgent medical condition.
Who we Serve
The Ontario Health North East region spans from White River to the Quebec border and Peawanuck to Parry Sound. We serve patients throughout the region, who require timely medical care. Examples of those we care for include:
- Patients with new or persistent cough, fever, rash or other similar symptoms.
- Patients with imminent concerns but are not life or limb threatening.
- Patients with or without a primary care provider.
We work with hospitals to refer patients to their local Emergency Department if needed, and provide information on Health811 for patients seeking a primary care provider.
Service Directory
Please note that this built-in directory is currently under construction, and not all resources in the area are listed yet. If you’d like to add your organization or programs to the directory, we invite you to contact us. Thank you for helping us build a comprehensive resource for the community.
