Community programs and services are available to support persons with stroke and their families/caregivers after discharge home from either an acute care or rehabilitation facility. Access to these resources can be initiated by the referring hospital, primary care physician, or persons with stroke and their families/caregivers. As there may be a cost from some services, it is recommended to ask about these additional costs that may not be covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP).
Home and Community Care Support Services assess patient care needs, coordinate and deliver in-home and community-based care to support a person's health and well-being.
They also provide access and referrals to other community services, and manage Ontario’s long-term care home placement process.
They help patients, their families and caregivers when they need services, support and guidance to:
For information and referrals related to home and community care or long-term care home placement, please call (no area code required) 310-2222 for service in English or 310-2272 for service in French . Click here to visit the website.
Click on the red text to learn more about and access the program/service:
Toronto Health and Social Services Directory: is a directory to find health, social and community services in Toronto, including the former municipalities of East York, Etobicoke, North York, Scarborough and York.
Eastern York Region North Durham Ontario Health Team’s Service Directory: is a directory to find health, social and community services in Toronto, including the former municipalities of Eastern York Region and North Durham.
Call 8-1-1: to connect with a registered nurse for free, secure and confidential health advice, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Call 2-1-1: to find social services, financial assistance programs, or community supports, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Toronto Health Line – Stroke Resources: is a directory to find stroke services in Toronto by postal code or community name.
Peer support groups provide the opportunity to share ideas, information, and coping methods with others dealing with the experience of stroke. Both stroke survivors and their care partners can benefit from these groups.
Click on the red text to access the resource
Click on the red text to learn more about the program:
Chronic Disease Self-Management Program: a virtual 6-week program that helps individuals living with long term health conditions learn skills to manage their health.
Click on the red text to learn more
A Caregiver's Guide to Stroke Recovery: shares stories from caregivers and the impact that a stroke can have on family members.
Caregiver Compass: tips and tools to help you manage your caregiving responsibilities
The Ontario Caregiver Organization: offers programs and services to support Ontario’s 4 million caregivers; by being their one point of access to information.
Powerful Tools for Caregivers: offers classes to help caregivers take better care of themselves while caring for a friend or relative.
Rehabilitation can help someone who has had a stroke get back abilities they lost because their brain was damaged. It can also teach them new ways to do things if they still have some problems.
You can find therapists who provide private therapy through the following Ontario websites. If possible, search for a therapist who specializes in stroke or neurological conditions.
Your healthcare provider may refer you to other services based on your needs. These services may include:
Home and Community Care Support Services
Vision Loss Rehabilitation Canada
Together in Movement and Exercise (T.I.M.E.) Program
Volunteer Research Opportunities: Researchers often look for volunteers to help them with their studies on new forms of therapies, the use of technology in rehabilitation or in new programs for individuals who have had a stroke. Contact the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s research page to learn more. You can also reach out to rehabilitation hospitals to find out if they have volunteer research therapy opportunities.
Click on the red text to learn more about the program/service:
Call 9-1-1: if the risk for self-harm or harm to others is immediate
ConnexOntario: links to addiction and mental health treatment services information. Phone: 1-866-531-2600, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Gerstein Crisis Centre: offers crisis services. Phone: 416-929-5200, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Distress Centre Toronto: If you or someone you know is in crisis or requires emotional support, please call 416 408-4357, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Toronto Seniors Helpline/ Woodgreen Crisis Outreach Services for Seniors: the mobile crisis team is available 365 days a year from 9:00am-5:00pm. Phone: 416-217-2077
Talk 4 Healing: provides support and resources for Indigenous women, by Indigenous women, across Ontario, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone: 1-855-554-HEAL (4325), Text: 1-855-554-HEAL (4325)
Click on the red text to learn more about the program/service:
Indigenous Services Canada: works with partners to improve access to high quality services for First Nations, Inuit and Métis. Visit the website to access resources and services for various topics such as health, support services, education etc.
Health Centres and Programs for Indigenous Peoples - Toronto Central: provides a list of community-led health programs and services for First Nations, Inuit, or Métis communities in Ontario
Click on the red text to learn more about the program/service:
Access Alliance: works to improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable immigrants, refugees, and their communities by facilitating access to five service areas: primary care, illness prevention, health promotion, community capacity building and service integration.
Orientation to Health Care in Ontario for Refugees: a list of frequently asked questions that will help you get to know the healthcare system in Ontario and what information, programs and services are available for refugees.
Immigrant, Newcomer and Refugee Services: a list of non-profit or government programs and services that provide support for immigration, the refugee and citizenship process and other key programs and services.
Connected Canadians: a free service that supports older adults with technology training and support. Volunteers with a high comfort level in technology are paired with senior clients to tackle clients’ various technology questions, frequently learning together in real time.
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The Toronto Stroke Networks (TSNs) website and its content are intended for informational, reference, and resource purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The information contained in this website is by no means a complete listing of the program and services available in the Greater Toronto Area. The TSNs do not endorse or support the information contained within the links provided nor can we assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information. The mention of products and services should not be assumed to be an endorsement of any kind.
