Referral Resources
Quick access to contact information, referral pathways, and assessment tools to support safe transitions for Canadian seniors.
Emergency Referral Contacts
For urgent discharge planning or immediate support needs:
24/7 Health Line
8-1-1
Available in most provinces
Crisis Support
Call 211
Community and social services
Provincial Home Care Referrals
Ontario
Home and Community Care Support Services
Single point of access for home care services
310-CCAC (2222)
No area code needed
British Columbia
Health Authority Home & Community Care
Regional intake and assessment
8-1-1
HealthLinkBC
Alberta
AHS Home Care Program
Alberta Health Services intake
8-1-1
Health Link Alberta
Quebec
CLSC / CISSS-CIUSSS
Local service network
8-1-1
Info-Santé
Maritime Provinces
Provincial Home Care Programs
NS: 1-800-225-7225 | NB/PEI: 8-1-1
See details
Province-specific
Quick Assessment Tools
Discharge Planning Checklist
Immediate Safety Assessment
- □ Cognitive status and capacity
- □ Mobility and fall risk
- □ Medication management ability
- □ Nutrition and meal preparation
- □ Home safety and accessibility
Support System Review
- □ Family caregiver availability
- □ Financial resources
- □ Transportation access
- □ Community connections
- □ Emergency contacts
Red Flags for Home Discharge
- • Lives alone with cognitive impairment
- • Multiple recent hospital admissions
- • No family/caregiver support
- • Unsafe home environment
- • Complex medication regimen
- • Inability to access food/medications
Green Lights for Home Care
- • Engaged family/caregiver support
- • Stable medical condition
- • Accessible home environment
- • Financial resources available
- • Patient motivated for home care
- • Community services accessible
Senior Living Community Referrals
When to Consider Community Living
Clinical Indicators
- • Progressive cognitive decline
- • Increasing care needs
- • Multiple chronic conditions
- • Medication non-compliance
- • Nutritional deficits
Social Indicators
- • Social isolation
- • Caregiver burnout
- • Home safety concerns
- • Lack of community support
- • Transportation challenges
Major Operators - Direct Referral Contacts
Chartwell: 1-855-461-0685
Intake coordinators available 24/7
Sienna Senior Living: 1-877-SIENNA-1
Regional assessment teams
Provincial Regulatory Bodies
Ontario RHRA: 1-855-ASK-RHRA
Retirement home licensing
BC Assisted Living Registry: Online directory
Licensed community verification
Downloadable Resources
Patient/Family Resources
- • Provincial home care application forms
- • Home safety assessment checklist
- • Caregiver resource guide
- • Financial planning worksheets
- • Community resource directories
Professional Tools
- • Discharge planning templates
- • Assessment forms and scales
- • Referral fax sheets
- • Provider contact databases
- • Quality indicators checklists
Referral Process by Care Level
Home Care Referral Process
- Complete provincial home care application
- Provide medical history and current medications
- Schedule comprehensive assessment
- Develop care plan with coordinator
- Arrange service initiation
Timeline: 3-10 business days in most provinces
Community Living Referral
- Assess care needs and preferences
- Research communities and availability
- Schedule tours and assessments
- Complete application and financial review
- Coordinate move-in timing
Timeline: 2-6 weeks depending on availability
Long-Term Care Placement
- Complete provincial LTC application
- Submit required assessments and documentation
- Wait for placement coordination
- Accept or defer placement offers
- Coordinate admission process
Timeline: Varies significantly by province and urgency
Documentation Requirements
Standard Documentation Package
Medical Information
- • Current medication list
- • Recent physician assessments
- • Functional status evaluation
- • Cognitive assessment results
- • Relevant diagnostic reports
Administrative
- • Health card and identification
- • Insurance information
- • Emergency contacts
- • Power of attorney documents
- • Financial verification (if required)
Professional Support Network
Consultation Services
- • Geriatricians: Complex care planning
- • Geriatric Psychiatrists: Behavioral and cognitive issues
- • Pharmacists: Medication optimization
- • Occupational Therapists: Functional assessments
- • Social Workers: Resource coordination
Professional Organizations
- • Canadian Association of Social Workers
- • Canadian Nurses Association
- • Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists
- • Canadian Geriatrics Society
- • Provincial regulatory colleges
24/7 Professional Support
For urgent consultation or complex discharge planning needs:
Provincial Health Lines: 8-1-1
Nurse consultation available 24/7
Community Services: 2-1-1
Resource navigation and referrals
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