Seniors
Help someone now
Adult Protection Services can help if you are worried that an adult is being neglected, abused or harmed.
Adult Protection Services
8:30am - 4:30pm Monday - Friday
Staying in your home
The Veterans Independence Program offers supports to keep Veterans in their home longer.
You can apply for the Veterans Independence Program if you need home care services and you:
have qualified for a disability benefit, or
have qualified for the War Veterans Allowance, or
receive Prisoner of War Compensation, or
are eligible for, but can’t access, a Contract Bed (also known as a Priority Access Bed) in a long term care facility.
Help with your application:
The Red Cross Health Equipment Loan Program offers free loans of health and mobility aids for up to 3 months.
Examples:
Crutches
Canes
Walkers (2 wheel and 4 wheel)
Wheelchairs
Commodes
Raised toilet seats
Bathtub aids
Customized mobility aids (Specialized Equipment Program)
The Red Cross Bed Loan Program provides hospital beds for home use with delivery, pick up and installation provided.
The Nova Scotia Health Authority offers equipment loans or subsidies for:
The Nova Scotia Health Authority's Continuing Care (Home First) offers programs to help keep you in your home longer.
Home First can help:
• Home support services that provide personal care, respite for a family or friend caregiver, meal preparation, and essential housekeeping.
• Nursing services: Based on your physician’s orders, a nurse can provide services such as catheter care, intravenous therapy, palliative care, dressing changes, and overall health monitoring.
They also offer other services to help support you and your family such as the Caregiver Benefit program, Home Oxygen program, and others.
Monday - Friday: 8:30am - 4:30pm
Seniors and safety
The RCMP's Senior Safety Program provides free safety and security information to seniors through individual home visits, telephone calls, and community presentations.
Follow Antigonish Crime Prevention on Facebook for program updates.
The Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP) advocates for the wellbeing of seniors. They produce Zoomer magazine with social, political and lifestyle articles relevant to adults 45+.
Follow them on Facebook for safety tips, grant opportunities, programs and more.
Lonliness and isolation
Reach out and talk to a friendly volunteer. The Warm Line is open to all Nova Scotians. The service is provided by the Shelburne County Mental Health and Wellness Association.
The Warm Line
Monday: 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Tuesdays: 1:00pm - 8:00pm
Wednesday: 4:00pm - 8:00pm
Thursday: 1:00pm - 5:00pm
Property Tax rebates
You may qualify for property tax rebates from the Town or County - depending where you live. You can also apply for rebates through the Province.
Town of Antigonish Tax Rebate information:
💻 www.townofantigonish.ca/finances-and-tax-rates.html
📞 902-863-2351
County of Antigonish Tax Rebate information:
💻 www.antigonishcounty.ns.ca/tax-rebates/
📞 902-863-1117
Province of Nova Scotia Tax Rebate information:
💻 https://beta.novascotia.ca/apply-property-tax-rebate-property-tax-rebate-seniors
📞 1-800-670-4357
Home repairs and/or adaptation
Housing Nova Scotia offers programs to help seniors (65+) stay in their homes longer and/or live independently longer. Each program requires proof of financial need. If you are married, only one of you needs to be 65 or older to apply.
Safety and accessibility equipment: You can receive up to $3,500 which does not need to be repaid as long as the homeowner agrees to live in their home for a minimum of six months after the adaptations are made.
Examples:
Handrails in hallways and stairways
Easy-to-reach work and storage areas in the kitchen
Lever handles on doors
Walk-in showers and grab bars
Bathtub grab bars and seats
Any adaptions that are made should be permanent. Exceptions can be made for equipment like bath lifts that help to make accessing basic facilities easier. Other aids like walkers and household appliances are not covered by this funding.
Home repairs: You can receive up to $6,500 to make repairs that are health and safety concerns. You must have owned your home for at least one year.
Examples:
Roof repairs
Plumbing repairs
Heating repairs
Housing Nova Scotia
Eastern Region Switchboard (New Glasgow)
Low income Seniors Housing
Housing Nova Scotia manages low income rental units for seniors (58+).
Rental units contain a stove and refrigerator, and include heat and hot water. Some units are accessible for people with physical disabilities.
If you are married, only one of you needs to be 58 or older to apply.
Eastern Mainland Housing Authority
20 Orchard Terrace (Antigonish office)
More help and support
Search for information about government programs.
By Topic (ex. Housing)
By Department or Service Provider (ex. Community Services)
By Program or Service Provided (ex. accessible transportation)
Search for contact information of program and service providers across the province.
Fill out a simple, confidential survey to see what government benefits you are eligible for.
The regional library’s website has a directory of services and collections of brochures on subjects including:
The Health & Wellness section, in particular, has multiple links to information on subjects as wide-ranging as Affordable Housing to Grief to Diabetes.