Community Services

If you need help from the community, call… 

Community Support Services [CSS]

The Health & Wellness Co-Ordinator can help Tenants navigate access to the Community Support Services [CSS] that are available. CSS provides effective, quality services to seniors to help them live safely and independently in their own homes. These are some of the most used local services:

Paramedicine Program

North Bay’s Community Paramedicine Program comes to Castle Arms every other Thursday. Working with various community services, they provide free health services for Tenants who’ve registered with the program. They’re here to promote sustainable independence within your home. If you’re unable to make it to the clinic, a home visit can be set up for the same day.

Meals on Wheels

Meals on Wheels volunteers deliver warm, nutritious meals. For more information, call 705-472-8050 for North Bay service or 705-744-5511 ext. 2258 for Mattawa. Meals are ^$5 each and payments are managed by the Cassellholme CSS Finance Department.

CSS – “Let’s Lunch” at Castle Arms

CSS hosts casual, catered luncheons for Tenants of Castle Arms and other local seniors’ buildings every Thursday in the CA2 Common Room. Invitations, with a menu and the cost, are posted in each building on the community bulletin board. It’s a great way to meet neighbours – from all of the Castle Arms buildings and the rest of the North Bay senior’s community.

Dinner Bell

Family-run Dinner Bell Restaurant prepares and delivers meals for seniors on Wednesdays and Fridays. See their menu and prices.

Home Help Programs

Eligible seniors living in North Bay, East Ferris, Mattawa and West Nipissing can get extra help, such as light housekeeping and laundry. The service is offered Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the cost is ^$7/hr. For bigger jobs, particularly if there’s heavy lifting or tasks that involve a ladder, outside help must be hired. There is a waiting list and an assessment of a Tenant’s needs is done in advance. For more information, or to get on the waiting list, call 705-845-2038 or 705-845-2025.

Home and Community Care Support Services – North East

There is a wide range of services available, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and nursing. There is also an Assistive Devices Program to help with funding for mobility devices such as walkers, wheelchairs and scooters. For more information on the services provided, or to determine eligibility, call 705-476-2222. https://www.northeasthealthline.ca/index.aspx

Supportive Housing Program/Assisted Living for High-Risk Seniors

Other services are available to eligible seniors who are referred through Home and Community Care Support Services – North East.

• personal care: bathing, grooming, toileting, transferring, medication reminders
• light housekeeping and laundry
• meal assistance: clients are referred to Meals on Wheels; PSWs can provide a short visit at meal time to assist with a pre-prepared meal
• shopping to the nearest grocery store [walking distance]
• security checks

Caregiver Support/Respite Services

Caregiver Support provides relief to those living with a senior who has Alzheimer’s disease, confusion, forgetfulness, acute or chronic illness, frailness, disabilities, and/or dementia. Services may include:

• ensuring client safety
• companionship and socialization
• meal preparation and feeding, if needed
• personal care
• light housekeeping and laundry
• medication reminders

Tax Season Help

If you need help getting your taxes done, 

L.I.P.I. [Low Income People Involvement] have agreed to help out. To qualify, you have:

• individual income of $40,000/year or less [$55,000/year or less as a couple]
• no income from a business, self employment or real estate
• interest income, for all investments, less than $1,200 for the year
• collected all your forms, totals, receipts: OAS [Old Age Security], CPP [Canada Pension Plan], rent receipts and proof of any other income
• medical expenses totalled as a list [i.e. prescriptions, glasses, dentist, etc.]
• donation receipts collected

If you qualify, take your documents to the office. They’ll collect and check your paperwork before giving it to them.

They also complete basic returns for a small fee. L.I.P.I. are volunteers. As a result, they advise us to expect longer turnaround times to prepare taxes and to receive returns.

Rent receipts are provided in February.

If you’re a Rent Geared-to-Income[RGI] Tenant, provide your Notice of Assessment [NOA] from Canada Revenue Agency [CRA] to Jilly as soon as you receive it. This will help to streamline the rent review process.

Call 705-845-2038 or 705-845-2025 or email for further information.