Assistive Devices Program - Help for Seniors

Objectives

The Assistive Devices Program (ADP) is administered by the Operational Support Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.

The objective of ADP is to financially assist Ontario residents with long term physical disabilities to obtain basic, competitively priced, personalized assistive devices appropriate for the individual's needs and essential for independent living.

Devices covered by the program are intended to give people increased independence and control over their lives. They may allow them to avoid costly institutional settings and remain in a community living arrangement.

Equipment Funded by ADP

ADP covers over 8,000 separate pieces of equipment or supplies in the following categories: prostheses; wheelchairs/mobility aids and specialized seating systems; ostomy, and enteral feeding supplies; needles and syringes for insulin-dependent seniors; monitors and test strips for insulin-dependent diabetics (through agreement with the Canadian Diabetes Association); hearing aids; respiratory equipment; orthoses (braces, garments and pumps); visual and communication aids; oxygen and oxygen delivery equipment, such as concentrators, cylinders, liquid systems and related supplies, such as masks and tubing.

Eligibility

Any Ontario resident who has a valid Ontario Health card issued in their name and has a physical disability of six months or longer. Equipment cannot be required exclusively for sports, work or school. ADP does not pay for equipment available under the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board or to Group “A” veterans for their pensioned benefits.. There are specific eligibility criteria which apply to each device category.

Accessing ADP

Initial access is often through a medical specialist or general practitioner who provides a diagnosis. In most device categories, an authorizer assesses the specific needs of the person and prescribes appropriate equipment or supplies. Finally, a vendor sells the equipment or supplies to the client.

In some device categories, such as adult hearing aids or prosthetic devices, the assessor is also the vendor.

Authorizer

Most devices must be authorized by a qualified health care professional registered with the program. Registered authorizers work in hospitals, home care agencies or private practice.

Vendor

The program will only help pay for equipment that is purchased from vendors registered with the Assistive Devices Program.

Financial Assistance

ADP pays up to 75 per cent of the cost of equipment, such as artificial limbs, orthopaedic braces, wheelchairs and breathing aids. For others, such as hearing aids, the ADP contributes a fixed amount. With regard to ostomy supplies, breast prostheses and needles and syringes for seniors, the ADP pays a grant directly to the person. The Home Oxygen Program under ADP, pays 100 per cent of the ADP price for oxygen and related equipment for seniors 65 years of age or older and for individuals 64 years of age or younger who are on social assistance, residing in a long-term care facility or who are receiving professional services through a Community Care and Access Centre, and 75 per cent of the ADP price for all others.

In most cases, the client pays a share of the cost at time of purchase and the vendor bills ADP the balance. For ADP supply categories where grants are paid, the client pays 100 per cent of the cost to the vendor.

There are many sources of funding for the client's share of the cost including :
clients voluntary/charitable organizations e.g. March of Dimes, Easter Seals, Kiwanis social assistance, DVA insurance companies relatives/friends. November 2002ISBN #000-0000

Call the Assistive Devices Program at 1-800-268-6021(Toll-free in Ontario only)In Toronto, call 416-327-8804TTY 1-800-387-5559