COSS (Crisis Outreach for Seniors)

COSS (Crisis Outreach Service for Seniors) is a mobile crisis response team. WoodGreen Community Services is the lead agency, and we partner with LOFT Community Services, Reconnect Community Health Services, South Riverdale Community Health Centre and Haven Toronto to offer crisis response to seniors across the City of Toronto (any postal code starting with M). COSS is publicly funded and free to seniors. Some services referred to as part of the program (such as home cleaning or meals on wheels will have fees attached).

Eligibility

Adults 65+ or age 55 – 64 with geriatric presentation; living in Toronto (postal code starting with M) and in need of crisis support.

Program operation hours

We operate from 9:00am – 5:00pm every day of the year, and teams of 2 crisis workers go out to make initial visits. There are no waitlists for service. The initial visit will usually happen between 24 – 72 hours after making the referrals, based on a standardized assessment.

Program delivery

If we assess the senior is in crisis and if they agree to working with us, then we assign a specific crisis worker/crisis specialist who offers case management, system navigation, referrals to supports, crisis de-escalation and supportive counseling for approximately 6 – 8 weeks. If they need ongoing support, we will refer to other teams for support up to a year.

Often, COSS clients have a combination of physical and mental/cognitive health conditions and usually they don’t have family supports or their caregivers are experiencing burnout.

We offer phone and in-person interpretation services in 100+ languages, including American Sign Language.

COSS (Crisis Outreach for Seniors) team

COSS teams are inter-disciplinary, employing Social Workers, Nurse Practitioners and Behaviour Consultants. We also have access to a Geriatric Psychiatrist. Clients are assessed and supported holistically. If they do not have access to primary care, our team will help them directly or make linkages.