Aphasia Centre of Ottawa
Record #: OCR0081 | Last Full Update: 04 Feb 2020 |
Names | |
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Alternate Name | OCR |
Location & Accessibility | |
Located In Community | Ottawa |
Address & Map | |
Intersection | Merivale Rd and Amberwood Cres |
Bus Route Notes | OC Transpo OC Travel Planner or Route Timetable |
Physical Access | Fully Accessible |
Parking | Free parking |
Description and Services | |
Description (Service) | Community-based agency dedicated to the long-term support of people affected by aphasia, a language disorder that can occur in persons who have had a stroke and often after other injury to the brain * Speech-language pathologists, social workers and communicative disorders assistants in partnership with other community-based professional colleagues and trained volunteers, provide programs to help people adjust to living with aphasia and to again be active participants in the community * Services are also available for people with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) Services: * Enhanced Professional Intervention and Co-Therapy Groups: For people who are re-entering the community following rehab/day hospital treatment * Participants meet once weekly over a 4-week period for two hours, in smaller groups of 3 to 4 people with professional facilitators * Communication and Counselling Groups: Speech-language staff supported by trained volunteers, facilitate conversations in small groups of people who have aphasia * The primary focus of these groups is communication - the sharing and exchange of ideas by whatever means e.g. speech, gesture, drawing, facial expression and body language * Individual/Family and Group Speech-Language Therapy and Counselling: Support for everyday situations is the focus of therapy provided by speech language and social work staff * Individual therapy is often directed at enabling the person with aphasia with specific communicative goals or to carry out a personal project e.g. accessing regular community activities * reconnecting with long-standing friends * discussing medical issues with physicians * Activity Groups: Facilitated by communicative disorders assistants with support of trained volunteers * Small groups of two or three persons, where participants carry out a personal project e.g. writing emails to family/friends, learning new technology, creation of Life History/Communication Books to facilitate communication with family, friends and other participants in ACO programs * Counselling and communication support for emotional distress, regaining power of attorney, changing financial plans, accessing M.A.I.D (Medical Assistance in Dying) services * Individual, couple, family, and group counselling/therapy available * Individual, couple, family, and group therapy available * Caregiver Support Groups: Spouses and family members participate in monthly meetings facilitated by a social worker * Physiotherapy Groups: Groups of three to four persons participate in one-hour individualized therapy programs, under the supervision of a physiotherapist and clinical trainer, with support from trained volunteers * Volunteer Training: Volunteers learn effective communication techniques for conversational partnerships with people with aphasia and to provide program support for the specific groups and individuals to whom they are assigned * Workshops and Information Seminars: Customized according to group needs |
Hours | Mon-Fri 9 am-5 pm |
Areas Served | Lanark County - North ; North Grenville ; Ottawa (City of) ; Prescott and Russell United Counties ; Renfrew County ; Stormont, Dundas and Glengarry United Counties |
Eligibility | Ages: 18 year(s) and up Individuals 18 years and older with aphasia as a result of stroke or head injury or other brain damage and the families, friends and caregivers of adults with aphasia and related communication difficulties. |
Application | Referrals to the Centre are made by a speech-language pathologist, a social worker or self referrals * also referrals from families, and from other qualified professionals are accepted, with speech-language pathology assessment to be arranged. A physician's authorization and assessment by physiotherapist are required prior to starting physiotherapy programs |
Languages | English ; French |
Fees | Service - sliding fee scale |
Service Categories | Caregiver Support Groups ~ Communication Impairments ; Disease/Disability Information ~ Communication Impairments ; Health/Disability Related Counselling ~ Communication Impairments ; Health/Disability Related Support Groups ~ Communication Impairments ; Special Libraries ~ Communication Impairments ; Special Libraries ~ Stroke ; Speech and Language Pathology ~ Communication Impairments |
Contact Information | |
Office Phone | 613-567-1119 |
Crisis Phone | 613-889-3851 |
Fax | 613-567-8930 |
gillian@aphasiaottawa.org | |
Website | www.aphasiaottawa.org |
Social Media | ![]() ![]() |
Primary Contact | Stephanie Isaacs, Volunteer Coordinator; Email: stephanie.isaacs.aco@gmail.com |
Volunteer Coordinator | Joanna Dickson, Volunteer Coordinator; Email: aphasiavolunteer@gmail.com |
Primary Executive | Gillian Gailey, Executive Director; Email: gillian@aphasiattawa.org |
Alternate Executive | Kathy Stiell, Director, Family Support & Social Services; Email: kathy@aphasiaottawa.org |
Other Details | |
Established | 1990 |
Funding | Provincial - Local Health Integration Network ; Donations - Charitable Registration Number: 893571869 RR0001 ; Fees ; Private |
Elections | The Board of Directors is elected. |
Print Material | Resource library * pamphlets * books * videos |
Resources | Website |
Accreditation | No * Staff certified by their respective professional associations |