Services

Ostomy Resource Centre

Serving People with Ostomies, Care Givers, and Medical Professionals

The Ostomy Resource Centre provides a comfortable private setting, where members can obtain literature and view videos related to ostomies. Trained ostomy visitors are on hand to discuss varying aspects of ostomy management, as well as personal experience living with an ostomy.

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Discover how the Ostomy Resource Centre can help:

  • Chat with individuals who are thriving after surgery. They will inspire you.

  • Network with others about valuable rehabilitation needs, both pre and post surgery.

  • Access one of the largest assortment of literature and videos on ostomy and related surgeries in Canada!

  • Share personal questions and concerns with a volunteer visitor. Arrange a follow-up appointment with a volunteer visitor at a convenient time and place, if necessary.

Thanks to the dedication of these trained volunteers, who live every day with an ostomy, the Ostomy Resource Centre is continuing to grow in both visitors and volunteers. It is with their vast experience that we can provide to you reliable, timely information to help you deal with all unique situations.

The Ostomy Toronto Visiting Program

For many, the beginning stages of adapting to a new ostomy can be challenging, and Ostomy Toronto is here to support you during your transition. Through organized meetings and peer-to-peer sessions, new ostomates can meet and learn from those who have had an ostomy for years. These connections can help ease many of the emotional and physical changes that accompany this new transition as well as help eliminate the apprehension and possible stigma sometimes associated with ostomies.

This program is offered to support individuals and families who are new to the concept of living life with an ostomy, by providing:

Support
Literature
Practical advice
Answers to non-medical questions
Reassurance that surgeries can have positive outcomes
An opportunity to talk about personal fears and concerns with someone who has “been there, done that”

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“The Toronto ostomy community is made up of a group of people who have successfully transitioned to living with an ostomy. We swim, dance, work, travel and participate in activities just as we did before surgery. We believe that living with an ostomy does not define the individual. I travel internationally as an advocate, educating people about ostomies. When I visit someone soon after their ostomy surgery, I want to help them to realize that this is not an end, but a new beginning.”

Di Bracken

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"Our Visitors are members who have completed a specialized Volunteer Visitor Training Program under the auspices of the national organization, The United Ostomy Association of Canada Inc. Ostomy Toronto helped me to get my life back on track after my ileostomy. I definitely recommend having a trained Visitor meet with the person having the surgery, and their spouse or family members."

Lorne Aronson

 

Wherever possible, Visitors are matched to the needs of the patient and their family based upon:

  • Type of surgery, gender and age.

  • The need for surgery, which may result from:

    • Bowel or bladder cancer

    • Crohn’s disease

    • Ulcerative Colitis

    • Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

    • Diverticular Disease

    • Congenital Disorders

    • Physical Trauma

    • Extrophy or Spina Bifida

How to arrange a visit:

There are various ways of connecting with a visitor, pre- and post-ostomy surgery:

Our Visiting Program also includes visits for partners, family members, caregivers and friends.

 
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“After my colostomy surgery, a trained visitor came to my house. Soon after, I became one myself, attending many sessions over the years. Help is always available at the Resource Centre where I volunteer.”

Muriel Kinnear

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“Our Visiting Program supports and complements the service provided by the patient’s surgeon and the Enterostomal Therapist.”

A registered nurse who has received specialized training in ostomy care.

 

Operation of Ostomy Toronto’s Visiting Program

We offer our Visiting Program in the Greater Toronto Area. Visits can also be arranged in the regions of Aurora-Newmarket-Richmond Hill, and Barrie-Orillia.

Ostomy Toronto maintains a well stocked resource centre with books and videos open to the general public.

The resource centre provides a comfortable, private setting where visitors can read books, watch videos, and obtain more detailed information from our onsite volunteers.

As individuals who have successfully made the transition to the ostomy lifestyle, we want you to know that you are not alone!

For more information, contact us or submit a form below.