Oasis Expansion Project
Oasis Senior Supportive Living Inc. is an older adult driven model to support aging-in-place, typically located in naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs). The original program has been running since 2011 and was born out of a collaboration between the Kingston Frontenac Council on Aging and a group of tenants in a mixed-residential Kingston apartment building.
The overall goal of Oasis is to increase social engagement and participation in older adults to support health and well-being. Oasis is created by members for members; activities and programming in each community are tailored the needs of the members it serves. However, collaborative research with Oasis has identified some key elements shared by all communities:
1. Oasis On-site Coordinator
2. Communal space
5. Physical activities
1. Oasis On-site Coordinator
Oasis Expansion
in 2018 Oasis partnered with researchers at Queen's, Western and McMaster universities to expand and evaluate Oasis in four cities across Ontario. This work was funded by the Baycrest Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation, the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, and the Ministry for Seniors and Accessibility. Each grant was specifically designated to support the expansion to a particular Oasis community in the province.
As Oasis expanded, a network of seven communities formed to support the sustainability of all sites. In partnership with the universities, building residents and the onsite Coordinators are working to develop programming based on diverse needs.
In 2021, Oasis and its research partners received funding to further support expansion of Oasis to five additional communities across Canada. This work also includes the development of a governance structure and sustainability plan, and the launch of a pan-Canadian network of older adults, community providers, researchers and decision-makers interested in the Oasis initiative.
Maps of the 11 Oasis communities in Canada.
2 sites in Vancouver, BC
4 sites in Kingston, ON (original community + expansion sites)