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The COVID-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on the inadequacies of long-term care for seniors with high rates of infection and subsequent deaths in these institutions. Moreover, the isolation, already felt by so many residents, has been made worse as family and caregiver visits were put on hold, only now beginning to resume in limited ways.
But in Kingston, Ontario there is an alternative program where seniors living in a private apartment building are creating their own community and with support, are aging well at home. Oasis Senior Supportive Living Inc. is a non-profit, collaborative program designed to strengthen and sustain elders by offering opportunities to socialize, stay physically fit and receive good nutrition, all in a spirit of fellowship. It also recognizes the importance of self-determination for seniors with services based on the needs and wishes of Oasis members. This innovative program can reduce the need for long-term care in the first place and operates at a fraction of the cost.
Many residents are in their 80s and 90s, and say they are doing well even during the pandemic because they have each other. Have a listen.
The program was excellent. Sandy, you really coordinated all the aspects of our program in a very informative and caring way. I will look forward to hearing your program on the expansion of OASIS hopefully in the near future.
Sorry my voice was so shaky. My breathing just wasn’t the greatest that day of the interview.
Thank you again for taking the time to listen and the music inserting into the program was a really nice touch. Hope to maybe meet you one day. I think you are another Tina like person.
Great job on the Oasis program. It takes a village to bring Oasis together and I am so pleased that you have included so many voices in your interviews. The common thread is the desire to keep our seniors home, and provide whatever supports we are able to. Looking forward to the next interviews.