Introduction

Oasis is a senior-driven approach to aging in place that exists in naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs). More than eleven years ago, a group of older adults in an apartment building (Bowling Green II) in Kingston, Ontario, Canada began self-organizing to promote a program within their building for tenants who were looking for activities and services onsite. Over time, Oasis has received funding and currently employs an Onsite Coordinator who assists with organizing daily activities. Activities are determined and led by the Oasis Bowling Green members, and broadly fall into three categories: social activities, physical activities, and nutrition-related activities.

 

In 2018, Oasis partnered with Queen's, Western and McMaster Universities, to evaluate and expand the Oasis program to six new sites across the province of Ontario. The following manual details the steps our research team took to develop and implement Oasis in these new sites.

 

​It is important to note that many of the phases were being completed simultaneously, even if they are listed here from 1-6. Our primary objective was to launch Oasis programs in each identified building by the start of 2019. Thus, in some cases we began engaging with residents while space modifications were taking place so as not to lose momentum. However, for the purpose of this handbook, we have tried to lay steps out in a logical manner as to how one would begin to create a new Oasis site.