[News] Nationally renowned Oasis program expanding to Medicine Hat to support healthy aging

Medicine Hat will become the first city in a prairie province to offer a nationally recognized program designed to help older adults age in place and build stronger community connections.

The Oasis program is expanding to Medicine Hat in August through funding from Healthy Aging Alberta and a partnership involving the Neighbourhood Associations of Medicine Hat and Area, Queen’s University, and Oasis, with the City of Medicine Hat supporting the initiative as a community partner.

Oasis is a member-led program that allows older adults to shape the activities, services and supports available in their own communities.

Developed in Kingston over 15 years ago, the program was created to help seniors age well at home by focusing on key factors linked to healthy aging, including social connection, physical activity, nutrition and a sense of purpose.

The model connects residents with local resources and services while building on the strengths and ideas of older adults themselves.

The expansion provides up to three seniors communities in Medicine Hat with the benefits of the program, including groups such as condo boards, resident associations and other locations without paid programming staff.

Shantel Ottenbreit, a Community Resource Worker with the City of Medicine Hat and chair of the Neighbourhood Associations of Medicine Hat and Area, said the program will help empower older adults to connect with their neighbours and access supports that allow them to remain in their homes longer.

The organization is hosting an information session on August 5 at the Unison at Veiner Centre for seniors communities interested in participating.

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