Innovative aging-in-place program expanding to Medicine Hat

The nationally renowned Oasis aging-in-place program is expanding to Medicine Hat starting in August. The opportunity has been made possible with funding from Healthy Aging Alberta, and through a partnership between the Neighbourhood Associations of Medicine Hat & Area, Queen’s University, and Oasis. The City of Medicine Hat is a proud partner of the Neighbourhood Associations of Medicine Hat & Area.

Oasis is a member-led program that empowers older adults to shape the activities, programs, and services they want in their own community. It focuses on social connection, physical activity and nutrition, and connecting residents with local services and resources, and nutrition.

The expansion provides up to three seniors communities in Medicine Hat with the benefits of the program. Examples of seniors communities include, but are not limited to, condo boards, resident associations and other sites without paid programming staff.

With the expansion, Medicine Hat becomes the first city in a prairie province to offer this evidence-based, older-adult-driven model.

“We recognize the importance of being able to age in place in our community, and the value it brings as well. Oasis does a great job at empowering residents to connect with their neighbours and access supports to remain in their homes for as long as possible. We are thrilled to be the first city in the prairies to offer this program,” said Shantel Ottenbreit, Community Resource Worker with the City of Medicine Hat, and Chair of Neighbourhood Associations of Medicine Hat & Area.

How to participate

To be considered as a potential expansion site, leadership representative(s) from interested seniors communities are required to RSVP and attend an upcoming information session and submit a brief expression of interest. The information session is set for Wednesday, August 5 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Unison at Veiner Centre. It will detail the Oasis model and its benefits, what is involved in becoming an Oasis community, how to submit an expression of interest, the supports available to participating communities, and more.

Visit the Neighbourhood Associations page on Shape Your City to learn more about Oasis, and how to RSVP for the information session.

Job opportunity

Each of the three selected communities will be supported by a shared Oasis Program Coordinator. The full-time position will support each community in a part-time capacity, and work alongside residents to help bring their ideas to life. Those interested in applying for the Oasis Program Coordinator position can learn more on Shape Your City.

Community partnership

Additionally, businesses and organizations can partner with Oasis to support aging-in-place efforts in Medicine Hat. Examples of partnerships include, but are not limited to the following:

• Home care or fraud prevention presentations
• Tax clinics, or mobile health clinics
• Student placements or intergenerational learning opportunities
• Sports teams looking to provide community service to older adults
• Skill building opportunities

Interested businesses and organizations are invited to attend a separate information session to learn more. This information session will be held Wednesday, August 5 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Unison at the Veiner Centre. Those interested in the opportunity can learn more here.

For media inquiries, please contact:
media@medicinehat.ca