OASIS: a new concept for promoting the quality of life for older adults.

Dorothy Euwards, PhD, is Coordinator of Research, De· partment of Occupational Therapy, and Carolyn Manville Baum, MA, OTR, FAOTA, is Director of Occupational Therapy Clinical Services, both at the Irene Walter John· son Institute of Rehabilitation, Washington University Medical School, SI Louis, Missouri. Dorothy Edwards and Carolyn Manville Baum also are members of the OASIS AdVisory Committee. The Older Adult Service and Information System (OASIS) is a program designed to respond to the deterioration in the quality of life faced by a majority of older adults. Many older people find that as the demanding responsibilities of job and family are gone or materially diminished, there is a loss of purpose, a sense of inadequacy, a lack of self-esteem, all fueled by a perceived and, in many cases, real sense of loneliness and boredom. As a senior citizens' club and center located in a department store, the OASIS program provides a structured opportunity for older citizens to find new meaning in life, expand their horizons, renew old interests, and Jearn new talents and skills~all of which is directed toward the goal of maintaining a high quality of life to preserve one's sense of purpose and worth. Thus the program goes beyond the traditional basic offerings of food, clothing, and shelter provided by other programs. The enhancement of the quality of life for the older adult has been a stated goal of health professionals and social service agencies in traditional medical programs and community programs like senior citizen and nutrition centers. However, many older adults have negative feelings about senior citizen and nutrition centers although they still want and need opportunities for socializing and enrichment. The OASIS program was designed with this realization in mind When the program was proposed to the United States Administration on Aging, its officials perceived OASIS as an opportunity for the public and private sectors to collaborate on a demonstration project. Funding for OASIS began in 1982