January 14, 2021 – The Oasis Institute, a nonprofit educational
organization dedicated to enriching the lives of adults ages 50+, has
announced the launch of Oasis Everywhere, a virtual lifelong learning
platform with an expansive menu of online classes aimed to provide seniors
with social connections and enrichment as they continue to shelter in their
homes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Oasis Everywhere offers live online courses led by top instructors from
across the country, making it possible for anyone in the U.S. to participate
in exclusively curated classes and seminars streamed from Oasis Centers
across the country. Utilizing a simple online platform and Zoom video
conferencing, anyone can easily explore their interests regardless of
geographic location, mobility, or travel constraints.
Affordably-priced classes are easily searchable and open for registration
through the Oasis Everywhere website, www.oasiseverywhere.org. Available
courses cover a variety of topics ranging from art and history to science,
religion, cooking, technology, current events, health, and more.
“Through Oasis Everywhere, you can learn alongside your mom, dad,
grandparent, neighbor or friend as we all adjust to pandemic life while also
prioritizing our older loved ones who need support and care,” said Paul
Weiss, PhD, President of The Oasis Institute. “We have carefully curated
Oasis classes with the interests of adults ages 50+ in mind, but we have
found that our topics really have a broad appeal, especially in these days of
self-quarantine.”
The need for online classes increased exponentially in 2020 due to the
isolation experienced by so many seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. The
National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted by AARP and Michigan Medicine in
June 2020 reported 56 percent of respondents over the age of 50 sometimes or
often felt isolated, more than double the number in the same study from 2018.
The Oasis Institute launched Oasis Everywhere to address that need.
Participants on the platform have reported that their learning experiences
are valuable, varied and offer high-quality intellectual stimulation amongst
the uncertainty. Participants have something to look forward to as they see
old friends and make new ones through the interactive video sessions.
“We are thrilled to offer this opportunity to older adults around the
world, with the same great instructors and classmate interaction that people
have grown to love in Oasis Centers,” said Weiss. “These classes are more
important than ever as people increasingly struggle with isolation and look
for social connections from within their homes. They’re looking for
engaging content that will offer them a window to the world, and that’s
exactly what Oasis Everywhere provides.”
Founded in St. Louis, Missouri, for nearly 40 years, Oasis Centers and
partners throughout the country have served adults ages 50 and over as a
“home away from home” with robust educational offerings that include arts
and humanities, science and technology, health education and exercise
programs, as well as purposeful volunteer opportunities. Due to the pandemic,
for the first time in the organization’s history, that all came to a
screeching halt. The timing could not have been better to expedite the launch
a project five-years in the making…Oasis Everywhere.
Oasis Everywhere is open for individual enrollment and offers group
enrollment for senior centers and care facilities that want to provide
additional enrichment to their residents. The classes offer a turnkey
solution and enrollment group discounts for facilities that want to expand
the variety of opportunities for learning and social activities that they
offer. Senior living communities who register residents receive a 15%
discount.
