Why compassion
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People who work in long-term care are motivated to help others. Oasis builds on that desire to further cultivate their compassion. Recent research suggests compassion can be a source of hardiness, well-being and resilience rather than fatigue and has been called the “precious necessity”.
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Oasis Overview PDF
How Oasis works
Language matters
Person-first language is used throughout. Neuropsychologists have confirmed that language not only reflects what we think but also shapes how we think. Describing a person with schizophrenia as a ‘schizophrenic’ or a specialty unit for persons with dementia as the ‘dementia wing’ only reinforces the focus on the disease, rather than on the person.
Person-directed care matters
Person-centered care continues to evolve and the term has come to have many meanings. Oasis uses the term person-directed in order to signal further change, where the drivers of care are not just needs but a person’s goals, dreams and wishes. The focus remains on who a person is, not just what they have. In this context, challenging behaviors are viewed as communication of unmet needs.
Evidence matters
Policy makers and facility leadership (owners, administrators, supervisors) are more willing to adopt new practices when they feel the practices are based in something other than the personal preferences or beliefs of the curriculum designer. Oasis builds on the growing body of knowledge about what does and does not work in achieving the twin goals of quality care and quality of life in long-term care settings.
Staff matters
Oasis embraces the idea that better jobs = better care. Oasis recognizes that staff bring valuable knowledge and experience to every encounter. Oasis recognizes staff are doing the best they can with what they know and provides additional tools so they can do even better.
"I did then what I knew how to do.
Now that I know better, I do better."
- Maya Angelou
