The roadmap for creating a novel outdoor activity space in a rehabilitation hospital setting: the OASIS program initiative.

Abstract

Introduction: To meet older people's physical and mental health needs the built environment is becoming increasingly important for the health and community aged care systems. The usage of an age-friendly outdoor space as an enhancement to standard treatment for rehabilitation in hospital settings holds promise as part of patients' continuum of care. This descriptive case study described the design and development of an age-friendly outdoor rehabilitation space in a hospital setting in Sydney Australia, the OASIS (Outdoor Activity Space for Improving your Strength) program.

Method: This descriptive case study reports the step-by-step process from initial concept to activation of the space. Drawing on internal planning documents, site plans, meeting records, and project materials, it outlines key phases including stakeholder consultation, site selection, design development, equipment installation, staff training, risk management, and pilot testing of a group-based exercise program.

Results: The process took approximately four years which included consultation, examination and selection of suitable feature design and equipment selection. Training and upskilling staff and risk management were undertaken prior to pilot testing an exercise program. Preliminary usage testing of the space demonstrated safe usage by older people in a group setting with successful transition from supervised program into independent usage.

Conclusion: The OASIS approach offers an innovative adjunctive therapeutic approach to standard treatment for rehabilitation and physical activity participation of older people in out-patient settings. Future work is required to explore its provisional integration as part of the hospital in-patient and out-patient services.