Lincoln’s Oasis Senior Center Gains Lifesaving Resource Through Community Partnership

After responding to several medical emergencies in just eight months, including two cardiac arrests, leaders at the Oasis Senior Center in Lincoln knew they needed to be better prepared for the unexpected.

The senior center, which serves older adults throughout Logan County, reached out to the Lincoln Memorial Foundation for help purchasing an automated external defibrillator (AED). The foundation stepped in to cover the AED cost and worked with Lincoln Memorial Hospital (LMH) to provide hands-on training for the volunteers and board members of Oasis Senior Center.

This spring, Heather Callahan, MSN, RN, of the LMH Emergency Department led AED training for 10 participants. The group learned how to recognize sudden cardiac arrest, assess a victim, safely operate the AED and properly place pads on adults and children.

“The participants were excited about the training and felt more confident in a crisis situation,” said Callahan. “Several even wanted to take a CPR class after learning how to use the AED.”

What began as a request for equipment became an opportunity for the Lincoln Memorial Foundation, LMH and the Oasis Senior Center to work together to strengthen emergency preparedness and support the health and safety of local seniors.

“Helping an organization like the Oasis Senior Center be better prepared to handle unexpected medical emergencies was an easy yes,” said Sarah Helm, director of the Lincoln Memorial Foundation. “They identified an important health-related need in our community and sought assistance. We were delighted to help, not just with financial assistance but also to connect them with our hospital experts.”

Want to learn more about the foundation or make a donation? Visit memorial.health.