Why a Store for "Old People"?
We here at OPS believe that the Baby Boomer generation occupies a turning point in American history. Like ancient cultures, whose timeless beliefs about family were discarded during the industrial revolution when work became more valued than wisdom, it is our core belief that aging should be a continued stage of development and growth, rather than a period of decline. We celebrate aging and all the new experiences it can bring to us, rather than fear it.
Empowerment
Our positive view of Elderhood is very much patterned after the work pioneered by The Eden Alternative. They are a dynamic group seeking to remake the experience of aging around the world. The bulk of their work to date has been in de- institutionalizing the culture and environment of today’s nursing homes and other long term care institutions.Founded in 1991 by Dr. William Thomas, a Harvard-educated physician, The Eden Alternative has trained over 15,000 Eden Associates. The staff and management of these homes continue to work towards meaningful culture change through ongoing training and a continued dedication to creating a life worth living for those in their care.
What We Believe
The core concept of The Eden Alternative is strikingly simple.Dr. Thomas and his 15,000 associates teach that where elders live must be habitats for human beings, not sterile medical institutions. They are dedicated to eliminating the plagues of Loneliness, Helplessness, and Boredom that make life intolerable in most of today’s long-term care facilities.
Places that have adopted the Eden Alternative typically are filled with plants, animals, electronics, beautiful things, personal items and are regularly visited by children. In short, they are filled with the things that YOU want around you, not what a nursing home board dictates that you may have.
Our Store is Your Store
So it is the mission of the whimsically named "old people's store" to carry all the items that YOU want and need to shop for as you pass through this glorious stage of life.Clothing, books, physical aids, learning tools, furniture, music are all slated to find permanent homes on the "virtual shelves" of this store. What's important is that you can suggest what inventory we feature and leave us reviews of the items you love or hate. By leaving us messages, or voting with your pocket books, we'll carry the items that are most important to all of you.
We are starting small with a simple Amazon store. Soon we will open an eBay store and shortly thereafter carry our own drop-shipped merchandise from wholesale manufacturers all over the world. The more feedback we get from you, the better our stores will be.
From all of us at OPS, here's wishing us seniors a terrific journey together as we shop online into our 'golden years'.