Residents are taking part in community torch relays, wheelchair breakdancing and balloon beach volleyball
Four Seasons Health Care Group care homes are going for gold as they celebrate the Paris Olympics with people in their local communities at themed sports days.
Residents at 50 Four Seasons Health Care and Brighterkind care homes throughout the UK are taking part in their own garden games and medal ceremonies while supporting Team GB in their quest for medals in Paris. In the lead-up to the games, residents have been creating flags and bunting in their arts and crafts activities and Olympic torches to pass around their local communities. At Hillside Lodge Care Home in Berwick-upon-Tweed, over 70 local schools, charities, businesses and community groups were involved in a month-long torch relay, following an invitation to take part from the care home on social media.
The care homes’ Magic Moments Coordinators have devised a series of activities designed for residents of all abilities to take part in, including ‘oeuf et cuillère’ races, armchair archery, balloon beach volleyball, tabletop hockey and even wheelchair breakdancing.
Reminiscence sessions have been triggering memories from previous Olympics with some favourite moments being Mary Peters winning the gold for pentathlon at Munich 1972, David Wilkie’s gold-winning 200-metre breaststroke at Montreal 1976, and Tessa Sanderson’s gold medal for Javelin at Los Angeles 1984.
Resident Hilda Burke, aged 87, who lives at St Catherines Care Home in Bolton, said: “I loved it, visiting schools and handing over the Olympic torch to the children was brilliant and I won the wheelchair race!”
Leanne-May Walsh, who heads up the Magic Moments activities programme for the care home group, said: “Everyone is really getting involved in our Olympic activities and I’m sure we’re going to be handing out lots of medals to our residents who are a very competitive bunch! It’s been fantastic to have so many community groups getting involved in our torch relays and a great way to keep our residents connected to the people and places in their local area. Our fun-filled fortnight will culminate with closing ceremony parties so we can celebrate everyone’s participation with a French feast and a glass or two of fizz.”
Operating under the Four Seasons Health Care and Brighterkind brands, Four Seasons Health Care Group has 50 care homes across the UK, caring for nearly 3,000 people. The group provides long-term and respite residential and nursing care for older people and are an award-winning, sector leader with an innovative approach to specialist dementia care.
