Seniors games promote healthy activity, friendly competition
Out of the way, Olympics. Canadian senior citizens have their own set of games to play this winter.
The 10th annual All Seniors Care Seniors Games kicked off on Monday and has continued throughout the week at Preston Park I and II retirement residences in Saskatoon. The competitions include games and sports such as floor shuffleboard, Nintendo Wii bowling and billiards. Anyone living in the homes is free to take part.
“It’s just wonderful to be a part of it,” Al Linklater, 90, said. “We make friends. I might not be able to say their name the next time I meet them, but I know I’m their friend and they’re my friend.”
Linklater, who moved into Preston Park II last May, said he already considers it home. Now he has been helping advertise the senior games among fellow residents.
The games in Saskatoon are part of a national event taking place at 30 All Seniors Care Living Centres across the country to encourage friendly competition and healthy activity among the seniors. Winners of each event are awarded gold medals during a daily afternoon medal ceremony.
The top scores for each event are recorded and compared against scores from the other competing seniors residences across the country, and participants in Saskatoon can earn a national medal if their score beats all the rest.
Lifestyle director Karen Waldner said while the competitive aspect helps set the games apart from regularly scheduled activities, the widespread nature of the games helps get the seniors excited.
“I think it validates how important everyone still sees the residents,” Waldner said. “People care what they do still.”
Saskatchewan’s lieutenant-governor, Tom Malloy, was one of the delegates who helped kick off the event on Monday.
A list of guests, including MP Kevin Waugh, Coun. Bev Dubois, police Chief Troy Cooper and provincial Justice Minister Don Morgan were expected to attend the conclusion on Friday.
According to the complex’s executive director, Raissa Bugyi, about 200 seniors live in Preston Park II, and most of them get involved in one way or another. Those who are unable to participate directly are enthusiastic cheerleaders.
“I think everyone is involved in some aspect,” Bugyi said. “(The winners) really are so focused on making sure everyone is having fun.”
As seniors squared off for floor shuffleboard matches on Thursday morning, murmurs of approval and congratulations could be heard after every decisive push of a disk.
The games can take a lot of time (the bocce tournament round robin took around 2½ hours on Wednesday), but many seemed thrilled to be able to compete.
“This helps us maintain our youth,” Linklater said.