Thousands of seniors from across the country celebrated an exciting week of the Annual All Seniors Care Senior Games. They joined to walk, compete on the Wii game console, chock their cues, play their best (card) hands, swim and have a great time. When the week was done, all enjoyed the benefits of stepping up their game and keeping active in a fun and social atmosphere.
The second annual All Seniors Care Senior Games, held at 16 All Seniors Care Living Centres across Canada February 7th to 11th, were an overwhelming success. The Games featured opening and closing ceremonies, five days of events, medal presentations, guest appearances by local dignitaries, and, best of all, inspiring performances from the competitors, some of whom were competing in these events for the first time … and loved it.
“We are proud to host these Games each year as part of our commitment to provide seniors with innovative ways to stay active,” said Lily Goodman, COO of All Seniors Care Living Centres Inc. ‘The 2011Games exceeded our expectations, as one of our residents put it – When you participate; you are a winner! - We congratulate everyone who took part. Our team is already working on ideas and plans for making next year’s Games even better.”
Opening Ceremonies across the country were held on Monday and featured political and community leaders coming out to cheer on the participants. Greetings and encouragement from Prime Minster Stephen Harper and Governor General David Johnston set an inspiring tone. When Prime Minister Harper wrote “Please accept my best wishes for a memorable week.” he could not have imagined how right on he was. On the first day alone over 1500 seniors across the country walked their way to fun and better health launching five days of fitness events at 16 seniors’ residences in the communities of Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Brandon, Winnipeg, Stratford, Ottawa and Gatineau-Aylmer.
Day 2 of the games continued across the country with a focus on exercise. All Seniors Care continued its mission of creating active senior living by highlighting Wii Bowling. Mayor Sam Katz Of Winnipeg, graced the competitors with his words of inspiration “your commitment active and healthy living is unparalleled and we appreciate your commitment to healthy living”
On Day 3, card and board games, including bridge, euchre, skip-bo, Whist, Scrabble, Cribbage, Uni, and Trivia, were fiercely contested. When asked how much she enjoyed the Day of competition Mary Horebec remarked “I really think we should have two days of board and card games… I am having a ball! These Games really keep me young!”
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Wii golf saw novice and low handicappers test their skill on Day 4. In Brandon our national Gold Medallist recorded a Hole-In-One which brought an enthusiastic roar from the spectators. The weather was great, there were no mosquitoes and the galleries were ready to cheer and encourage the participants with every swing of the “club”. Medals were being awarded all over the country this day as our Jean-Claude Gelly from Residences de la Gappe in Gatineau shot 3 under par to take home the Bronze.
On the final day of the Games, bocce and billiards medals were up on the line. Summerwood Village in Sherwood Park almost swept the Bocce national medals taking home Gold and Silver. While presenting the Bronze medal in Winnipeg Senator Sharon Carstairs remarked “I commend all of the participants on a week of healthy activity and living.
Throughout the week, participants made new friends and challenged themselves in new ways. “I don’t know if I can wait another year until the Seniors Games come again. I had so much fun this week!” observed competitor Eileen Hamilton.
All participants came away from the Games very much enriched by the experience. Preston Park Chef du Mission Ben Waldron summed up the experience nicely when he commented: this was the best week of my life… I did not want to do the Closing Ceremony.”
For more on the week’s results, visit www.allseniorscare.com.
