Area nursing home residents compete in Golden Age Games

Walking to the sounds of bagpipes, chicken squawks and cheers from onlookers, parade participants from Southeast Missouri nursing care facilities marched one by one into the Osage Community Centre.

Some were dressed as knights and princes, while others sported the clothing of queens and fairy princesses.

As they made their entrance, singing, laughter and smiles reinforced a common theme throughout three hours of Olympic-style competition. While only a few participants could earn a trophy at these Golden Age Games, everyone enjoyed the day of fellowship and recreation away from their respective nursing home facilities.

Though mostly in their 70s, 80s and 90s, these senior citizens proved age is no barrier.

About 120 residents from 12 nursing homes representing Missouri Healthcare Association District 5 each took part in medieval-themed games. Events included putting in Gargoyle Golf, fishing at Monsters in the Moat, tossing coins into Windsor Well, successfully hitting a target with a bow and arrow at Robin Hood's Revenge and cheering on a battery-powered swine in Slop the Swine.

Heartland Care and Rehab from Cape Girardeau captured best in show during the parade. Coming in second was Elder Care of Marble Hill, Mo., while Ste. Genevieve Care Center of Ste. Genevieve, Mo., placed third overall.

Anna Strubee, a resident of Ste. Genevieve Care Center, said the Golden Age Games was one of the highlights of her year. Dressed in a purple dress and wearing a gold crown, Strubee was hoping to repeat her 2007 Golden Age Games performance, when she placed second in the fishing competition and her nursing home facility won first place for its entry in the parade.

"I'm so thrilled to get outside and enjoy this entire day of fun," Strubee said. "At our age, we don't get to do that very much."

Another resident who was all smiles before the competition was Spencer Holland from Elder Care of Marble Hill.

"Today we're all trying to have a good time and enjoy whatever the day brings," said Holland, who was sporting a silver breastplate and showing off his hand-made coat of arms. "For me, this is another way of enjoying life."

Southeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging volunteer ombudsman Bill Blaylock said the event bucks the stereotype that nursing home residents are mostly inactive.

"These residents know there is more to life than just sitting around," said Blaylock as he watched the parade. "They enjoy planning what they'll wear during the day as much as the competition itself. For the nursing home residents, this gives them another view of life."

Stephanie Schenck, Missouri Health Care Association District 5 president, said events such as Golden Age Games rekindle a competitive spirit within the residents while promoting an awareness of nursing homes.

"We don't want people to think that all nursing home residents can't fend for themselves," Schenck said. "If people attended this competition, they may think to themselves 'this is amazing.'

"This type of competition lifts the spirits of the nursing home residents who attend," she said. "By getting out of the facilities, they are able to participate in these competitive games while having fun. And that's what this is all about."

bblackwell@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 137