Residents ride hype of post-Olympic spirit
Home-wide effort to deliver residents their own version of the games
Friday March 5, 2010 -- Natalie Hamilton
Whether they were shooting pucks into a hockey net or balancing a tennis ball on a spoon, residents cheered each other on in their quest for gold at Temiskaming Lodge recently.

On Feb. 25, a few days prior to the closing ceremonies of Vancouver 2010, the most successful winter Olympic games in Canadian history, the Haileybury long-term care home organized its own version of the events. Thirty residents took part in hockey, curling, a ring toss and a balance game.

It was a home-wide effort to the pull off the event, which was inspired by residents getting into the Olympic spirit, along with the rest of the country.

"Everybody was in a real Olympic mode here," says Sheila Mills, restorative care co-ordinator at the 82-bed home.

"Residents were following the Olympics and we wondered what we could do to emulate what they were watching."

Staff members contributed in a number of ways to pull off the two-hour event from bringing in gear for the games to cleaning up space in the home for the activities.

The skill level required for each event varied to be inclusive of residents who have differing physical and cognitive abilities. Mills says the home's contracted physiotherapist took part to ensure residents derived physical benefits from the activities.

"No matter what their level of ability was, we modified it so it was a success for everybody."

The emotional rewards of participating were apparent to Mills. "The camaraderie...was phenomenal."

She notes residents rooted each other on and supported one another. The home played CTV's Olympic theme song 'I Believe' during the activities.

While participants made their way through the events and staff kept score, winners were declared through a draw. Ten residents became proud owners of official Olympic gear — the popular mittens with the red maple leaves on the them. Everyone who took part received Canadian flag lapel pins.

"We had a great time."

Mills, activation aides, Kim Blanchard and Debra Mallise, along with Jamie Matt, a co-op student studying to be a social worker, organized the games. Matt also designed a picture board and kept count of the medals during the games so residents could visually see Canada's results.

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