Nursing homes compete in ‘Senior Olympics’

Written by Alexander Quinones, Gallatin News Examiner

Nine nearby nursing homes owned by Signature HealthCARE came together at the Cornerstone General Baptist Church Friday, Aug. 24 to compete in the company’s annual Senior Olympic Games.

The games focus on light tasks and mental activities. Regional Director Roni Scheurer said given the age of the residents, it’s very important to keep the mind as well as the body healthy.

“We want to keep them mentally sharp,” she said.

In the Island Treasure Tray event, for example, residents were challenged to remember the order of a series of items.

“What we had was sort of a memory game,” she said. “We laid items out on the table. They got to look at them, and then we took all items away, and if they put those items back in order … they scored really high. The quicker you got it finished, in the right order, is who won.”

Winners of the events were given bronze, silver and gold medals. Scheurer is planning another games event for eastern Kentucky residents in November.

The nursing homes that participated in last week’s event were Westmoreland Care and Rehab, Pickett Care and Rehab, Standing Stone Care and Rehab, The Bridge at Highland, Signature Healthcare of Columbia, Donelson Place Care and Rehab, Fentress County Care and Rehab, Clinton County Care and Rehab and Signature Healthcare of Erin.