Care Homes Celebrate the Paralympic Games!

Whilst the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games took place between 24th August 2021 - 5th September 2021, care homes across the country celebrated by taking part in exciting Paralympic-themed activities!

Read on to find out what our fabulous care home partners got up to during the Paralympics.

Image to the right: Team Canaries from Cranmer Court, Caring Homes

Premier Court, Bupa

To celebrate the Tokyo Olympics & Paralympics, Bupa Premier Court in Bishop’s Stortford held their very own Olympic Week. The week saw residents work alongside staff to create decorations, bunting and flags to help deliver the activity.

Events included ‘tin can’ alley, bean bag putt, netball, weightlifting, egg and spoon race around the home, tennis ball darts and frisbee discus. The week was also linked to the resident’s weekly exercise and movement classes.

Residents both participated in and were spectators to events and each resident represented a country of their choosing, depending on family connections - so there was great representation across the globe.

Everyone enjoyed the week. ‘Team USA’ won the overall competition and gold medal, ‘Team GB’ and ‘Team Ireland’ in joint silver position and ‘Team Australia’ and ‘Team New Zealand’ sharing third place and the bronze medal in the medal table.

Lodge Care Home, Black Swan Care Group

Residents at Lodge Care Home, that supports elderly care and dementia care in Essex, enjoyed making their own handmade winners podium complete with handmade trophies and medals, and enjoyed watching the events with a lovely spread in the lounge.

Marham House, Halcyon Care Homes

"At midday on Friday 23rd July 2021, one year later than planned, with a glass of fizz in hand, we took our seats in our luxurious cinema room to watch the opening ceremony of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. I’ve always followed the games. I enjoy the pomp of the opening ceremony, the way in which each country attempts to outshine the previous host. It’s incredible to think that it was 9 years ago that these prestigious games came to London; it feels like yesterday.

Since the start of the modern Olympic Games in 1896, the games have been cancelled just 3 times; on each occasion, this was due to war. The first time was in 1916 when the games were due to be hosted by Germany in Berlin, the second time in 1940 when the games were due to be held in Tokyo and then once more in 1944 when the games were to be held in London. London went on to host the games in 1948. Tokyo did not host the games until 1964. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games were of course cancelled due to the Coronavirus pandemic; thankfully they were able to go ahead this year albeit without spectators.

There has been quite a buzz around the games this year; the fact that they were able to go ahead gave us a feeling that some semblance of normality might be returning. We got together and made flags to decorate our cinema room and we took part in quizzes to test both our world and sporting knowledge. We had the chance to sample food from other cultures and learned so much about the athletes, but the best part was watching the games. The screen in the cinema room is enormous and was perfect to watch the action. The athletes are so talented and clearly so focused. They are inspiring to watch.

Of course, whilst all the athletes deserve much praise for their commitment you can’t help but be in awe of the Paralympic athletes. We are at a time in our lives when our mobility is not what it once was; some of us know first-hand the constricts of disabilities and to see these athletes compete at this level, overcoming obstacles that would cause many to give up is quite humbling.

We have loved being able to embrace the Olympic Games and to learn all about their history. Roll on 2024!"

Cranmer Court, Caring Homes

To commemorate this year’s Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics, Cranmer Court held their very own Sports Day in August.

The day got off to a brilliant start with a group dance from the staff to Jerusalema - a dance craze that went viral during the pandemic. In the weeks running up to the event, staff practised their dance routine daily – with residents joining in, in the courtyard and offering their opinions on improvement!

Staff and residents were split into three teams, Robins, Canaries and Kingfishers and teams sported colours accordingly. Throughout the day, teams competed in various games, including an egg and spoon race, bean bag archery, basketball and bowling.

The day was filled with laughter and heated competition, as each team was eager to win the trophy. The competition was close, but the Robins were crowned the champions for this year – well done Red Robins!

Baugh House Care Centre, Gold Care Homes

Ron, a resident of Baugh House in Sidcup, can be seen below with his dart gun - he wishes the Paralympics had a foam dart gun competition as he’s sure he would smash everyone out of the park!

Glebefields Care Home, Barchester Healthcare

Barchester Glebefields care home in Drayton near Banbury enjoyed a morning of Paralympic based activities.

Residents coloured in some ‘medal’ outlines which they really enjoyed and Sami Fawcett, Customer Relationship Manager also encouraged the residents (and staff) to join in with some games;  indoor putting and basketball and golf. Everyone had great fun doing things to their abilities.

Paul, resident playing netball (above)

Piotr, Carer playing golf (above)

Avery Healthcare

Several of Avery Healthcare's care homes got into the spirit of competition for the Tokyo Olympics & Paralympics this year with many organising in-house events and activities for residents and staff to enjoy.

Droitwich Mews

Staff and residents at Droitwich Mews took part in an Olympic torch relay in their beautiful gardens to the song, ‘Chariots of Fire’. Well-being and Activities Co-ordinator, Emily, commented, “There was so much laughter in the garden, it was lovely to see and be a part of!” The games were followed by an official closing ceremony and Droitwich Mews resident, Sylvia, was the designated awards presenter, handing out medals and certificates to all the crowned winners.

Loxley Park

At Loxley Park, residents participated in balloon volleyball, a bean bag toss, darts, and a paper plane launch. Prizes included medals, certificates and yummy chocolate bars for the gold winners.

Knowle Gate

Knowle Gate staff and residents put their own spin on the games this year and competed in some fun activities, such as crazy golf, basketball, a cone ring toss and balloon tennis to name a few! Resident, Margery, raised everybody’s spirits by cheering on and motivating her fellow residents.