West Lothain care home residents get sporty with their own Olympic Games

More than ninety residents from care homes across West Lothian have taken part in their own Olympic Games.

The eager athletes took on sock pairing, bean bag tossing, and a hook-a-duck challenge in a bid to promote health and well-being among the elderly.

The enthusiastic competitors held their own opening ceremony followed by several sporting challenges, before ending their day with a cup of tea and a scone.

One of the competitors, Maggie May, 90, said it had been a wonderful experience.

“We enjoy getting together and just talking and laughing, ” she said.

Margaret Elder, 87, said it was nice to be out the home doing something a little different.

“It’s just nice taking part and being out for a little while,” she said. “otherwise I’m just sitting at home, but they look after you really well here.”

James Muro, 77, was especially pleased to know there was a celebratory tea dance to end the day.

“It’s a long time since I’ve been winching,” he joked, adding: “But really, the companionship here and the way everyone knits together, I mean it’s absolutely great.”

Avril Clarkson founded the Canalympics a decade ago to promote health and fitness among care home residents.

“Never write off the older generation,” she said. “We’ve got some here who were perhaps basketball players, volleyball players, badminton players, footballers in their lifetime and to be able to encourage a level of activity that they can still achieve at this time in their life, that’s just fantastic.”

The bean bag toss was a big hit. West Lothian Leisure

Physical activity is a protective factor for heart disease, stroke, diabetes and even some types of cancer.

According to council data, West Lothian is forecast to have a 44 percent increase in people of a pensionable age over the next 25 years – twice the Scottish average.

Meaning keeping residents fit and active is essential for the region.

The games were hosted and run thanks to a community effort from West Lothian Leisure’s Xcite Craigswood team with volunteers from Tesco on hand to serve tea and fresh scones donated from a local social enterprise known as The Larder.

Local charity ‘Smile – Adventure with Dementia’, which raises awareness about the importance of staying active in later years, also sponsored the medals and trophies.

“Good fun, good laughter, good banter,” said Lisa Hunter, from Xcite West Lothian Leisure.

“You can feel the sense of community in the room, the sense of joy and pride will all our different care home residents, it’s just a great afternoon.”