Seniors go for gold in Nursing Home Olympics
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JACKSON, Tenn. — Senior citizens from across West Tennessee competed for gold medals on Wednesday as the Tennessee Health Care Association Jackson District hosted its annual senior Olympic games. Nearly 200 seniors from 18 nursing homes competed in their own version of the Olympics, focusing on one thing. “Bringing home the gold,” Martha Miller, 77, said. Miller traveled from Bruceton to compete, but not without a little practice beforehand. “We did the basketball, the tosses,” she said. Some of the categories included basketball, bean bag and dart tosses. Organizers said athletes get competitive. “The residents love it,” Maplewood Health Care Activity Director Heather Ray said. “It’s a good time to get out of the facility, just to enjoy meeting other people.” Ray said the top three winners in each category will get a medal and that every participant goes home with a trophy. Ray said athletes range in age from about 50 to 100 years old. Miller said it was her first time participating, and she loved it. “I’m pumped up and ready,” she said. Organizers said athletes also get to compete in wheelchair races and a dance contest.
