100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

100% Locally Owned, Independent and Free

Video: aged care residents in Pelican Waters get a taste for the Toyko Olympics

Do you have a news tip? Click here to send to our news team.

Property boom continues but affordability slows growth

Sunshine Coast real estate prices are continuing to climb, placing more pressure on first-home buyers and renters. Data from real estate experts PropTrack shows the More

Airport powers ahead with solar scheme

A key regional aviation hub has unveiled its first large-scale solar project, with 320 panels installed on the terminal roof. Sunshine Coast Airport's 190.24kW system More

B2B: Why trust minutes are so important for good governance

Preparing trust minutes is a critical part of good governance and compliance for trustees. Here’s why they are so important. Also known as a trust More

Photo of the day: dog at dawn

Win Fowles took this photo at Coondibah Creek, Currimundi. If you have a photo of the day offering, email photo@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. Photos must be horizontal/landscape and More

Tough calls and tighter belts in council budget shake-up

Sunshine Coast Council has launched a major financial overhaul in its annual budget, cutting costs while lifting rates to manage rising pressures. The $1 billion More

Pub out, wellness in: revised plan up for feedback

Residents are being invited to have their say on proposed changes to a development in a bustling Sunshine Coast suburb. Locals have until July 21 More

The Tokyo Games has lit the interest of aged care residents in Caloundra who pulled out their joggers and wheelchairs to hold their own torch relay.

A heart-warming video that will bring a smile to your face shows elderly residents of St Mary’s Aged Care in Pelican Waters getting into the spirit of the Games, complete with a Chariots of Fire backing track.

And while they weren’t exactly sprinting out of the blocks, they put in enough effort to earn an Olympic-themed cupcake and biscuit at the finish line.

The activity was designed to connect residents with what’s going on in the world while encouraging some form of physical and social activity.

The footage shows the frail and elderly starting at one end of the facility and completing a short leg each as supporting residents are stationed at intervals to cheer them on.

The homemade torch with cellophane and foil flames was passed from person to person along a route to the clubhouse where the celebratory morning tea waited them.

Diversional therapist Ian Donaldson said about 10 residents took part in the relay while others lined the corridors as spectators.

“They probably did about 10 to 20 metres each and the carers from the wings brought others out to cheer them as they want past and make sure they were in position and it went quite smoothly I thought,” said Ian.

“It was amazing we had the Chariots of Fire music playing in the background.

“We tried to explain to them what it was beforehand but I don’t think some of them got it until it went past.

“But the look on their faces they just loved it.”

“We had a couple who over-ran their leg and had to come back a bit but it was great.”

The centre’s lifestyle therapy co-ordinator Jackie Nawrotzky came up with the idea as an addition to the Olympics morning tea that was planned.

Residents were treated to medals made of Oreos with licorice straps as ribbons, green and gold cupcakes and arrowroot biscuits decorated with smarties in Olympic colours.

Ian said gentle exercise was part of their daily routine but for the next two weeks residents would be introduced to a different Olympic sport.

First up was tennis so Ian brought along his racquet which he handed to residents who were seated in a circle, throwing a ball to each of them to have a hit.

One resident in the dementia ward even picked up the ball with her foot like a pro.

“I wouldn’t have thought just bringing a tennis racquet in would make such a difference and that’s only one sport we’ve done so far,” he said.

St Mary’s Aged Care has about 84 residents aged between their 60s and 99, with most in their 80s.

Subscribe to SCN’s free daily news email

This field is hidden when viewing the form
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
[scn_go_back_button] Return Home
Share