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May 15, 2001
Chicagoland Nursing Home Residents
to Compete in the Heritage Games: Activities Include Nerf Hockey, Arm Wrestling, and Balloon
Bust
(CHICAGO) -- Hundreds of nursing home residents from
Chicago-area facilities will be competing in a variety
of skill-appropriate athletic activities at the Heritage
Games.
This exciting and unique sporting event will be taking
place at the Windy City Fieldhouse, 2367 West Logan
Boulevard in Chicago on June 6, 2001 from 10:00 a.m.
to 3:30 p.m. The Illinois Council on Long Term Care,
a professional association representing 210 Illinois
nursing facilities serving 38,000 residents, is sponsoring
this Olympics-style celebration. The media is invited
to attend.
During the past two months, nursing facilities throughout
the Chicago area have sponsored their own local athletic
competitions. The winners from these events will represent
their facilities at the Heritage Games, where they will
have the chance to demonstrate their abilities and compete
with their peers. Residents of all ages from a variety
of health care settings will be involved, including
individuals from short-term rehabilitation facilities,
mental health settings, and long-term residential environments.
"With the anticipation of the Olympic Games being
held in Salt Lake City in 2002, our facilities thought
it would be fun to offer an opportunity for our residents
to participate in an adapted athletic format,"
states Myrtle Klauer, director of resident services
for the Illinois Council. "We have been thrilled
at how the residents have taken their athletic preparation
seriously. They are looking forward to giving their
all for the benefit of their teams."
Skill-appropriate athletic activities to be featured
include Minefield Maze, Nerf Floor Hockey, Wacky Relays,
Basketball Shoot-Out, Arm Wrestling, Volleyball, and
Balloon Bust Relay. Residents will be divided into six
divisions, with categories for ambulatory and non-ambulatory
residents. Family members, staff, and volunteers will
also be on hand to serve as "cheerleaders,"
encouraging their teams and celebrating the residents'
victories.
Among the dignitaries expected to attend this exciting
event will be Illinois Lieutenant Governor Corrine
Wood. She will be giving a short presentation at
the opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. about the value of
encouraging the residents' abilities and promoting their
continued involvement in life-affirming activities.
Other state representatives and senators from the residents'
home districts are expected to participate in the Heritage
Games as well.
Members of each team will be wearing matching t-shirts,
with their team banner on display. Medals will be awarded
to the top three resident winners in each category during
an "Olympics-style" ceremony. Throughout the
day, the Windy City Fieldhouse will be flashing video
images of the resident athletes on a large screen for
all to enjoy.
"Our participants are very excited about their
upcoming involvement, and are looking forward to meeting
new people and enjoying some friendly competition,"
said Terrence Sullivan, executive director for the Illinois
Council on Long Term Care. "The Heritage Games
will provide a wonderful forum for showcasing these
residents' talents, enthusiasm, and zest for life."
The Illinois Council on Long Term Care is a professional
association of more than 210 nursing facilities committed
to quality residential health care in Illinois through
a productive and responsible partnership between the
private and public sectors. The Council represents more
than 26,000 nursing home professionals serving more
than 38,000 residents.
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