Ons Huis residents celebrate the Olympic spirit

Exercise is a well-known improver of mental, physical and emotional well-being. It helps prevent disease, strengthens social ties and improves cognitive function in young and old alike. Shrugging off any assumptions of sluggish performance, the staff and residents of Residentia Ons Huis put together a multi-day activity package to celebrate the Olympic spirit.

“All of us have read somewhere that physical activity and exercise are good for your mental abilities as well as for your general health. After 18 months of Covid lockdown regulations preventing all of us to move and exercise as usual, I decided that we needed something new at Residentia Ons Huis. Something that has the potential to bring back some excitement and fun to our residents,” said Ons Huis social worker, Daleen Boshoff.

Competing for chocolates and sweets instead of gold medals, residents began the seven days of fun with nerf gun target shooting. Day two was the age old classic of ‘Keeping the balloon off the floor’ while day three tested vision and accuracy with a game of ‘cornhole’. Rekindling the joys of youth, a paper plane competition was held on day four, as Daleen explained, “Each resident had to fold his or her own paper plane with which he or she would compete. Various distances were marked off the playing field so that it was easy to see whose plane flew the furthest.”

Now into the business end of the games, Boccia, a type of indoor bowls, and ten-pin bowling would be the main events on days five and six. The week’s closing ceremony would be physical exercises with PHD for JESUS. “Ons Huis is very fortunate to have committed people who come every Friday to do well-developed mind and body exercise routine with our residents,” elaborated Daleen.

In total, 20 residents aged between 60 and 98 took part, a far greater age differential than those on show in Tokyo last month. Delighted with the aging athletes’ enthusiasm, Daleen said, “Some of the residents were sitting and waiting long before the games were supposed to start. They enjoyed the camaraderie, the socialising, the competition as well as the support they felt from their fellow participants. The chatter, laughter and talking went on long after the games had stopped.”