(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A plastic torch was passed around Friday, with seniors waving flags from different countries, as Belmont Village Senior Living kicked off Olympic Week.
"Welcome to the 4th annual Belmont Village Olympics," chanted Jim Faust, activity program coordinator at the Glenview facility. "Our Olympic games have officially begun."
The week-long event is something residents look forward to every Olympic cycle, he said.
"We split our residents into teams, we have competitive games and prizes, and it's a lot of fun and it gets our residents out of their rooms and engaged,” he said.
Over the course of the week, residents can participate in archery, curling, golfing, weightlifting and trivia.
"We do archery and curling, so we have a big table top curling game. Especially our Parkinsons' residents, it's great for them to use their fine motor skills and practice with that.”
The teams are split into three teams. Each team, whether they participate in the activity or not, gets points. Residents can still contribute by cheerleading.
"The residents love this. Our participation has increased because of how competitive our residents are. Everyone looks at the scoreboard. The team with the most points in the end wins a catered lunch from a local restaurant,” Faust said.
Terri Jacobs has lived at Belmont Village for two months.
"This is great,” she said. “Looking at four walls gets a little blah. I'm just now getting out of my room and getting out of the world and Jim has made a much bigger world for all of us seniors.”
Jacobs has a son who participates in the Paralympics.
"He bowls, and plays floor hockey but he competes in the Bocci Ball. He was disappointed when they were cancelled last year. He won a Gold Medal for Bocci Ball. He can't wait to get back at it,” she said.
The local "Journey to Tokyo '' kicked off with an all day bike-a-thon that raised more than $600 for the Special olympics.
There are 120 residents living at the Glenview facility.
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