Every two years, the world gathers to chase medals. Records are broken. Flags are raised. Anthems echo.
At Edgewood Virginia, they decided to do the same. Just with marshmallows and less dramatic falls.
This last week, Edgewood Virginia community hosted an Olympic Week inspired by the Winter Games, using creative “Minute to Win It” challenges. Every event was timed for two minutes. Two minutes of focus. Two minutes of teamwork. Two minutes of laughter that echoed down the hallways like stadium cheers.
Because here, the podium looks a little different. It looks like connection.
At Edgewood Virginia, our “arena” looked a little different, but the spirit was just as fierce. Kelly Sandstrom, our Wellness & Enrichment Director, encouraged residents to test their precision, balance, and brainpower in a week of Winter Olympic inspired fun.
From Zamboni Driver, where residents lifted ice cubes with chopsticks like rink pros in training, to Mountain Groomer, mastering balance by carefully ferrying cotton balls across the “slopes” one spoonful at a time, each event brought its own unique challenge and plenty of laughs. Ski Jump Tester was part skill, part luck, part geometry, as ping pong balls soared toward solo cups with hopeful bounces and crowd worthy cheers. One of the favorites, Rope Tow Engineer, turned neighbors into teammates as they slid candy canes back and forth using fishing line, relying on coordination and trust that would make any Olympic doubles team proud.
These games did more than entertain.
They:
On the final day, scores were tallied and gold medal champions were crowned.
What made this week shine wasn’t the score. It was the smiles.
Residents shared how fun and delightfully silly this week is, and how it brings everyone together with excitement and anticipation. Rita says, “I love the Olympic games, they are silly, but a lot of fun, and they get me out of my room!”
Here, courage looks like trying chopsticks for the first time.
Victory looks like stepping outside your comfort zone.
Team spirit looks like laughing with your neighbor over a runaway cotton ball.
Jeff insists “Silly IS fun!” and he is right. At Edgewood Virginia, we believe the golden years are not about slowing down, but about:
The Olympics aren’t just about the athletes on the podium. They’re about the coaches, trainers, nurses, caregivers, families, and friends standing behind them.
Nurses. Caregivers. Families. Friends. This is the real team – the one that earns the gold!
If you’re looking for ways to share your spirit of fun or competitiveness, check out senior livings options with Edgewood Healthcare or reach out to us at info@edgewoodhealthcare.com.
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