MediLodge Group's Nursing Home Residents are "Active for Life"

Even though the forecast called for clouds and rain on Wednesday, September 13, 2006, the sun shone brightly on the Medilodge Group as they hosted their 6th Annual Senior Olympics at the Freedom Hill County Park in Sterling Heights. Sixteen facilities from Hillman to Monroe participated in the event.

Residents with the desire to win the Loving Cup trophy had been participating in Olympic trials all summer in order to make their facility’s team. Over 80 residents competed in 6 different sporting events. Over 200 MediLodge volunteers, family and staff members were on hand to cheer their residents on to victory. The event began with a gathering of all facilities under the Freedom Hill pavilion. Staff decorated their Olympic areas with props, theme music and banners. The Opening Ceremony began at 10:30am when Dee Culp, Director of Operations, introduced all of the Olympians---the oldest participant, 98 year old Lillian Crawford a resident at MediLodge of Richmond, lit the Olympic torch----Colleen Anderson, Activity Director at MediLodge of St Clair, led the group in singing the Star Spangled Banner---Cathie Coleman, Life Enhancement Specialist, then announced it was time to “Let the games begin” and the residents, accompanied by staff and family members, began partaking in the six Olympic events.

When the games were over and while the judges were tallying the scores, the MediLodge dietary managers served up a BBQ lunch consisting of hamburgers, hot dogs, pasta salad, fruit salad, cookies and ice cream novelties. Lunchtime entertainment was provided by Robin Beck.

Frank Wronski, president of MediLodge, kicked off the Closing ceremonies by presenting Dee Culp with a lovely bouquet of roses in honor of her 20 year employment anniversary with MediLodge.

Dee then disclosed the Olympic rankings beginning with the last place winners---Frank and Gail Clarkson, Vice President of MediLodge, distributed Olympic medallions to each facility administrator. The administrators presented each of their Olympians with a medallion complete with red, white and blue ribbon in honor of their individual contribution to the team. This year the winner of the Loving Cup trophy was MediLodge of Royal Oak. Administrator, Michelle Peepers, led the enthusiastic cheers as she was presented with the trophy.

As the residents,with their medallions shining around their necks, were assisted onto their busses and vans, all agreed that a good time was had by all. Some were over heard discussing the Olympic events and giving tips to their team mates on how to train for next years’ event.

Then, as if by design, the clouds gathered and rain drops, that had been predicted to come all day long, began falling. Special thanks to all the MediLodge staff members who worked hard to assure that this Olympics was such a joyfull event for our residents---it is only through their efforts that we can continue to assure that MediLodge is truly a wonderful place for living.

For more information, please contact Cathie Coleman, Life Enhancement Specialist, at the MediLodge Group at (586) 752-5008 (office) or (248) 343-8787 (cell).