By ALANAH MAY ERIKSEN
Rotorua could have been mistaken for a western movie as senior citizens competed against each other dressed as cowboys and cowgirls.
The 2007 Rotorua Rest Home Games were held yesterday at Rotorua's Soundshell and about 40 competitors from Fergusson Home, Cantabria, Lara Lodge, Whare
Aroha Home and Hospital and Redwood Lodge participated.
The theme was Wild West and people wearing checked shirts and cowboy hats strutted their stuff. Some teams even had themed names like the Banty Riders and Redwood Ranch.
Stroke victims, people with dementia, Parkinsons and people confined to wheelchairs didn't let that stop them from having fun.
Margaret Turner, from Lara Lodge, had American Indian feathers on her head to get into the mood.
The 85-year-old has been to the games three years in a row.
"I like them, they are exciting. The spirit is just wonderful."
Competitors played sitting-down games such as noodle wars, where they had to hit a ball into a goal with a swimming noodle; calf roping, which involved seeing who could wind up a toy cow the fastest; volleyball and a game where participants had to throw hacky sacks into a hoola hoop.
The games were organised by Sport Bay of Plenty administration assistant Jessica Meade.
"It is inspiring to see older adults living more active lifestyles than their much younger counterparts.
"It goes to show that in being active age is no barrier."
She said rest home residents aged from about 50 to 90 attended.
Whare Aroha's Janie Douglas said the games were good therapy for stroke victims.
"And just to see the look on their faces - it just really gives them joy. It's enlivening."
Prizes at the end went to best dressed team, most social team, most enthusiastic team and hardest working team.
