Aberdeen’s Golden Games, which is organised by the Active Aberdeen Partnership (AAP), started in 2011 with five activities and 80 participants. Such is the ever growing popularity of the games, by 2018 this ballooned to 89 activities held over ten days with 425 participants.

2019 sees the games enter it’s ninth year with it’s biggest and most diverse programme to date.  

One activity which has been an integral part of the Golden Games since its inception is the Care Home Pentathlon which see’s residents from care homes across Aberdeen come together to compete in a series of five activities in a bid to win trophies and medals.

Hayley Buchan, Wellbeing Coordinator and Dementia Ambassador for the Aberdeen Health & Social Care Partnership said:

“The Care Home Pentathlon is such an important part of the Golden Games. It gives people, who may not be able to take part in the other activities on offer during the festival the chance to be a part of this inclusive event.

“It’s great to see care homes coming back year after year with their residents and staff. They take the games very seriously, but the room is always filled with laughter!

“It’s also great to see that the care homes continue these kinds of activities with their residents throughout the year. For them, this may be a one off event, but they continue to take part in activities in the care home and out in their local community”

Each year, residents take part in a variety of challenges which have included weightlifting, shoot and score and floor basketball.

Organised by Aberdeen Health and Social Care Partnership’s Wellbeing Team and supported by members of care staff and families, the residents take part in activities which are adapted to suit a wide range of abilities. Fun and laughter are plentiful along with a friendly but competitive spirit.

Anna Philip, Activity Coordinator Tor-Na-Dee Care Home has nothing but praise for the event. She said:

“Tor-Na-Dee residents have taken part in the Care Home Pentathlon since the very first event and have loved coming back year after year. it is important for our residents to meet other folk, to go out and experience a different location, they are over the moon with medals which are treasured for months after and the cup provides a focus of pride for the whole home.

“Self esteem and confidence increase and physical activity is shown to be not so hard as anticipated. It’s a high light of the year with everyone in the community, residents, relatives and staff anticipating success.” 

2019’s Golden Games Care Home Pentathlon will take place on Thursday 6 June at Westburn Park.