History
In 1982, activity directors from CASACA created the Capital Area Nursing Home Games. For the first two years the Games were held outside at the County Fair and Rodeo. Originally a fall event, a 1989 hurricane prompted activity professionals to move the Games to the spring… and indoors. St. Edwards provided the gymnasium and volunteer support from 1984 until 2005, when the event moved to Bowie High School. We quickly outgrew that location and now call the University of Texas Recreational Sports Center our home.
As the event expanded to encompass assisted-living facilities, the event became the Games for Life. Nursing homes and assisted-living facilities from Central Texas (including Georgetown, Lockhart, Taylor, Giddings, and New Braunfels) travel to this Austin event. The Games provide facility residents a friendly and competitive environment in which to participate in sporting activities. The event also encourages community involvement and promotes awareness of the importance of life-enriching activities in long-term care.
Historically, 200-250 competitors took part in the games annually. In 2009, however, over 400 participants competed, three of them over 100 years of age. That number looks to be even higher in 2010. Events include assisted and unassisted racing, wheelchair racing, shot-put, discus, balloon volleyball, dominos/42, arts and crafts, and a spelling competition. In the arts and crafts section, participants enter projects completed at their facilities during the previous year. Other awards given at the Games include best T-shirt design, banner competition, Spirit award, and Grand Champion trophy.
We at the Games for Life encourage everyone to live life to the fullest, learn from each generation, and respect each other as we create memories together .
