When you think of the Olympic games, it probably brings up thoughts about young athletes in the prime of their physical fitness. It’s exciting to watch competitors break world records and

win gold medals! But did you know there’s even more to see and support in the “Olympics” world?

While the main Olympic events are the highlighted conversation in the news headlines, other Olympic events cater to different demographics, such as the Paralympics for athletes with disabilities, Special Olympics for children and adults with intellectual and physical disabilities, and Senior Olympic games for people over the age of 50.

The Senior Olympics 2022 are coming up from May 10-23, and will be hosted in Fort Lauderdale, FL. The competitions are not only fun, but they promote healthy living and activities for seniors. Senior Olympics events also inspire many seniors by showing them many different activities they can participate in independently or with friends that will promote a healthy lifestyle no matter their age.

These senior activities show that active, involved seniors have no limits. The modern view of aging removes the boxes around expectations in the golden years of life. People can maintain a thriving lifestyle for much longer than expected by incorporating different senior activities into their daily lives. Furthermore, the Senior Olympics events demonstrate that the competitive spirit we carry never fades with age, and that spirit of competition keeps us sharp and healthy throughout our lives.

Interesting Information About Senior Olympics Events

You aren’t familiar with the Senior Olympics events? Here are some facts to familiarize you to Senior Olympic events:

Senior Olympics Age Requirements

This event is open for adults over the age of 50+, with age groups spaced by five-year intervals. Athletes must be at least 50 years old by December 31, 2021, to qualify to participate in the Senior Olympics 2022 games. Anyone over 50 who wants to participate can try to be eligible for the nationwide event.

How Do You Qualify for the Senior Olympics?

In addition to age requirements, athletes who want to participate in senior citizen Olympics must qualify as a top athlete in their age group at an National Senior Games Association (NSGA) sanctioned senior games event. In most Senior Olympics sports, athletes must pace in the top four of their age group.

What Sports are in the Senior Olympics? Senior Olympic events offer a range of options for seniors to participate, and Senior Olympics sports include:

  • Archery
  • Badminton
  • Cycling
  • Golf
  • Pickleball
  • Basketball
  • Bowling
  • Cornhole
  • Power Walk
  • Race Walk
  • Racquetball
  • Swimming
  • Table Tennis
  • Tennis
  • Road Race
  • Shuffleboard
  • Soccer
  • Track & Field
  • Triathlon
  • Volleyball

History of the Senior Olympics In 1985, a group of seven people formed a non-profit organization in St. Louis, MO: the National Senior Olympics Organization (NSOO). The vision was to support activities for seniors through fitness, education, and sport.

Senior Olympics is the original name for these events, but the official name is now National Senior Games. This change occurred because of an objection from the United States Olympic Committee to use the word “Olympics” in the name. Even though the official Senior Olympics games are only held in the United States, these games are known as the biggest multi-sport event worldwide for seniors.

Senior Olympics Records

Each year, new Senior Olympics records are broken by athletes in these Senior Olympics games. The results for Senior Olympics track and field records and more are updated on the NSGA official website. With athletes like Julia “Hurricane” Hawkins setting Senior Olympics records in Senior Olympics track and field at 105 years old, senior activities take on a new meaning when put in the lens of Senior Olympics!

Promoting Healthy Activities for Assisted Living

Physical fitness is a critical factor for aging adults to maintain a thriving lifestyle. Watching Senior Olympics is a great way to spawn new competitors, as well as spawning casual participation in assisted living activities ideas. Staying active as we age is important, and knowing that other seniors are out competing in the Senior Olympics can inspire fellow seniors to prioritize fitness into their routines.

Training for Senior Olympics events provides health-promoting activities, such as balance exercises for seniors. Even low-impact events such as table tennis and cornhole accommodate walkers for seniors. These activities for assisted living also promote teamwork, and encourage seniors to hold each other accountable as they train for Senior Olympics games. Even if they have no plans for competing in Senior Olympics games, friendly competition among friends can help all involved increase their activity levels and help to maintain a healthy active lifestyle, no matter their age.

Residents in independent living for seniors are inspired by these Olympics events and are taking part in active activities for assisted living. Tribute at Black Hill, in Germantown, Maryland (Montgomery County), has several active seniors participating in ax throwing, duckpin bowling, and even a kickboxing class! Residents consider themselves athletes, feeling that this term can be used for athletes of any age, skill or ability level. To them, it’s a celebration to participate in these events at any age!

For some, staying active doesn’t mean participating in Senior Olympics games recognized by NSGA. Instead, they’re staying active through hobbies cultivated over a lifetime and made possible by assisted living activities ideas in their own community. Margarethe Pennington, a 92-year-old resident of Tribute at Black Hill, is a gardener. Margarethe had her own vegetable garden at home for most of her life. She loves helping keep the community garden healthy during the appropriate seasons, as well as helping grow seedlings to plant in the spring. Gardening is her favorite way to spend her time and keep active.

Activities for Assisted Living with Cadence Living

At Cadence Living, we are proactive about incorporating senior activities into the daily routine. We support the health and wellness of our residents and their families by facilitating activities like gardening, ax throwing, bowling, and more. You’re invited to learn about available services, including independent living, assisted living, Cadence CONNECTIONS care, memory care, and more. We offer a full-service approach that includes both social and physical activities to help our residents enjoy thriving lifestyles. Call today to schedule a tour in one of our modern aging communities and talk to one of our caregiving experts.