‘Olympic Games’ prove to be excellent tool for engaging residents in programming

Waterloo Heights saw programming attendance ‘quadruple’ during two-week competition between residents
8/29/2016  - Deron Hamel
Waterloo Heights are seen here during a two-week competition at the home to encourage programming participation.  

Waterloo Heights found an innovative way to both celebrate the 2016 Olympic Games and attract more people to programming.

Throughout the duration of the Summer Games, which ran Aug. 5-21, residents from the Waterloo retirement community were divided into two teams – a blue team, called the Blue Jays and a green team, called the Green Hornets.

The blue and green teams were captained by residents John Mitchell and Jack Doherty, respectively. The captains were charged with cheering their teams on and encouraging their teammates to attend programming.

Residents, who wore clothing matching their team’s colour, were tasked to gain points by attending activities and exercise programs. Maia Hillen, Waterloo Heights’ activity and marketing director, says she created the program to not only encourage residents to participate in activities, but also to interest people in programs they might not have tried before.

The idea worked. During the two weeks the event was held there was a large spike in programming attendance, Hillen says.

“I would say attendance quadrupled – it was amazing how many people came down to support their team in this fun, competitive spirit that was everywhere,” Hillen tells S&R Today.

Hillen kept track of which residents attended programming by giving them “passports” which had the month’s activities listed. When residents came to programming, the passports were signed by the staff member leading the activity.

Hillen says one of her favourite moments during the competition was when teams got points for attending Waterloo Heights’ happy hour – many residents were happy to get points for their team by having a beer or a glass of wine, she says.

“And their team got extra points if a resident went up to the microphone and sang a song or told a joke,” Hillen says, noting many residents obliged.

Members from the green team got up and sang a song. The blue team, not wanting to be outdone, responded by coming up and singing as well.

“I was in stitches; it was just hilarious and it was a very smart way to get points for each team,” Hillen said.

When the points were tallied, the blue team narrowly won the competition, but Hillen says the strong participation from residents made both teams winners.

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