(161)PROMOTING INTERNATIONAL UNDERSTANDING, WELLNESS,AND ACTIVE LIVING THROUGH INTERNATIONAL GERI OLYMPICSAND INTERGERATIONAL PROGRAMMING

摘要

The International Geri Olympics is a product of a Memo of Understanding betweenCharles University in the Czech Republic and West Virginia State University in the UnitedStates. Geri Olympics programs sponsored by West Virginia State University willcelebrate 23 years of continuous operation in 2010. This MOU will celebrate 10 years ofcooperative efforts in 2010 in addition to exchanges of faculty, students and civic leaders,several research projects have and projects have been developed. One of these projectshas involved Geri Olympics. Charles University representatives have visited andparticipated in West Virginia Geri Olympics returning to Prague to develop a similarprogram. . The International Geri Olympics has been held for 5 years and in October of2008 the first American team came to Prague to compete in the sporting events. GeriOlympics is a competitive event for Nursing Home resident athletes. Nursing homes areoften thought of as places where older folks go to die. The Geri Olympics model used byboth Universities and their community support networks uses competitive events topromote wellness, active living and involvement as indicators of quality of life. Many ofthe resident athletes spend at least 6 months of the year training for the events. They areencouraged by a host of children or youth in their quest for the gold - the kids also learnto respect, honor and cheer for the elder athletes.The Geri Olympics programs are products of the two respective universities who have asa part of their mission "taking the university to the community." Advocacy, improvingcommunity awareness and building bridges to the community or between the nursingcare facility and the community are also important aspects of Geri Olympics. TheUniversities also have built cooperative relationships with non profit agencies orbusinesses that support and promote geri olympics programs.