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Seniors at Parkway Place Ring in the New Year by Encouraging Others to Use Technology to Get in Shape
You may not expect seniors in their 80s and 90s to bowl competitively and win, but that is exactly what is happening at Parkway Place, a senior living community in Houston. Instead of tossing around 10 pound balls, the senior athletes stay in shape by picking up wireless Wii remotes and hitting strikes during games of Wii bowling. The 5 teams have won 6 trophies, and now they are gearing up to compete against other senior living communities in the regional National Senior League competition. One of the star players is Aaron Mendoza, 88-year-old Parkway Place resident, who hit a nearly perfect score of 299 during a recent national competition.
“Wii bowling is a fantastic way to stay in shape. The sport is quite a workout when you play a few games in row. It also helps me maintain balance which can prevent falls, and it keeps me mentally alert,” said Mendoza. “The competition gives me something to work toward, and I really take pride in my bowling! It is a new year, and it is time for
everyone to start thinking about fitness.”
The seniors recommend Wii Bowling to people of all ages. At Parkway Place, they follow a schedule and practice religiously. The community started with a few teams, and it has grown to about 40 participants during the competitions. The regional competition starts in February and the national championship kicks off in August. The seniors at Parkway Place are practicing daily, and they plan to do well in both competitions.
“We have an inspirational group of seniors who are passionate about bowling,” said Rhonda Duncan, life enrichment director for Parkway Place. “Everyone is looking for the fountain of youth or a way to feel young, and Parkway Place residents have discovered bowling helps them feel fit mentally and physically. Their dedication is contagious, and as we enter a new year, the residents hope to inspire others to get in shape.”
Duncan also holds a special awards ceremony for the Wii players where she recognizes them for their accomplishments. The event helps boost their confidence and it gives some seniors bragging rights.
ABOUT PARKWAY PLACE
Parkway Place in Houston, a Buckner Retirement Services community, is a non-profit, faith-based senior living community located on a 15-acre well-manicured campus that includes flowers, walking paths, gazebos, benches and raised gardens, putting green, with an outdoor, heated pool and spas. It is also one of the few Independent Living communities in West Houston that has no entrance fees, no long-term contracts and provides spacious apartment residences on a rental basis.
As a continuing care community, Parkway Place offers Independent Living apartment residences, spacious Assisted Living, innovative Memory Care and Skilled Nursing services. The community offers 159 independent apartments, 58 assisted living apartments, 24 memory care support residences and skilled nursing for 60 residents. A new Wellness Center has been added that features state-of-the-art equipment and a Health Ability Program to enhance the eight dimensions of wellness
Residents can enjoy delicious dining and warm fellowship in beautifully arranged dining rooms. The community also has an on-site life enrichment coordinator, chapel, full-time chaplain, on-site worship services, beauty/barber salon and weekly housekeeping/linen service. For more information about Parkway Place, please visit the community website at www.bucknerparkwayplace.org or call Susan Coborn at (281) 677–5912.
ABOUT BUCKNER RETIREMENT SERVICES
Buckner Retirement Services, Inc. is one of the largest not-for-profit senior living organizations in Texas dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for senior adults and their families by promoting an active, healthy Christian lifestyle while maintaining their independence and dignity. Buckner Retirement Services is part of Buckner International, a global faith-based ministry serving more than 450,000 people each year in the United States and 18 countries worldwide.
“Wii bowling is a fantastic way to stay in shape. The sport is quite a workout when you play a few games in row. It also helps me maintain balance which can prevent falls, and it keeps me mentally alert,” said Mendoza. “The competition gives me something to work toward, and I really take pride in my bowling! It is a new year, and it is time for
everyone to start thinking about fitness.”
The seniors recommend Wii Bowling to people of all ages. At Parkway Place, they follow a schedule and practice religiously. The community started with a few teams, and it has grown to about 40 participants during the competitions. The regional competition starts in February and the national championship kicks off in August. The seniors at Parkway Place are practicing daily, and they plan to do well in both competitions.
“We have an inspirational group of seniors who are passionate about bowling,” said Rhonda Duncan, life enrichment director for Parkway Place. “Everyone is looking for the fountain of youth or a way to feel young, and Parkway Place residents have discovered bowling helps them feel fit mentally and physically. Their dedication is contagious, and as we enter a new year, the residents hope to inspire others to get in shape.”
Duncan also holds a special awards ceremony for the Wii players where she recognizes them for their accomplishments. The event helps boost their confidence and it gives some seniors bragging rights.
ABOUT PARKWAY PLACE
Parkway Place in Houston, a Buckner Retirement Services community, is a non-profit, faith-based senior living community located on a 15-acre well-manicured campus that includes flowers, walking paths, gazebos, benches and raised gardens, putting green, with an outdoor, heated pool and spas. It is also one of the few Independent Living communities in West Houston that has no entrance fees, no long-term contracts and provides spacious apartment residences on a rental basis.
As a continuing care community, Parkway Place offers Independent Living apartment residences, spacious Assisted Living, innovative Memory Care and Skilled Nursing services. The community offers 159 independent apartments, 58 assisted living apartments, 24 memory care support residences and skilled nursing for 60 residents. A new Wellness Center has been added that features state-of-the-art equipment and a Health Ability Program to enhance the eight dimensions of wellness
Residents can enjoy delicious dining and warm fellowship in beautifully arranged dining rooms. The community also has an on-site life enrichment coordinator, chapel, full-time chaplain, on-site worship services, beauty/barber salon and weekly housekeeping/linen service. For more information about Parkway Place, please visit the community website at www.bucknerparkwayplace.org or call Susan Coborn at (281) 677–5912.
ABOUT BUCKNER RETIREMENT SERVICES
Buckner Retirement Services, Inc. is one of the largest not-for-profit senior living organizations in Texas dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for senior adults and their families by promoting an active, healthy Christian lifestyle while maintaining their independence and dignity. Buckner Retirement Services is part of Buckner International, a global faith-based ministry serving more than 450,000 people each year in the United States and 18 countries worldwide.
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