Thornhill Manor kicks off the year with games
Hand-eye co-ordination is essential for independence because it relies on the information your eyes take in and how your brain directs your arms and hands.
The Happy Chatters group from the Thornhill Manor Retirement Village started the new year with a day of fun, games and camaraderie.
Karen Griesel, Thornhill Manor’s social worker, explained that as people get older, their hand-eye co-ordination often decreases.
“Reflexes, speed and accuracy tend to decline, possibly due to vision changes, health issues or shifts in brain wiring,” she said.
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But while the Happy Chatters enjoyed their games and shared plenty of laughs, these activities served the deeper purpose of helping maintain vital skills for daily living.
“Hand-eye co-ordination is essential for independence because it relies on the information your eyes take in and how your brain directs your arms and hands,” Griesel said.
Residents participated in games like floor darts, bowling and shuttlecock toss, all involving catching and throwing exercises that strengthen reactive balance.
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“Reactive balance is the ability to maintain stability when faced with unexpected challenges. It is key. It allows us to counteract external forces that could throw us off balance,” said Griesel.
She said timely balance reactions, such as reactive stepping, are critical for preventing falls.
“These reactions are vital for maintaining stability and avoiding injuries.”
