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maltatoday, SUNDAY, 24 APRIL 2016 II Health & Care Casa Antonia residents roll back the years for Sports Day IT was egg and spoons at the ready for the Casa Antonia home residents who relived their school years during the annual Sports Day. From relay racing and bin ball, to basketball throw and volleyball, residents living at Casa Antonia Nursing and Residential Home in Balzan did it all. The teams at Bank of Valletta Balluta and St Julian's, along with their family members and friends spent the day with the residents of Casa Antonia, flank- ing the residents and their carers throughout the activities. Coinciding with the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace, the energy-filled day forms part of Casa Antonia's ongoing initiative to promote ac- tive, healthy ageing amongst its residents. The fitness fun event proved to be a great success amongst the residents who were divided into four teams each and included a relative, a volunteer from Bank of Valletta and a staff member from Casa Antonia. Claire Busuttil, Activity Coor- dinator at Casa Antonia, said: "These social activities are a great way of keeping older peo- ple active and we have witnessed first hand how our residents enjoy these types of events." No sporting event is complete without an awards ceremony, and true to form the care home presented a medal to every winner, while the overall winning team snagged a celebratory trophy. Refreshments and light snack were served to all the participants and spectators who had gathered to see their loved ones in action. Further information about Casa Antonia Nursing and Residential Home can be obtained by calling telephone no (+356) 2149 6277, email info@casa-antonia.com.mt, or by visiting the website: www. casa-antonia.com.mt Nursery homes on the silver screen Casa Antonia home residents enjoying themselves during the activity ALTHOUGH they often run the risk of falling into the trap of schmaltz and sentimentality, films set in the nursery home can potentially do their bit to raise both awareness and the profile of the elderly in society – humanising them and lending dignity to their strug- gles. Here's a list of some worthwhile explorations of the subject: both in fic- tion films and documentaries. Alive Inside (2014) This documentary shows people with dementia responding well to music. While some are still living at home with family members, many are living in nursing homes. Dan Cohen works with staff to help residents receive playlists on an MP3 as a way to connect them to the world. Before You Know It (2013) Three older gay men discuss their age-based challenges. One participant in the documentary, Dennis, travels out of state to live in a retirement commu- nity for gay men where he can more freely express his sexual orientation and participate in cross dressing. Quartet (2012) Maggie Smith plays a mature opera singer newly arrived at a retirement home for musicians. Her arrival causes both excitement and consternation for those who have been in opera produc- tions and romantic relationships with her decades prior. Wrinkles (2012) Martin Sheen voices the character Emilio, who is struggling to adjust to his advancing Alzheimer's after moving into a multi-level care facility. He and the other residents face a host of chal- lenges, chief among them, maintaining their autonomy. George Coe voices Miguel, who shows Emilio a variety of ways to buck the system. All Together (2011) This is a French-language film, but it stars two American film veterans, Jane Fonda and Geraldine Chaplin. These characters – along with their husbands and a confirmed-bachelor friend – de- cide to live communally in an effort to help each other with some age-related challenges. They hit a few road bumps along the way. Play the Game (2008) Andy Griffin plays a widow who is try- ing to adjust to life in a retirement com- munity. His grandson gives him tips on how to flirt with the mature women who are his neighbors there. Reach for Me (2008) An older man has a very cranky outlook on being a resident of a nurs- ing home. Some of the staff, his young adult roommate and an attractive new resident wield some influence over him. Directed by LaVar Burton. Is Anybody There? (2008) Michael Caine stars as a retired ma- gician who strikes up a friendship with a boy whose parents run the rest home where he lives. The Savages (2007) Laura Linney and Philip Seymour Hoffman star as siblings who are work- ing together (and sometimes against each other) to care for their ailing fa- ther. These adult children have spent little time with their father, Lenny Sav- age, over the past two decades until he gets tentative diagnosis of Parkinson's Disease. One of their tasks is to put in a nursing home, which is a decision the daughter particularly isn't ready to make. How About You? (2007) Vanessa Redgrave and a handful of other veteran actors play residents of rest home who find themselves com- ing a bit unstrung when the regular manager leaves her free-spirited sister in charge. Away from Her (2006) Based on a short story by award- winning Canadian author Alice Munroe, this movie (starring Julie Christie, Gor- don Pinset and Olivia Dukakis) depicts the changes that take place when a woman enters a memory care nursing home. Gin Game (2003) Dick Van Dyke and Mary Tyler Moore play residents of an assisted living center. They meet when he asks her to play a game of gin. From there we watch their relationship grow more and more complicated. It plays out a bit like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, except they are not married. The nursing home setting only exerts nominal influ- ence on their characters. Sunset Story (2003) This documentary introduces view- ers to friends octogenarian Isja and nonagenarian Lucille who live in Sun- set Hall, a retirement community for free-thinking older adults. These two friends are sharp, socially engaged and interested in current events. Neverthe- less, they must manage age-related challenges. They do so with energy and positive thinking. Bubba Ho-Tep (2002) Two nursing home residents discover that a mummy is attacking their fellow residents. One resident thinks he's Elvis, and the other thinks he's JFK. This doesn't stop them from becoming late-life heroes. This low-budget com- edy horror film has a lot of crass humor regarding sex and bodily functions, but it has some good in it too. Cocoon (1985) This science-fiction film is set in a retirement home with many older adults playing key roles. Even though the plot is fantastical, the themes deal with ag- ing issues. Cocoon (1985)