MHCA District IV 25th Golden Age Games announced for long-term care residents

Events
• 16 October 2025

The Missouri Health Care Association District IV Golden Age Games are back for their 25th year after a five-year pause that began in 2020 due to COVID-19.

The Games bring together residents from 25 long-term care and assisted living facilities across southwest Missouri for two days of fun, friendly competition and community spirit.

Events take place Friday, Oct. 17, at the Meyer Wellness Center at Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, and Friday, Oct. 24, at the Pat Jones YMCA in Springfield. Both days of competition run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Golden Age Games give seniors in long-term care and assisted living a chance to enjoy a day out, socialize with others their age and take part in entertaining events such as hog calling, cow milking, horseshoes, basketball toss, soccer kick, bingo, quiz bowl and wheelchair races.

A craft contest for residents also features categories such as embroidery, yarn, woodworking and an overall facility project. Each facility and its residents have the opportunity to win first through fifth place in each competition. The most sought-after awards are the high team score and spirit awards.

Participating facilities in the Bolivar games include:

Ash Grove Healthcare Facility in Ash Grove; Butterfield Residential Care Center, Citizens Memorial Healthcare Facility and Parkview Health Care Facility in Bolivar; Colonial Springs Healthcare Center in Buffalo; Community Springs Healthcare Facility in El Dorado Springs; Lake Stockton Healthcare Facility in Stockton; Maranatha Village in Springfield; Medicalodges in Neosho; and Northwood Hills Care Center in Humansville.

Participating facilities in the Springfield games include:

Autumn Oaks Caring Center in Mountain Grove; Birchpointe Health & Rehabilitation, James River Nursing and Rehabilitation, Springfield Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Spring Valley Nursing Home and The Manor at Elfindale in Springfield; Brooke Haven Healthcare in West Plains; Lacoba Homes Inc. in Monett; Lawrence County Manor and Mount Vernon Veterans Home in Mount Vernon; Licking Residential Care in Licking; Roaring River Health and Rehabilitation in Cassville; Shady Oaks Healthcare Center in Thayer; Westgate at Wildwood Ranch in Joplin; and Willow Care Nursing Home in Willow Springs.

For more information about the MHCA Golden Age Games, contact Roy Pace, member of the MHCA Board of Directors and MHCA District IV Golden Age Games coordinator, at 417-345-2228 or roy.pace@citizensmemorial.com. Pace is also the administrator of Colonial Springs Healthcare Center in Buffalo.