SINGAPORE: At the age of 82, Madam Teo Beng Eng plays floorball every week – while stationary in a wheelchair.
She gets to enjoy the modified form of the sport at Sunlove Chai Chee Active Ageing Centre.
The game has given her a second life, said the stroke survivor.
“We really need this kind of exercise. If not, my body would be very stiff. I also learn new activities. Being here with everyone, I feel much happier,” Mdm Teo told CNA.
The centre first introduced the activity to seniors this July using a toolkit developed by the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) and Sport Singapore.
It includes step-by-step instructions on how to modify 14 sports for seniors. Other activities include basketball, badminton and sport stacking, which involves stacking cups.
The activities are divided into three categories to suit the different cognitive and physical abilities of seniors.
Sunlove said since it began offering floorball, interest in the sport has gone up twofold.
There are several benefits the participants get from playing, said assistant centre manager Benjamin Cheng, including exercising and making friends.
“They’re able to strategise and play the game. And by participating … they boost their morale, they’re feeling that they are much better as a person. So they look forward to coming every time,” he added.