The role of Wii in retirement communities

Imagine going to visit your grandparents in their retirement community and finding them not in their room, the dining hall, or the garden area, but in the entertainment den playing video games! This scene isn’t far out of the realm of

possibility as Wii continues its marketing campaign to include everyone under the sun.

Recently, more and more health professionals have been touting the benefits of using Wii for fitness. Critics of the new philosophy don’t seem to understand how playing video games can possibly increase one’s activity. They obviously haven’t seen the Wii in action!

About this time last year, the Chicago Tribune did an article featuring a retirement home that hosted its first Wii Sports bowling tournament. When 20 people came out to attend the tournament that was hosted by the home, heated Wii competitions ensued. Grandparents took the time to teach their grandkids to play and everyone had a good time. This is part of why the Wii is getting so much coverage; it’s much more than just another gaming device.

In the Wii Sports pack, bowling is recreated by holding the wiimote in one hand, swinging it backwards (as you would a real ball,) swinging it forward, and releasing the “ball” by pulling on the trigger finger. The points are scored automatically right there on the screen as you play. The game is for individuals or teams and promotes very friendly competition as the characters and text on screen let you know when you’ve made a strike, spare, or other challenging shot. The elderly enjoy playing because they can still be active with the Wii while not taxing muscles and bones too much. The younger folks love, of course, to enjoy video games with their family. Executives at Nintendo love that everyone is involved and playing more games. It’s a win-win-win situation!

The trend towards using the Wii for fitness doesn’t start and end with the aged, but they are definitely a booming demographic that few expected. One thing’s for sure, with brain training games and games that can be played even with limited mobility, teens are not the only group interested in being entertained by the Wii. As one internet article put it so eloquently Wii + retirement just might equal Wiitirement!

Hi folks,

Apologies on the delay in posting.  My “day job” has me traveling non stop so haven’t had the time to do much else.  Anyway just got told from the family that my WiiFit has arrived from our store and awaiting gameplay.   Very excited.

Stay tuned for more posts.   Hopefully we will have more WiiFit boards in stock soon.

Folks over at IGN posted the new US Wii Fit “demo” video.  BUY the Wii Fit today (presale) before they sell out !