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Monday, April 7, 2008 9:34 AM EDT
Video game allows seniors to play and get a little workout
By KATE DAY SAGER
Olean Times Herald
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| KATE DAY SAGER/Olean Times Herald
Marge Adams tries for a strike while bowling on the new Nintendo Wii video game console recently at the Smethport Senior Center.
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SMETHPORT, Pa. - Members of the Smethport Senior Center have been bowling, golfing and even boxing thanks to a new video game that gives them quality exercise mixed with the fun of playing games.
The center recently received a Nintendo Wii video game console through a cooperative effort with the Office of Human Services, Area Agency on Aging.
Jill Simms Yingling, director of the center, said the game was made available to the center after four members of the center attended a Wii presentation at the Bradford Senior Center.
Ms. Simms Yingling said the game uses a wireless handheld remote control, called a nunchuck, to send infrared signals that control the movement of a bowling ball, baseball or boxing gloves on a television screen. The game also has tennis and baseball. She said the game has therapeutic value for seniors as it requires hand-eye coordination and a number of movements.
For seniors like Phyllis Russell, the game not only provides an activity for her at the center, it also allows her to participate in bowling - which she hasn't done for years.
"I had rotator cuff surgery and I couldn't bowl anymore, but with this it's just like real bowling," Ms. Russell said.
Others at the center said bowling is their favorite Wii sport and they hope to get teams together to bowl against other senior centers.
Marge Adams was the first to demonstrate the game, and was hitting a few strikes and spares with her accurate "throws" of the bowling ball.
"Ohhhh, she got a spare," the group yelled in unison as Ms. Adams picked up the remaining pins on the screen.
Barb Ness, president of the senior center, said the game was an instant hit with the members as soon as it was installed.
Ms. Ness said she enjoyed the boxing matches and sparring with a partner on the screen.
"Boxing is the most physical one, I did it once ... when you box you put your hands up in front of your face and you jab just like this," she said in demonstrating the moves.
"I about died before I knocked that guy out," she added while bringing a laugh from her friends.
Another senior, Betty Johnson, said her daughter has offered to buy more games for the Wii machine. Ms. Johnson, who had worked for the Olean Times Herald years ago, said she also enjoyed the exercise the game provides.
She and the others said they are hopeful of getting a large-screen television someday to make it easier to see and play the games.
Across the state line in New York, Terry Ellman, supervisor of the Linwood Center Adult Day Care Center in Allegany said officials at the center know of the benefits of Wii.
"We have heard about the therapeutic values of the game and would love to have someone donate one," Ms. Ellman said. "We have a full activity program at the center and do exercises everyday but it (Wii) would certainly add to the quality of the seniors' lives ... we have ladies who really love to golf, so it would be nice."
She noted that the program, which is part of the Cattaraugus County Department of Aging, is located in the former Allegany High School on North Fourth Street. The facility can be reached by calling 372-8287.
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