There’s a reason Nintendo Wii Sports sells in the millions worldwide. It attracts many age groups in lively sports activities and encourages intergenerational participation. Recently, however, Wii Sports has become a fun technology prescription for senior veterans to improve their health. Physical therapists all over America are recommending these games that use the Wii remote to mimic actions of real life sports. The “Pentagon Channel Report” informs that senior veterans have become enthusiastic fans.
Wii technology fans at Veterans Hospital in Washington, DC have made bowling, tennis, and boxing their favorites of the five Wii game simulations. The other two are golf and baseball. All the games are played with simplified rules. Wheelchair veterans say playing increases their heart rates. Therapists find that patients arrive on time more when the games are their designated activities. Gaming is serious business for these veterans. And improved health is always a winner.
This video shows older veterans demonstrating that they’ve still got game.
Frances Shani Parker, Author
"Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes”
“Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog”
Showing posts with label Physical Therapy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Physical Therapy. Show all posts
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Wii Rehab in Nursing Homes: Physical Therapy Technology for Seniors (Audio: 3:32 mins.)
The popularity of Nintendo Wii games continues to grow in senior citizen communities. Some physical therapists have finally decided to ride that winning Wii horse, too. Wii is being used to help patients recovering from stroke or closed-head injuries. Patients can have energetic fun while going through the motions of actually playing a variety of sports that will help them heal.
At Stratford Village in Midland, MI, residents with wheelchairs and walkers can participate in various Wii challenges. The handheld “Wii-mote” is used to simulate body movements of actual sports. One 87 year old, who was working on her upper body strength, beat her own son after three rounds in a virtual boxing ring. When no human partners are around, residents can play Wii by competing against the computer.
Where is all this enthusiasm for Wii going? Nobody knows. The American Physical Therapy Association wants more research to prove just how effective Wii really is for rehab purposes. In the meantime, you can listen to an audio NPR.org. account of how therapists look to Wii games for rehab benefits. At last, couch potatoes can show how athletic they really are.
Frances Shani Parker, Author
"Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes”
“Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog”
At Stratford Village in Midland, MI, residents with wheelchairs and walkers can participate in various Wii challenges. The handheld “Wii-mote” is used to simulate body movements of actual sports. One 87 year old, who was working on her upper body strength, beat her own son after three rounds in a virtual boxing ring. When no human partners are around, residents can play Wii by competing against the computer.
Where is all this enthusiasm for Wii going? Nobody knows. The American Physical Therapy Association wants more research to prove just how effective Wii really is for rehab purposes. In the meantime, you can listen to an audio NPR.org. account of how therapists look to Wii games for rehab benefits. At last, couch potatoes can show how athletic they really are.
Frances Shani Parker, Author
"Becoming Dead Right: A Hospice Volunteer in Urban Nursing Homes”
“Hospice and Nursing Homes Blog”
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