Seniors at Fulton Manor try their hand at virtual sports

According to Nintendo, they chose the name “Wii” for their popular video game console because it sounds like “we” which emphasizes that the console is for everyone.

Seniors at Holland Home’s Fulton Manor would have to agree. They have taken to the world of virtual sports with a passion thanks to the gift of a Wii system by the youth group of the Woodlawn Christian Reformed Church. “It’s turned out to be way beyond what I’d hoped for,” said Nancy Venema, life enrichment coordinator at Fulton Manor. “It’s great to see the excitement and the cheering. It’s such a positive thing.”

“Boys against the girls,” and “residents against staff,” were suggestions at a recent game session as players cheered each other on. The game has been shown to improve hand-eye coordination, balance and flexibility in the elderly.  Even less mobile residents were able to participate—some parking their walkers temporarily to step up to the game, others wielding the controller while seated or in their wheelchair.

The Woodlawn youth group spent over a month performing chores, running errands and doing yard work to earn the money for the system. It took another few months to locate an available unit.

February 25th, 2008 | Posted in Fulton | Share this on Facebook or Twitter