| Getting efficient exercise, both physically and | | | | • Yoga |
| mentally can be a challenge for some seniors who | | | | Some of Wii Fit’s games may not be appropriate |
| have disabilities, lack of physical assistance, or financial | | | | for all seniors but for more active seniors, some of |
| difficulties. Nintendo’s Wii Sports brings mental | | | | the more cardiovascular games will prove great |
| and physical exercising to seniors instead of seniors | | | | results. The more oxygen the brain receives, the |
| having to seek it outside their homes. It’s not | | | | better their mental health. That’s another reason |
| just the kids playing video games these days. | | | | why exercise is so important for physical and mental |
| Retirement and nursing homesand other senior | | | | health. When people exercise, they take in more |
| assisted living facilities | | | | oxygen. |
| , have opened their social hours to include | | | | Some retirement homes are making the Wii apart of |
| Nintendo’s Wii for mental as well as physical | | | | daily living because of its popularity and exercise/ |
| activities. | | | | stimulation benefits. One retirement home in Chicago |
| Wii Makes Exercising Fun and Stimulating for Seniors | | | | has a daily Wii bowling tournament where they have |
| Now seniors can bowl, box, play tennis and golf right | | | | set up a fan for seniors to dry their hands on before |
| in their living room, what’s more is that they | | | | they have a turn. The social benefits of Wii are |
| have to physically get involved. Seniors will find | | | | almost as important as the physical and mental |
| themselves standing up and swinging the virtual golf | | | | stimulus. Isolation and loneliness can be a problem for |
| club, using the controller to wave their arms as they | | | | many seniors, but a friendly game of tennis or golf |
| play tennis or sweep the air to bowl. It may not be | | | | can encourage a wealth of comments and friendly |
| overly straining, or cardiovascular, but the low-physical | | | | competition. |
| exertion and mental processes all help keep them and | | | | Instead of grandparents not being able to relate to |
| their brains active. Seniors can even participate in Wii | | | | their children’s video games, now grandchildren |
| Fit- purposely created to provide indoor-exercise. | | | | can teach them how to play! It may not be the |
| Some Wii Fit “Games” For More Active | | | | same thing as taking grandchildren to the Zoo or |
| Seniors | | | | outside to play catch, but at least grandparents can |
| • Aerobics | | | | interact with their grandchildren on a new and fun |
| • Balance Board | | | | level of this generation’s game playing, while |
| • Strength Training | | | | keeping physically and mentally fit. |