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Burnaby NewsLeader
June 25, 2008
Video game attracts local seniors
by JENNIFER McFEE
Confederation Centre is bustling with activity.
In one room, seniors try their hand at snooker. In another, they move to music in an upbeat aerobics class.
But in the busiest room, a long line of seniors wait to take a turn at bowling.
Sharon Card is next on the waitlist.
The 69-year-old woman drives her motorized wheelchair up to a pink line taped across the floor and takes aim at a row of 10 pins.
With great concentration, she swings her arm and releases the ball.
As the ball veers left, and Card leans right, willing the ball away from the gutter.
"Come on! Come on!" shouts the South Burnaby resident.
Onlookers cheer as the ball knocks down two corner pins.
Not bad for her first time trying Nintendo Wii.
For her second turn, Card swings her arm again while pressing a button on the hand-held controller. She releases the button, and an animated ball rolls across the TV screen in front of her.
One more pin falls, and Card hands over the controller for the interactive gaming system.
Margaret Ma, a Burnaby Hospice Society volunteer, steps up to the line next.
The 77-year-old used to bowl in her younger years but now has trouble lifting the ball due to arthritis.
Still a natural, Ma bowls a spare and the crowd cheers.
"I remember how to do it," she says, smiling.
Last week, a group of seniors met at Confederation Centre during an event set up by two programs that aim to keep older people active—Nurse Next Door and Seniors Active in Living (SAIL).
Lulu Chavez, SAIL co-ordinator, said the Wii initiative was the first of its kind in Burnaby.
"Different people are coming out because they want to try it. They move, they get active. Everything that brings a good feeling, that's what we try to bring to the program. Now I can't wait to become a senior," said Chavez, adding that she hopes the City of Burnaby will buy Wii systems for local seniors centres.
"This is the perfect game. It's a win-win situation. The kids can become the teachers. Grandma, grandpa can become the students. It creates a bond with the grandkids."
Edna Cooper, a volunteer at Confederation Centre, has been playing Wii for the past two years with her eight-year-old grandson.
"I'm best at tennis and bowling, but he loves the air guitar. But he always says, 'Nana, you go first with tennis.' He's very sweet," she said.
"You can play this with your youngest grandchild and your oldest grandparent. It gets the brain going and the laughter. You make choices. You can choose to be living."
Nintendo, makers of Wii, found two things held seniors back from being gamers in the past—game systems were too complicated to operate and the game themes didn't really appeal to them.
Where Wii makes inroads with seniors is its sheer simplicity. And most games—like bowling, tennis, boxing, golf and baseball—are familiar and fun for any age.
The easy-to-hold Wii remote is also a clincher in attracting seniors since it uses only two buttons for most games. Otherwise, on-screen movement is controlled with arm and body movement.
And the fact that you have to get off your duff is another feature seniors like. Programmers for seniors centres and residential homes have been quick to pick up on that aspect. Some seniors homes even hold bowling tournaments complete with trophies and prizes.
Similarly, in some hospitals, Wii is used as physical therapy for patients recovering from strokes, broken bones and surgery.
"Wiihabilitation" is often preferred over the usual stretching and lifting exercises.
SFU gerontologist Gloria Gutman said she is not surprised that so many seniors are enthusiastic about Wii, since many have an interest in computers and new technology.
"What it shows is that seniors aren't technophobic, despite the stereotype. You can learn at any age. And it can be a source of intergenerational conversation to speak with your children and grandchildren," said Gutman, the founding president of the Gerontology Association of B.C.
"But moderation is important. If you're playing 18 hours a day, whether you're a kid or a senior, it's not exactly a recipe for wellness."
Wii may not prevent diseases like Alzheimer's, Gutman said, but it can have health benefits and improve co-ordination.
"If it's giving exercise, it's lovely. Exercise of any type is good for your body. Certainly you want to use your body and brain. If it's fun, if it gives you some exercise, it's terrific," she said.
"But if it's going to keep them indoors, it's the equivalent of being a couch potato. That's the downside. The upside is if they're doing it as a group activity and going out to a seniors' centre to play."
Sharon Card likes the game so much, she wheels forward to take another swing.
"I like golf, tennis, bowling. I used to do all of them. I'm lucky to have been able to do it. You have to try everything you can. As different situations come up, you go for it," said the retired optician, who now enjoys wheelchair dancing.
She bowls two rounds, and each ball veers into the left gutter.
She smiles and shrugs.
"I never was a good bowler anyway," she said.
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