Nursing Home Residents Engage In ‘Wii-habilitation’

Watch a video about a new therapy the popular gaming system, Wii, has brought to nursing home residents.

For residents that have grown tired of bingo and board games, Nintendo’s Wii has now offered them a chance to have fun and keep them active. The hand-held controllers require arm and body motions to play; it’s practically like physical therapy in a video game. Games such as bowling, boxing, tennis, and baseball bring nursing home residents back to a time when they actually participated in the games.

Nursing homes across the nation have been turning to the Wii systems to help keep their residents entertained and in good physical health. Playing a game that is so interactive helps residents not only physically but also emotionally and socially. It engages the patients and allows them to focus and stay interested in the game. The environment in a room full of patients playing Wii is far from silent and full of “couch potatoes” – people are on their feet, clapping and cheering for other participators, sending positive energy throughout the facility and bringing people out of their rooms.

For more information on “Wii therapy”, click here.