News
Wii keeps elderly active in care homes
7 February 2008
Dan Y Bryn Care Home near Swansea in south Wales is the first care
home in a new scheme to try out the Nintendo Wii games console to help
elderly residents stay mentally and physically active.
The Wii is suitable for care homes as it can be controlled and
adapted to suit users of varying abilities. People can play as
individuals or in groups so there is plenty of opportunity for everyone
to join in socially.
Funded by a grant from the Welsh Assembly's Strategy for Older People
in Wales, Neath Port Talbot Council hopes that if the Wiis are
successful then more of its homes and day services can benefit from the
games console.
Care home Mananger Tracey Bennett shows
73 year old Eurig Roberts how to use the Wii
Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, Derek Vaughan, said, "The
council provides itself on the standard of care provided in our
residential care homes. As well as caring for their physical needs, we
encourage residents to join in activities designed to help them keep
mobile, mentally alert, self confident and socially interactive.
"Purchasing these games consoles for Dan y Bryn is an excellent example
of how the council is constantly looking to new technology to improve
the lives of some of our most vulnerable residents."
Research shows that mental stimulation postpones the onset of
dementia and might actually reverse the process. New evidence from the
Alzheimer's Society suggests that the progression of Alzheimer's can be
slowed by the use of computer-based puzzles.
The Nintendo Wii is an ideal toy for the elderly because its
controller can track spatial movement, which allows game play with
normal human movements. Few of its games, however, make full use of this
facility to give a better interaction, most being adapted from generic
games that appear on other consoles or the PC. Even fewer are suitable
for an elderly audience. It remains to be seen whether Nintendo or games
developers will develop other suitable games for this largely untapped
and growing audience.
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