Wii finds home in retirement communities, medical centers

The WII continues to find a place in health care facilities...becoming a potentially vital portion of rehabilitation plans...and just good old exercise...no more basket weaving for the retirement communities today! BD

WASHINGTON — The Nintendo Wii is making inroads not only with non-traditional video game players but also in unlikely places.
At retirement communities, the Wii is transforming the social scene into a whole new game. At medical centers, the game system is being plugged into rehabilitation regimens. Romero is looking forward to seeing whether the Wii Fit program fits into the occupational therapy clinic's toolset, too. "The Wii has kind of sparked a nerve in the therapy world," he says. "It has set off a new age of electronic treatment."
An arts and crafts room at Riderwood Retirement Community in Silver Spring, Md., on a recent afternoon had the feel of a bowling alley.After Carol Fales, 63, shot a 198, she said, "I have progressed. I didn't think it could be done from a wheelchair."