Seniors Get Into Games With Wii

Amanda Stevens - Albuquerque Journal

Seniors Get Into Games With Nintendo Wii ; Company Hopes to Change Stereotype by Giving Systems to Care Communities

Walking into Acantilado Vista Retirement Community in Rio Rancho, cheering and clapping could immediately be heard Friday.

The commotion was emanating from the TV room, where a group of seniors were energetically bowling on the Nintendo Wii.

"Let 'er rip!" yelled resident Hazel Medros, 85, to 95-yearold Bonita Ball as she was preparing for her turn on the "lanes."

"I can't do the regular bowling anymore, but this is a lovely substitute," Medros said.

From 12 to 15 residents gather four times a week for an hour of "Wii time."

"This is the most fun thing that has ever happened to this place," Medros said.

Residents at Acantilado Vista, as well as the other 30 Leisure Care communities, have been enjoying the Nintendo Wii since September.

"All Leisure Care communities have Wii," said Matt Edwards, Leisure Care communication manager. "They all got them at the same time. It's been great working with Nintendo, bringing people

together, having a great time. That's what it's all about."

Nintendo, often stereotyped as appealing to strictly younger generations, has given the Wiis to Leisure Care communities and will hopefully change that stereotype.

"There has been a bad rap on Nintendo, that Nintendo is only for kids, but we never felt that way. Finally, we have a chance to show Nintendo isn't just for kids," said Amber McCollum, senior manager in public relations for Nintendo. "(The Wii) is a product that does transcend all ages. If they can hold and use a remote to a TV, then they can use the Wii."

The seniors at Acantilado Vista couldn't be happier about the product.

"I love it," said Erna Paul. "I think it's the most wonderful thing. It's so different from everything else here."

As the popularity of the system grows, there is talk of holding competitive Wii bowling tournaments at the retirement community, perhaps even challenging other retirement communities around the area and eventually via Internet.

"I would love to try and arrange a tournament, maybe individually or we could break into teams," said Mark Rupert, the brain fitness instructor at Acantilado.

Rupert heads up the "Wii hour," helping those who need a little extra help with their balance and giving moral support to all bowlers.

"Ah, you were robbed, Bonita!" he exclaimed, as Ball barely missed the 10-pin in an attempt to pick up the spare.

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