Earlier in the week, I drove out to Calhoun County to visit a nursing home where the Nintendo Wii entertainment system has supposedly been a big hit.

I immediately thought of the latest Wii commercials — featuring a mom playing video games with her kids and a group of older folks wearing bowling shirts and playing a tournament in someone’s living room. It would seem as though Nintendo has been hinting all along that the Wii is fun for people of all ages.

I was so excited about what I might see when I got there. When I arrived at the Calhoun Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Hardin, no one was playing — but the staff was excited to talk about the system and more than happy to invite some of the residents to the music room to partake in the entertaining new therapy activity. You know, to show me how it was done.

The first resident they had play was a 93-year old man named Paul Ingersol. He was more than adorable. He stood up from his wheelchair and Occupational Therapy Assistant Leslie Palos stood by to remind him how to play. It was only his third time.

Paul stood there staring at the screen ahead. At first, he was a little hesitant because he didn’t know which buttons to push. Once Leslie lined him out, I heard him say, “I can do it,” and saw him push her hand away.

After that, Paul didn’t need any help. With a look of determination in his eye he went for his first frame. Maybe two or three frames went by before Paul was getting strikes and spares. When Leslie asked if he was done, he replied, “One more frame.”

After Paul, two ladies in wheelchairs took their turns. It was the cutest thing I’ve seen all week. It seemed to make them genuinely happy. I guess a lot of entertainment options are exciting when the biggest social event you go to each month is Bingo, but even the people who had come only to watch were cheering and clapping for the bowlers.

Calhoun Nursing and Rehabilitation isn’t a retirement home. The residents there are in need of health care — many aren’t able to care for themselves daily because of physical problems, and others have low cognitive ability. That means they may not remember how to play right away. They may need someone to help them press the controls. They may have to sit while they play. It may take a while for some to catch on.

Many who played last week may not always remember how much they liked the game when they step up to play again, but you can see it in their eyes while it’s happening. Director Barbara Ledder said she’s even had to break up the game so the residents could get dinner!

The home is using the Wii to increase residents’ motor skills and to encourage them to be social within the home.

One of the things that make the Wii great is that it’s adaptable for players of all ages. Just as the residents at Calhoun were having a blast with the bowling game, I remember spending nights on end with friends trying to beat one another at bowling. The system was even quite popular during our New Year’s Eve party this year when everyone begged to try their hand at “Guitar Hero III.”

Another great aspect is that the Wii allows children to play video games while getting some sort of exercise. Some people I know bowl from their seats or sit on the couch while they strum the virtual guitar in “Guitar Hero III,” but I, on the other hand, have to stand up and get all into it. And I know I’m not the only one. (Hey, you try playing Dragonforce on expert and tell me you didn’t sweat a little.)

This YouTube video shows people playing a number of different games on the system and how they move while they do so:

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One last aspect of the game I want to mention is that it’s a good way for parents to spend some extra time with their children. I remember one lazy Sunday afternoon after I first got the system when I invited my entire family to try and beat me in bowling. The Wii is great because you don’t have to be good at other video games to be good at it. I learned that the hard way when my parents trampled my bowling score and took away my “Pro” status in the game.

Keep a lookout on thetelegraph.com for a video taken at the Calhoun Nursing and Rehabilitation Center of Paul and the girls bowling. The Telegraph will also run a story in the coming days in the print and online versions.

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