Village Gamer

Burnaby – Members of Edmonds Community Centre for 55+ in Burnaby were treated to some fun in the virtual sun as representatives from Nintendo Canada and Nurse Next Door, Canada’s fastest growing in-home senior care provider, encouraged seniors to try their skills with the Wii Sports Resort game. While playing together with each other and kids from a local youth centre, Edmond’s members also had the opportunity to learn about and experience the Wii system.

Denise Kelly, Captain of Relationships & Community Care from Nurse Next Door’s Burnaby, BC franchise, has been incorporating Nintendo games as a regular past time amongst the senior population it services, and has found that seniors genuinely enjoy playing interactive games on Wii and reap far greater benefits.

“Playing Wii Sports Resort has social, psychological and physical benefits for the senior community,” said Denise Kelly. “From my experience, playing video games for Wii encourages an active lifestyle for seniors while having fun which lifts their spirits and gives them a great sense of confidence, and vitality”

Along with providing interaction among members, playing Wii games can provide a unique opportunity for grandchildren and even adult children to spend quality, active time with grandparents or elderly parents. Wii Sports Resort can bridge the generation gap by enabling kids of all ages to go skydiving with their grandparents or compete in a three-point shooting competition with their parents.

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“We’ve definitely seen the positive effects that Wii can have on our members here, whether they’re using the game as a means to learn about new technology, socialize with each other, or interact with younger generations,” says Lucas Bjerke, Recreation Leader at Edmonds Community Centre for 55+. “It’s also an opportunity for the kids to teach their elders how to use the game, and in turn, provides another activity that both generations can enjoy together.”

With the 2006 launch of Wii and its in-pack Wii Sports game, Wii bowling leagues and Wii tennis clubs emerged across the country quickly making Wii Sports a part of the senior community’s social and physical activities. At Edmonds Community Centre for 55+, members have created their own club as well – the Edmonds Wii Players – where members get together to play a variety Wii titles. Now with Wii Sports Resort, there are even more sports for the senior community to enjoy.

Wii Sports Resort has already proven itself as something gamers of every age can enjoy together having already sold more than 400,000 copies in Canada as of December 2009, according to market research company NPD Group.

“The launch of Wii and Wii Sports has changed the definition of gaming and those who can benefit from the technology, and seniors are the perfect example of this,” says Ron Bertram, Nintendo Canada’s vice president and general manager. “With its resort feel and expanded activity line-up, Wii Sports Resort takes the fun and interaction to the next level while creating additional appeal and fun that can be enjoyed across multiple generations.”

Nintendo of Canada offers great ways for families to connect regardless of their age or ability, check out Nintendo Canada’s Get Up And Play site for more details.