I ran across a news article that talks about how some nursing homes have discovered a new way to encourage physical activity with their residents. It is competitive Nintendo Wii video games used as a type of physical therapy. It seems that they are using the video games to encourage hand and eye coordination, balance, and strengthening of their muscles. This is great for their physical well being.
Whether the resident plays the game or is just an observer it may help to aleviate some of the loneliness that some residents experience in a nursing home environment.
I think this is great. It promotes a community type competition…a way of socializing and encouraging physical activity within the group of residents in a nursing home.
Not only that…but, i can’t help but think of all of the families who have to normally drag little Johnny or little Susie to visit grandma or grandpa in a nursing home where there is little for the children to do. It would be more fun for the children to go to their grandparent’s nursing home if they could enjoy an entertaining activity together.
I can just see Grandpa or Grandma challenging the youngsters to a video game. Maybe even asking for tips on effective game playing…or maybe even winning against the youngsters. 🙂 Anything that brings families together in a healthy way is a good thing.
Since we no longer live in our homes with several generations of relatives …we have lost some of the ability to connect with one another in many ways. Could something as simple as a video game help to draw family members towards one another?
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