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They got game again

The Nintendo Wii is a retirement home hit.

By Jared Leone, Times Staff Writer
Published February 10, 2008

Billie Lewis plays a game of bowling on Nintendo Wii at Stratford Court, a senior living facility in Palm Harbor. Seniors enjoy playing the console game every Tuesday and Friday. Stratford Court's enthusiasm is part of a trend Nintendo had not foreseen.
	[Atoyia Deans | Times]

ADVERTISEMENT [Atoyia Deans | Times] Billie Lewis, left, talks with Richard Jackson while residents of Stratford Court play a game on Nintendo Wii. Senior centers are using the gaming device as a low-cost, high-return activity to challenge residents' minds and bodies. More than 9-million people have bought the $249 Wii consoles worldwide.

PALM HARBOR - It is 2 p.m. on a Tuesday, and at the Stratford Court retirement home it is time to go bowling.

Twice a week the center's multipurpose room becomes a bowling alley. While most of the retirees probably couldn't lift, let alone throw, a 16-pound ball, bowling is a breeze with the help of a Nintendo Wii.

One of Stratford Court's oldest residents, 97-year-old Arthur Chapman, is one of the best bowlers.

"I think it's wonderful. It's almost like being on an alley," Chapman said. "I'm addicted."

The hottest game system on the market, the Nintendo Wii is not just for kids. Senior centers are using the gaming device as a low-cost, high-return activity to challenge residents' minds and bodies.

"I get the biggest kick out of the ones who are not walking anymore," said Marianne Brauning, Stratford Court's activity director. "Here they are bowling."

Stratford Court is part of a trend Nintendo had not foreseen.

"Right now we are getting more and more retirement homes excited about it," said Amber McCollom, a spokeswoman for Nintendo. "It's something we definitely jumped on the bandwagon for."

So are the more than 9-million people who have bought the $249 Wii consoles worldwide, making the device scarce on store shelves.

Brauning found out just how difficult it was to get one in July. After a week of calling stores and tracking shipments, Brauning and her 11-year-old daughter, Jackie, who volunteers at Stratford Court, got in line early one Sunday morning.

Mother and daughter each wanted a Wii, but the store said they could only buy one.

"Get it for the people at work," Jackie said to her mother. "They deserve one."

The Wii became an instant hit.

"They (the residents) will track me down if it is not hooked up in time," Marianne Brauning said.

The game features all of bowling's familiar alley sights and sounds: pins crashing. Using spin on the ball to pick up splits. Nail three strikes and a cartoon turkey flashes on screen.

The nearly weightless Wii control looks like a television remote and is called a Wiimote. The controller relies on the players' motions to control actions in the game. Wave the control to swing a tennis racket, hit a baseball or roll a bowling ball.

Chapman teaches aquasize classes and swims every day. He plays music twice a week for other residents. And in July he picked up a Wiimote and the knack for how to use it for simulating bowling. His best game is a 248, and he once got seven strikes in a row. He also helps teach other seniors how to use the controller.

Vince Sirvaitis, 88, moved to Stratford Court in September and picked up a Wiimote soon after.

Sirvaitis used to bowl in a league. He had a 180 average, wrist guard, custom fit-ball and shoes. He was serious about bowling.

Now he is again.

"The thing that kills you are the splits," Sirvaitis said. "It's amazing. How realistically it's like bowling. The key is to do what you would do bowling."

Of course, with a few differences.

Chapman and Sirvaitis prepare to square off for10 frames. Chapman sits in his electric wheelchair. His arm is balanced on the armrest and he holds the Wiimote in his right hand.

Sirvaitis sets his walker with the right hand grip in front. He holds the Wiimote in his right hand while steadying himself with his left.

Other residents sit around the room giving play by play and awaiting their turn.

The game stays pretty close - Sirvaitis rolls strikes in his last frames to win. Chapman said he is happy to have the competition.

"I never want to sit in a rocking chair," Chapman said. "That's not my way of doing things."

[Last modified February 9, 2008, 23:38:45]