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Nearly a dozen athletes wearing custom uniforms packed the Crowley Nursing and Rehabilitation Center for a bowling tournament July 25, but no bowling balls were in sight.
The Crowley bowlers competed against residents of Alvarado Meadows Nursing and Rehabilitation Center using a Nintendo Wii, a gaming console that is both therapeutic and fun, said Joe Hagin, activities director for the Crowley center.
Unlike traditional video games, the Wii exercises its users and is becoming a revolutionary tool in the rehabilitation industry, said Hagin, who introduced his son’s Wii console to the center’s residents in the spring.
“Back in December I got a Wii for my 4-year-old son, and I thought it would be a very therapeutic thing, so I brought it up here,” he said. “Once we saw how much everyone enjoyed it, we did a fundraiser and bought one for our facility.”
Hagin said that because the Alvarado rehabilitation center is also equipped with a Wii, he coordinated a tournament between the two facilities to boost a sense of community. Even residents who didn’t bowl were involved; many dressed as cheerleaders, complete with colorful pom-poms.
Crowley won the tournament, with Jessie Beuchan taking home the individual gold medal.
“I was really proud of myself, to tell you the truth,” she said. “I was proud to win it for the nursing home.”
Beuchan, who has a personal best of 254, said that although she has never even picked up a real bowling ball, she enjoys exercising with the Wii.
“It helps with therapy,” she said. “I feel more active.”
The center’s therapists have been impressed with the Wii’s results and have incorporated the tool into many exercise routines, said Joanne Ruane, a physical therapy assistant.
“The biggest benefit is that it improves their balance,” Ruane said. “After a stroke or a knee replacement, your balance is compromised.”
She said the Wii is also builds endurance, hones a patient’s cognitive skills, and helps with arthritis.
Patients are sometimes hesitant to try the Wii because it is so unfamiliar, said Bonny Mounger, an occupational therapy assistant.
“They feel like they can’t do it at first, but once they are up and using it, they usually like it," she said.
Some of the rehabilitation center’s residents enjoy the Wii so much they use it every day, Hagin said, citing Mike Lumley, Earl Varnado and Buddy Pellham as a few of the gaming system’s biggest fans.
“I think I get a lot more exercise now,” Pellham said. “And I’d say it’s helped me with my balance.”
But Lumley said his favorite aspect of using the Wii is competing, so he enjoyed the recent tournament.
“I like using the Wii too, but it hasn’t helped with my frustration,” Varnado said with a laugh.
Hagin said he is excited about the future of the Wii in rehabilitation centers, and he is eager to explore new games residents can sample.
“I’ve personally been amazed at how far some have come along,” he said.
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