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This is a real heart warming article about Wii and helping elderly quality of life in rest homes. Article is here
Its largely positive and actually has some qualitative information on a one month trial. Resident Cynthia Hawkins, who is battling cancer, admitted the technology was usually associated with the young. Her four grandsons, who themselves owned Wii consoles, had shown her their skills, not realising that she, too, had perfected some games. "It's a good, fun way to be in touch with the outside world. You can't go ten-pin bowling but you can do it in here," she said. "I'm in an awful lot of pain most of the time but this helps take your mind off it." According to physiotherapist Jill Miller, playing Wii also helped residents maintain their quality of life by exercising, building strength and balance, and interacting with others. The biggest improvement was in Parkinson's disease sufferer Len Williams who was able to control his random body movements by concentrating on a game of virtual tennis. Monthly analysis of residents' falls showed a reduction for those who incorporated gaming with the home's exercise programme, she said. And its in New Zealand! Fancy that :-)
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