At The Commons on Marice "Wii Have Fun"

Wii Have Fun…yes, that’s the name of our Wii program here at The Commons on Marice.

This program has turned out to be a HUGE hit!!! However, there were some challenges getting it started and are still challenges keeping it up and running. Let me tell you about our experience with this program. When we first started our Wii program it was pretty intimidating to many of the residents here. Who wouldn’t be intimidated by a computer system that they have never seen before and most likely have never heard of??? Getting residents to the program has been difficult but we often find success in persuading participation when we say things like “It’ll be great. You can see what your grandkids play with their friends. You’ll have something to talk to them about next time you see them.” And so on.

Actually family members have taken an active roll in “selling” the program. Once they hear that we offer the program, it seems as though they put a bug in the resident’s ear about how successful they’ve heard it has been with seniors. One resident even had a bowling tournament with her family over the holidays and that got her stuck on the program! We still have to, on a weekly basis, remind residents what it’s all about…but they seem to catch on quicker every week. It takes much less convincing now to get them to the program.

We get pretty wild during the program with cheering and lots of ooohs and aaaaahs which attract more players. I think the residents thoroughly enjoy playing now and it has turned into one of those programs that some residents look forward to all week!!!

Games that work great for our community include: target shooting, cow racing (which works well for players that have troubles pushing buttons), and bowling. Bowling is definitely the game of choice and seems to work the best with larger groups (Up to about 10 people). Depending on the size of the group, sometimes we play competitively with teams or we will just go around the room and let everyone have a turn or two. If we choose the two player option at the beginning of the game, it usually takes us between 30 – 45 minutes. There is a lot of standing and trading places involved when we play, therefore we usually try to put the less mobile people in front so they don’t have as far to go to get all geared up for their turn.
We really do have fun during Wii Have Fun…corny, I know. J

Anna Steffel
Director of Therapeutic Recreation

The Commons on Marice
1380 Marice Drive
Eagan, MN 55121

Phone: 651.365.3047
Fax: 651.688.7888