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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday July 11, 2008 - 25 Wii program gets seniors back into the game button," Idziszek told her friend, who was at first hesitant to try the game Anna Idziszek's fragile in fear of not knowing hand gripped a rectangu- what to do. But after hearing the lar controller, her thin news from lips stretched to form a simple competitive smile and her Idziszek, she decided to blue eyes fixed straight give the game a try. On ahead at the 10 bowling her third attempt, the 20 pins lined up on the seniors gathered around screen in front of her in the projector screen the lobby area at Sunrise watching the game, broke out in a little cheer as Senior Living. Idziszek has never they watched the virtual bowling ball knock down bowled before. But thanks to all 10 pins. Idziszek's face Nintendo's Wii system grinned with delight and and Comfort Keepers' she raised her hands Active Wii-tirement pro- above her head. She, gram, she was ready to along with several other make her first spare, her seniors, celebrated her first strike, her first bowl. friend's strike. "The She seniors can now "The seniors are a bit hesiare a bit say that tant to try the game at first, hesitant s h e ' s but gradually almost everyto try the e x p e r i - one gets involved." game at enced a first, but W i i - b i t General manager Victor Polack gradually of the at Comfort Keepers' Oakville almost e x c i t e - branch everyone m e n t g e t s involved involved," explained in the game. The program uses the Polak, who has been Nintendo system to intro- introducing the program duce seniors to video to retirement homes for games, such as baseball several months now. According to Polak, and golf, because they are physically and mentally some seniors get competengaging, explained itive and challenge each Victor Polak, the general other to matches. The manager of Comfort longest match he's seen Keepers' Oakville branch. lasted around four hours. "It's an all together fun "The game just brings experience. Through Wii, back the youth in them." Sara Calder, the activiseniors can relate to some of the activities that their ty and volunteer coordifor Sunrise, children, and even their nator grandchildren do," he believes that the game said. "The game is simple, does have the potential of and does not require any bringing back youthful computer skills or knowl- spirit. "It's a fun learning edge." This simplicity is what experience, and I think made the game so attrac- with more time, they (the seniors) would enjoy it tive to Idziszek. "It's simply marvelous. more," she said. Polak is voluntarily You just push on that blue button, move your hand visiting other Senior back and then when you Centers in Oakville and bring your hand back to Burlington, and plans to the front you release the visit Sunrise again. By Hiba Kesebi SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER CHRIS KORNACKI / OAKVILLE BEAVER A WII BIT OF FUN: Gladys Eger (left), a resident at Sunrise Retirement Home has a laugh with activity coordinator Sara Calder while playing a bowling game on the Nintendo Wii. Seniors living at the Sunrise Retirement Home got exercise by playing Nintendo Wii as part of the Wii-tirement program at the home recently. RETIREMENT LIVING JUST GOT BETTER W e're very pleased to announce that seniors now have a new option in retirement living. The thoughtfully designed suites, amenity spaces and services of Chartwell Classic Oakville retirement residence are created to match your lifestyle, now and in the future, in a setting you would be proud to call home. Call today to book your personal tour. Leasing up fast! PRESENTATION CENTRE NOW OPEN! Trish White and Jo-Anne Lavigne, are the Marketing Managers for Chartwell Classic Oakville. Collectively they have been in service to seniors and their families for over 25 years. Their passion for exceeding expectations in retirement living is obvious from the smiles on their faces. They look forward to meeting you, drop by the presentation centre today! Call 905-257-0095 180 Oak Park Blvd. Oakville, ON If you have a news tip or story idea, call the Oakville Beaver at 845-3824. www.chartwellreit.ca