Scottish Independent Media

By Claire Elliot

SENIOR citizens in the north of Scotland have swapped their crosswords for computer games in a bid to keep fit.

Nintendo Wii consoles and Wii-Fit balance boards have been introduced to council-run elderly day-care centres and sheltered housing schemes across Moray
 

It is thought to be the first authority in Scotland to do this, with the aim to encourage social interaction and improve mobility.
 

The move follows plans by scientists at Aberdeen University to research whether the Wii Fit can improve the balance of older people who are prone to falling
 

And at Glenview elderly day-care service in Dufftown, Moray - one of four to be given a Wii - it seems to have gone down a treat.
 

Clients there have been trying their hand at various Wii sports including tennis, golf, boxing and ten-pin bowling, which was the most favoured.

 Service user Mary Grant, 85, who watched her grandchildren play computer games for years, never thought it would be something she would ever try.
 

But she said: “I had a shot of the bowling and it wasn’t too strenuous.
 

“I enjoyed it, it was quite entertaining.
 

“I’ve watched the boys play it but I never thought I’d ever want a shot of it.
 

“I just thought it was for the young ones. It just shows you.”

 Fellow service user James Beattie, 86, was also convinced he was “too old for computer games”.
 

But, after having a go, he said: “It was grand fun.
 

“I don’t think I got on very well to start with but I did manage. It helps the concentration.”
 

The games require each player to carry out actions depending on what they are playing.

The computer recognises human movement so, for example, if they are playing the golf game they swing the control like a club.

The balance boards also records movement and gives feedback on performance.

Lorna Bernard, telehealthcare project manager for Moray Community Health and Social Care Partnership which bought the high-tech equipment, said: “There is a school of thought that regular use of the Wii and Wii-Fit can help to improve balance and mobility, which in turn can help to reduce falls in older people.
 

“Aberdeen University has recently embarked on research to examine these claims further.
 

“In addition, the Wii can be adapted to suit varying degrees of ability and people can play as individuals or in groups, which has the added benefits of increasing mental alertness and social interaction.”
 

The equipment was only introduced earlier this month.
 

But once the senior citizens have had a chance to get to grips with the latest technology, it is hoped to introduce Wii competitions between the centres.
 

It is also hoped, in the long-run, to involve local school pupils to help older people use the Wii to their advantage.
 

Day centre officer Mike Heron, said: “For a lot of people, when we first mentioned the idea of a computer game, it was a definite ‘no’
 

“But quite a few of them have now had a go and are enjoying it.
 

“It’s good fun and I think it is something that will grow quite a lot.”