Gaming at the Grand Island Veterans’ Home

Today’s blog post is courtesy of Janice Rihn, librarian at the Grand Island Veterans’ Home. She has a GREAT gaming success story to share, and we wanted everyone to hear about it directly from her. When you’re done reading Janice’ post, please be sure to follow the link to the newspaper article; it contains some wonderful photos from the event! This summer I was at the Grand Island Public Library when Celine Stahlnecker, the young adult librarian, pulled me into a room to watch teens playing “Dance Dance Revolution” and “Guitar Hero” using PlayStation 2. They were having such a good time, and were so active. I started wondering if maybe Dance Dance Revolution would work as fun exercise for our members (residents). Shortly after that, Richard Miller, from the NLC, sent me a couple of e-mails about Wii use with seniors. At the same time, our DHHS Library Consortium ( the libraries at the Beatrice State Developmental Center, Geneva and Kearney Youth Rehabilitation and Training Centers, Hastings, Lincoln and Norfolk Regional Centers and the Grand Island Veterans Home) was looking for ideas for group grants. I hadn’t played a video game since “Space Invaders.” When I started researching Wii I didn’t even know what to call it or its accessories. Nunchuk? Isn’t that a Ninja fighting tool? I started with the Internet, (of course) then went back to talk to Celine. Richard put me in touch with Susan Knisely, also at the NLC, who helped me tremendously by answering my e-mails in detail. I talked to some of our younger staff about gaming and I read game reviews in all of the newspapers our library subscribes to. I started to get a clue. I was getting excited about the possibilities. What attracted me the most is that Wii is wireless. I’d experienced Nintendo and Sega games with my sons…wires all over the living room…tripping hazards. Wii was supposed to be easier than the previous video games…fewer buttons to push. And, Wii Sports is active. Susan sent me a link to a video clip of seniors having a great time participating in a Wii bowling tournament. (Erickson Sports’ Nintendo Wii Bowling Championship – Game 1, Game 2, Game 3, Trophy Ceremony) Even people in wheelchairs could bowl. I discovered the Nerf attachments for Wii Sports, and I wanted to play with them. Unfortunately, my supervisor and the other DHHS consortium members didn’t think Wii would work for our clientele. Fortunately, Dr. King, our medical director was very interested, and told my supervisor that she and her friends wanted to buy a Wii for the GIVH. Unfortunately, she didn’t think that would happen until after Christmas. Fortunately, Susan reminded me of GameStop. I called, and within a few minutes I had a check from Dr. King and was on my way. A cart with a TV, the Wii console, the remotes, nunchuk, games, etc. was set up and put in the PT (Physical Therapy) Department for supervised use. A few weeks later, after a very short lesson and time spent reading the instruction booklets, I took Wii to a consortium meeting, where everyone could play. The result was instant enthusiasm; the only questions now were about how many Wiis do we need, what size and kind of TV and which games. We started writing our grant. Last weekend the GIVH hosted our first Wii event, inviting Celine, Susie and the teens from the public library to come Wii with us. Although some of our people had tried Wii bowling in PT, It was a little difficult, at first, to persuade others to try it. After several experienced success, including strikes on their first throw, the rest were anxious to try, too. We divided into two groups and passed the remotes around; everyone got to bowl at least one frame. The kids were great about helping the members with the remotes, and the room was filled with cheering. After bowling, the kids demonstrated “Dance Dance Revolution” and “Guitar Hero” using their library’s PlayStation 2. If you want to see pictures of Wii joy, and read a little more about the event, go to this link from the Grand Island Independent newspaper: http://www.theindependent.com/stories/12022007/fea_wiibowl02.shtml For us, Wii not only provides good physical activity, it also allows members to continue an activity they might have had to give up. It is a social activity. It helps members feel like they are still a part of the world. It is an excellent intergenerational activity. And, it has what I call “the cool factor.” Paris Hilton might say “That’s hot!” Although I don’t think “Dance Dance Revolution” will work for us, I AM interested in trying Wii Sports with the Nerf attachments. I want to play “Big Brain Academy.” I just read a review of “Super Mario Galaxy” that calls it one of the top 5 games of the year. Hmmm…I remember Mario from my son’s first Nintendo…back in the dark ages. Oh, my goodness! This library chick might be on her way to being COOL! Janice @ the GIVH