Seniors embrace the Wii

The activity room at the Palms of Sebring Thursday afternoon was filled with cheers for residents playing the Nintendo Wii bowling game.

Their top competitor is 84-year-old Dorothy Olson or "Deadly Dorothy" as some residents know her.

Olson, who is legally blind, relies on her husband, Harry, to direct her.

"Move to the right...a little more. You got it," he told her.

Adding the Wii to the activity centers at senior communities is catching on. Palms' Wellness Director Adele Dornheim introduced it in June.

Sunny Hills Assisted Living Facility of Sebring added it to their activity center three months ago. Their oldest player is 103 years old.

Highlands Village Assisted Living Facility has used a similar interactive game since February for their residents who suffer from mental illness.

The centers say the game is a great learning tool.

"It increases physical activity; it's good for socializing, and seniors with disabilities and limited movement can use it. It also stimulates their minds because they are learning something new," Dornheim said.

Those with limited movement like Norman Russak, who uses a walker, and Herb Ouellette, who is in a wheel chair, are two of the top players at the Palms.

"They've earned their bragging rights," Dornheim said.

The first few weeks the Palms center had only three to four players but they're now up to 10.

Sunny Hills Activity Director Doreen Wadkin said they went from three to four players to 10 and more are watching the game.

Once residents realize how easy it is, they are eager to start playing, Wadkin said.

The game became so popular at the Palms that Dornheim added a beginner's class on Mondays.

The more experienced players practice two times a week and are ready to start competing with other centers.

"I have a traveling team if I need one," Dornheim said.