PARIS – The administrator Members of the Market Square Health Care Center Activities Department had recently seen articles in long-term care publications regarding the use of the Nintendo Wii game system in residential and long-term care facilities. Now, they have joined those facilities by introducing the system to residents.

Wii is Nintendo’s latest creation; it differs from the traditional video game where players sit on the couch and push buttons, because it has a motion-sensitive controller, allowing users to act out the motions of the game, such as bowling.

In late February Lynne Wheeler, director of activities, unveiled the new system for residents. It came when group activities had been canceled and outside visitors restricted due to a flu outbreak. The introduction of the Wii console allowed staff to bring out residents one or two at a time for an interactive game on the new system, boosting spirits.

The center has purchased two game sets for residents. The first offers bowling, baseball, boxing, tennis and golf; the second, a more involved game, where use of the controller buttons is needed, offers fishing, billiards, table tennis, laser hockey and a shooting range. So far boxing and bowling are big hits. Up to four people at a time can bowl together.

Wheeler said that they hope to set up a bowling league for residents. They are also signed up for the Bowl for Kids Sake Bowl-a-thon in April. Some residents will be virtually bowling, while others will bowl live in the hall where a bowling set will be set up.

Market Square Health Care Center is an affiliate of Western Maine Health, which is part of the Maine Health family. Visit Western Maine Health on the Internet at www.wmhcc.org.