S.B. is Wii-cipient of a new video game system
Seniors to enjoy Nintendo Wii for social, exercise purposes
BY CHRIS MURINO Staff Writer

CHRIS MURINO South Brunswick Deputy Mayor Carol Barrett tries out the Nintendo Wii version of bowling at the Senior Center on May 15.

SOUTH BRUNSWICK - Deputy Mayor Carol Barrett is bowling at the South Brunswick Senior Center. She winds back her arm and extends it forward, happy to have released the ball properly. Barrett is bowling, virtually of course, on a NintendoWii system that was donated to the senior center by the United Way.

Assemblywoman Linda Greenstein also appeared at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new Wii on May 15.

The senior center was one of only five that was chosen by the United Way to receive a Wii, which is a video game system with a twist. It helps many people exercise because the system tracks the player's movements.

Barrett and Greenstein were the first to use the Wii, playing the bowling game on Wii Sports.

"I do intend to make a fool out of myself in front of all of you," Barrett said. "It's what I do best."

They struggled to learn at first, but eventually got the hang of it and had a good time.

"It's good exercise and fun," Barrett said. "If I had it at home, I'd be doing it until I really got it."

The center was packed with seniors waiting to see what all the fuss was about. Many got a chance to try it.

"My grandson has one," said Mike Ketovsky. "It's good exercise."

Jag Vasudev, director of the NewAmericans program at the United Way of Central Jersey, was also at the event.

"In Middlesex County, it is estimated that there are 126,437 seniors," Vasudev said. "That represents 16 percent of the total population of the county. In 2010 the number is expected to grow to 173,000, or 22 percent, and in 2020, 33 percent of the county's population will be 65 and over."

Vasudev said that the rise is due to the fact that baby boomers are getting older and people are living longer than in the past.

"We want people to live longer, but we want them to be healthy," Vasudev said. "We believe that 20 minutes of exercising with the Wii will have a beneficial impact on the health of seniors."

Vasudev said that surveys will be conducted after 30 days to see how the system is being used and if the program is working.

Vasudev based his belief on his own personal use of the system.

"After two games of playing, my left leg tells me that I have exercised too much," Vasudev said. "If it's good for [my wife and me], it has to be good for seniors."

He said the games themselves are designed to exercise all parts of the body.

"[Tennis] is designed in such a way that when the ball comes to the left side of [you], you have to go backhand," Vasudev said.

Christine Wildemuth, director of the senior center, was happy with how things went.

"So many of them didn't know what it was," she said. "I think they're kind of excited. They can exercise instead of sitting here with nothing to do."

She said there will be a staff member to help the seniors figure out how to play in the immediate future, until they figure the system out for themselves. There will also be specific programs centered around the Wii, including the formation of sports "teams" that will travel around to other senior centers to compete.

"It will be an opportunity to see the other centers and meet new people," Wildemuth said.

Wildemuth also said that many of the volunteers, around 13 or 14 years old, could help the seniors learn to play, since they would most likely be more adept at playing.

Vasudev said that as well as promoting wellness and exercise, the program was started to get different ethnic groups to come together.

"This is the most diverse [senior center] in Middlesex County, in terms of clients," Wildemuth said.

"A better understanding of each other will reduce the differences," Vasudev said.

Vasudev went into this field to help people, whether to make them healthier or to promote cultural awareness

"To me, making a difference in someone else's life is more rewarding than making money," he said.

Other senior centers that received a Wii are Monroe, Piscataway, East Brunswick and Old Bridge.