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Video: Seniors spare the real-life details and go for the Wii strike

Mary DiPietro hadn't held a bowling ball in more than 20 years, but at just 2 pounds, this one would do just fine. Lifting it up and eyeing the pins in front of her, she took a step back before swaying her body forward and letting go on her upswing. As the ball sailed down the lane her friends started to shout behind her.

"Stike! Strike! Strike!"

The ball curved to the left and took three pins instead of all 10. DiPietro handed the "ball" off to the next person as members of Fairport's Maplewood Estates senior-living center each took turns trying for that elusive "X." The only difference in this game was these players didn't have to leave their home - or even step foot outside - to get the feel of facing off in a bowling alley.

They just turned on their TV.

For these seniors, their alley time didn't require a lane fee, shoe rental or heavy balls to carry around, but the strikes and spares of felt the same as Maplewood unveiled a Nintendo Wii video game system to their residents Jan. 30.

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<td>While most senior-living centers may not offer video games as a fun way to keep residents in shape, there are still plenty of other options.

At The Highlands in Pittsford, Director of Cultural Programming Lisa Stephenson said that with an extensive exercise program, residents are able to work on their cardiovascular and muscular strengthening three times a week in addition to a tai chi class that's growing in popularity. Stephenson added that residents at The Highlands walk regularly.

To Robert and Jane Lee, senior living doesn't mean it's time to slow down. It's time to keep going. As residents of Pittsford's Cloverwood senior-living community, they enjoy plenty of daily activities and meeting with friends, in addition to participating in hiking groups and chess clubs.

"We all just like to be together," Jane Lee said.

"Just like kids," Robert quickly chimed in.</td>

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"This isn't as stressful (as real bowling) and you don't get as smokey as you used to in the bowling halls," DiPietro said. "That's the reason I quit (bowling), because everybody smoked and I couldn't stand the smoke anymore!"

Residents use the "Wiimote," a 2-pound controller about 6 inches long that uses a person's normal body movements to play games like tennis, golf, baseball or bowling.

"Has anyone ever bowled like this before?" asked Maplewood Life Enrichment Coordinator Amy Werth as she introduced the system.

"Not like this before!" exclaimed a triplet of residents.

"Well, this is the new and improved way to bowl!" Werth answered.

After taking her turn, resident Lois Carpenter said she's glad that she and her friends can bowl because it feels like the real thing, right down to the pace of the game.

"It just makes you feel like you're right there," she said. "It's unbelievable. It just boggles my mind."

A big reason for the purchase of the Wii system, Werth said, was to give residents another opportunity for exercise. Players go through the regular motion and move around like in real-life sports, as Wii players have to swing the controller like a baseball bat or a tennis racket to play those games.

src="http://www.youtube.com/v/2kGP89i32lYrel=1" width="425" height="355" scale="ShowAll" loop="loop" menu="menu" wmode="transparent" quality="1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed> Not only that, but Werth said it's fun to be able to teach residents something so new that they hadn't heard about. "Some residents were scared of it ... but once they tried it, they love it," she said. "They're trying something new and that's something I like." A chorus of "oohs," "aahs" and shouts of "oh!" got louder and as players barely missed strikes and spares. While the tutorial of the game provided plenty action and excitement, this was just the beginning. Werth said Maplewood is looking into setting up regular league games for residents to play in with teams and may even get some uniforms. "The best part is the companionship (because) we who are here like to be more active," Carpenter said. "You get up and you're actually doing something, not just sitting all the time." <em>Bryan Roth can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 270, or at broth@mpnewspapers.com.