Did you know that video games are all the rage with seniors these days?  Its no secret that retirees have always enjoyed golf, tennis, and bowling, but increasingly they’re playing these sports and other games digitally.  According to market research firm Packaged Facts, some 13 million retirees now play video games.  “Among the senior population, video games are being used to boost brain power and encourage physical activity,” says Tatjana Meerman, publisher of Packaged Facts.

Specifically, the new Nintendo Wii has become the most popular system among retirees.  Andrew Carle, director of the Assisted Living/Senior Housing Administration program at George Mason University, estimates that between 10 and 20 percent of retirement and assisted living communities currently have a Wii.

“These games fall under a new industry I call Nana technology, as in technology for your Nana,” says Carle, who was a spokesperson for Nintendo during the release of Brain Age2, a game heavily marketed to graying gamers worried about losing their mental sharpness. “I’ve defined this as any microchip based technology designed, intended, or that can otherwise be used to improve quality of life for older adults."

There is even a nationwide organization called Senior Wii Central which is designed to help senior Wii players get the opportunity to network, meet up with and play with other seniors.  No I’m not kidding, check out the website.

To read more about how the Wii is improving seniors lives check out the article below from Bloomberg.

Nintendo’s Punching Seniors Get Workout, Sell Out Wii