The Consortium

NINTENDO WII BOOST TO HALIFAX CARE HOME

New addition to The Consortium Care range is a hit with older generation

It‘s a past-time more usually associated with bedroom-bound teens, but now residents in a Halifax care home are also trying their hand at the massively popular Nintendo Wii games console.

“This is an excellent opportunity for our residents because it allows them to have fun and at the same time get some extra gentle exercise,” said Karen Coady, manager of Sandholme Fold.

The Wii was donated to the Anchor Trust home by The Consortium Care, the one-stop-shop for care home suppliers, which has recently added Nintendo Wiis to its product range. According to experts the Wii phenomena has largely been down to the unique way it reacts to body motion, with the games requiring participants to move around rather than sit in one place.

Karen added: “It‘s a great addition to the many activities we already offer to our residents. It‘s vitally important for older people to try to keep mentally and physically fit, and the Nintendo Wii helps us to do both.”

Helen Laver, Key Account Manager at The Consortium Care, which has just launched its latest catalogue, said: “When we heard about research which suggested the Wiis stimulated elderly people both mentally and physically we immediately introduced it to our extensive range of products and it seemed like the perfect idea to also donate one to a care home for user feedback.

“As major providers to the care sector we recognise the importance of promoting mental and physical well-being and we‘re delighted that the Nintendo Wii has gone down such a storm in Sandholme Fold.”

Anchor Homes Head of Human Resources Marcus Foster said: “New technology is becoming increasingly user-friendly and the Nintendo Wii shows that anyone can benefit from it.

“The console gives residents at Sandholme Fold a chance to try something new in a way that responds to natural body movements. We are very grateful to The Consortium Care for their kind donation and we are sure residents will get a great deal of enjoyment from it.”

ENDS 20th April 2009

For further information please contact Louie Hadley, Sturgess Van Damme, on 01275 349011 or email louie@sturgessvandamme.co.uk