Using the Wii to foster social wellness by Andrew D. Lachman

Diane Savard, executive director of Aegis of Aptos, thinks she has found an activity that should keep the residents of this assisted-living community in Aptos, California, a bit more engaged and challenged—and best of all, connected to one another as well as to their relatives.

Aegis residents can no longer field grounders or serve and volley, but many are still competitive and long for the camaraderie that sports generates. Savard has set up Nintendo’s Wii Sports in the community’s activities room to give the residents a new and meaningful way to express themselves and relate to others.