VA Maryland Health Care System

Sons of the American Legion Donate Nintendo Wii System to Hospitalized Veterans

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March 3, 2008

The Sons of the American Legion, Department of Maryland, recently donated a Nintendo Wii system to the Perry Point Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center to support therapeutic recreational activities for hospitalized veterans.  The Nintendo Wii system, valued at approximately $1200, includes a console with a sensor bar and memory card; remote and nunchuck controllers; a high definition component table; charging dock stations; and assorted games.

The Nintendo Wii system is a natural motion video gaming system that has therapeutic benefits for hospitalized veterans of all ages.   The new system will be placed in a nursing home care unit at the Perry Point VA Medical Center, affording hospitalized veteran patients an opportunity to interact with their comrades through exercise and entertainment.

The Nintendo Wii system is just one component of the newly developed cultural transformation program that provides nursing home residents with new avenues for personal growth and autonomy.  The medical model of care for VA nursing homes is transforming to reflect a rehabilitative culture that provides a homelike environment for hospitalized veteran patients.

“Because of the generous support of community and veterans service organizations, such as the Sons of the American Legion, we are able to enhance the recreational therapeutic programs offered to our senior veteran patient population,” said David Otto, Supervisory Recreation Therapist at the Perry Point VA Medical Center.  “This new Nintendo Wii system will not only provide a vehicle for nursing home residents to move and exercise, but it will also allow them interact with their family members during visitations.”