A Better Way to BINGO!

It's no secret that one of the most popular activities in long-term care communities is BINGO. For decades, this simple game has been adapted to fit nearly every age, ability, and interest. It can be modified for those who are wheelchair or bedbound and those with cognitive impairments. It can be played in multiple languages. It can be played with numbers, pictures, or words. It can be a tabletop activity or one with movement - or BOTH!!

What holds true for any type of BINGO is this - it improves mood, fosters hand-eye coordination, promotes brain function, and helps form social connection. Add movement and exercise and you have the PERFECT game!

According to their website, "Bingocize® is a 10-week, evidence-based health promotion program approved through both SNAP-Ed and The National Council on Aging (NCOA). Bingocize® combines exercise and health information with the familiar game of Bingo, which is a great and fun way to get seniors and those with disabilities moving and socializing." Program curriculum can focus specifically on exercise only, falls prevention, or nutrition. Sessions are to be held at least twice weekly for 45-60 minutes per session. It can be a 10-week program or an on-going activities program. The overall goals are to improve or maintain mobility and independence and improve socialization.

In 2022, Western Carolina University was awarded CMP funding by CMS to implement the Bingocize NC project in North Carolina long-term care communities. The project, which began in February 2023, has already proven successful in more than thirty certified nursing homes. In their second project year alone, participating nursing homes held nearly 1,400 Bingocize sessions. I was able to visit one of those participating facilities recently to watch the program in action. Twenty (20) plus residents joined several staff, including the Activity Director and Activity Assistant in the dining room at Elizabeth City Health & Rehab in Elizabeth City to play Bingocize. Numbers were announced over a speaker and shown over the room's large screen television. After every few calls, the Activity Assistant would stop and lead the group in a new exercise. Exercises included chair marching, stretches, toe-touching, the "prayer warrior," and other various movement exercises.

There was no limit to the number of times residents could call BINGO, so everyone was able to participate. The comradery was fun to watch. You could almost see little "teams" forming as residents at each table would help one another and shout "BINGO!" or "Blackout!" as they filled their cards. The Activity Assistant would announce them individually by name as they scored a BINGO. And in-between, residents would perform another exercise like "Raise the Roof." The Activity Assistant, leading the exercises, would tell them "Man, you guys are party animals!" And the fun would continue.

In the end, the prizes, provided by the Bingocize program, were given to the players. Fun prizes like hats, sleep masks, lotion, stress-balls - everyone got to pick their own. A few of the residents I talked to said that the program was enjoyable - much better than traditional BINGO - because it provided them with the opportunity to incorporate movement.

The Bingocize NC project will continue through January 31, 2026. If you are interested in participating in the project, please contact Simone Lipscomb at slipscomb@email.wcu.edu or visit their website.