Frequent games of bingo for seniors can offer social opportunities, closer bonds, and even cognitive benefits. Staying connected with others is one of the top reasons 70% of bingo-loving seniors play the game to begin with.
That's why our senior community in Bellefontaine, located 35 miles north of Springfield, hosts bingo games multiple times a week.
To entice you to join the fun, we've put together this simple guide to show you why bingo is more than an engaging game. We'll go through the benefits of playing as well as how to make each round more interesting than the last.
One of the best ways to improve Bellefontaine senior living is to find ways to help seniors stay social. Constant social interaction is vital for healthy aging, and bingo gives seniors an engaging way to regularly socialize with others.
Seniors get the chance to chat and catch up with other residents while waiting for the next call. They can also engage in some competitive banter when they get close to winning.
It can be difficult for some seniors to approach others for conversation. Bingo can give them the excuse they need to start a conversation without the same anxiety. It can lead to blossoming friendships and a stronger community.
Senior living needs the foundation of a close community to be successful. Since bingo allows everyone a chance to socialize multiple times a week, a senior community can flourish in no time.
Residents become closer friends while playing, and they can create new bonds with people they don't know as well.
This kind of bond can have a positive influence on other aspects of assisted living. Residents may become more willing to participate in other events or exercise regimens with their new friends. Mealtimes are more relaxed, and movie nights are even more enjoyable.
Bingo helps build better hand-eye coordination by allowing seniors to mark their boards in their own time. Due to the fun of the game, it won't even feel as though they're working on a vital skill.
With no expectations or time limits, seniors can work on their hand-eye coordination with ease. This not only helps them play bingo more successfully, but it can also make daily living activities easier as well.
Play isn't only a crucial idea for children; it's important for people of all ages. Healthy aging requires play to keep seniors feeling spry and in control. Playful activities can even provide benefits for seniors with severe mental illnesses.
When it comes to senior engagement ideas, bingo reigns supreme. With its beginner-friendly charm and its iconic allure, bingo can be a great way to introduce play into a senior's life. The best part is that bingo is simple, but there's always a different outcome each time you play.
This ensures it doesn't grow boring, and seniors can find playful ways to engage with others during the session.
Playing games assists with lowering stress, and bingo is no exception. With its laidback style, bingo allows seniors to relax and focus only on their board and the called numbers.
This lets them compartmentalize any anxieties or troubles and lose themselves in a fun and social game for a while. Once the game is over, seniors often find that the mental break allows them to tackle the rest of the day with renewed vigor.
The numbers called for bingo give seniors a chance to work on their memory recall on a small scale. They'll need to remember the number called as they search their board for a match.
It's a low-stakes memory exercise that feels exciting rather than a frustrating chore.
Of all the social activities for seniors, bingo is one of the easiest to start playing for everyone. It requires no specific skills or prior knowledge to jump right in. It is also played sitting at a table with others, so seniors with mobility concerns can participate without fear.
Bingo is all-inclusive, no matter any mental or physical issues that may hold seniors back from other activities.
There's a sense of freedom and strong camaraderie when everyone is on the same playing field. It makes the friendly competition even more fun and won't lead to grudges once the game is over.
A great way to increase engagement during your assisted living events is to change up the game's style. It's the same game of bingo at its core, but with either different winning combos or a theme to keep things interesting.
Try using some of these alternative bingo varieties to keep things fresh:
Offering small prizes for the winner can also bring more competitive fire to your gaming sessions.
The key to competitive cognitive wellness games is to offer a prize that's enticing without leaving the rest of the players feeling disheartened about the loss. A prize for bingo should be something useful, but not so high in monetary value that it feels like big stakes.
Some potential prizes could include:
When it comes to successful games of bingo for seniors, you need to find a community that works to keep seniors active and engaged every single day.
In addition to frequent bingo games, Campbell Place Assisted Living hosts a variety of exciting activities all week long, including cinema nights, crafting, Connect 4, and even hot potato. We also have community trips to local Bellefontaine landmarks and a weekly Happy Hour. This ensures every senior has a chance to stay involved and active.
Want to learn more about joining our senior community? Reach out to us today, and we can start the process right away!