Bingo Programs are Worthwhile Events to Set Up in Local Nursing Homes?

Answer 1

If you are a senior looking for ideas to fill in some extra time that you may have on your hands following a retirement or rearing of a family, starting a bingo at some local nursing homes may be the answer. Residents at nursing homes are more than welcoming of programs that allow them to feel as through they are part of a social environment. These are simple programs that do not require a great deal of time or effort on the part of the individual conducting the program. Here are some simple tips to help start a Bingo program of your own in one of these facilities.

1. Contact the nursing home facilities in your local area to see if they could benefit from this type of program. While most all nursing home facilities welcome the idea of social activities for their residence, it is still necessary to contact these facilities to find out if they will allow you to set up a Bingo program. This will also give you an idea on which facilities are in need of more social activities of if one is already in place.
2. Enlist the help of a few friends who can help with your Bingo program. While setting up a Bingo program may not be very difficult, it does still require several hands on deck. People are needed to assist the residence who may have difficulties, to pass out prizes and to insure that the residents are enjoying themselves while interacting with others. Most people do not have a hard time locating 3 to 5 people willing to help with their programs.
3. Think of some simple prizes that can be given away. You can contact community businesses to see if they are willing to donate products to give away as prizes, ask fellow church or community members for donations or simply make simple gifts to give away to the residents. Some ideas are hand lotions, afghans, cookies or homemade trinkets that the residents can add to their small collection of personal belongings. These gifts do truly make a difference in the lives of the nursing home residents.
4. Create a regular schedule for your Bingo program. Make up a calendar showing a regular routine for your Bingo program. This will allow the residents to hang the calendar on the wall and have social events to look forward to. Make sure that you or your assistants are able to attend these events when scheduled.
5. Take time to observe the difference your program is making in the lives of the nursing home residents. Make sure that you take a little time to see the reactions of the nursing home residents as they are interacting during your Bingo program. This will give you a clear understanding why you are doing this activity and give you motivation for continuing to put the time into the program.