Bingocize® was created by Dr. Jason Crandall, Co-Director/Co-Founder at the WKU Center for Applied Science in Health & Aging. He created the socially engaging group-based game that combines health education and exercise in the format of BINGO. Dr. Crandall and his research team have tested the program and demonstrated that over 90% of older adults who played two times a week for 10 weeks significantly improved physical, social and mental health. Dr. Crandall trained 60 UK FCS extension agents in February 2021 to teach Bingocize® to a minimum of 20 participants between June 1, 2021 - May 31, 2023.  

To help participants learn and use health information focused on behavior related to exercise, the FCS Agent in Lee County taught Bingocize® to an average of 8 participants twice a week for 10 weeks and a total of 20 participants who attended at least one of the sessions. Majority of females attended, however we had 1 male attend regularly. Our eldest participant was 93.  Of these participants,12 completed a pre- and post-unit evaluation. 

Prior to the program, 6 of the 12 participants reported that their health was either good or fair. After the program, none of the participants reported their health being “fair” and many moved to the “very good” category. 

Prior to the program, 1 participant reported an 8, that they had “a little sad, down or uninterested’ in life to “severely sad, down, or uninterested in life”. After the program, that participant reporting having no feelings towards either question.  

1 participant reported falling twice in the last three months. Since the time the program began 0 people reported a fall.

6 participants graduated from the program by attending 16 or more sessions. 

Participant comments

-“I really enjoyed myself, thanks”

-“Liked that I had a schedule to come and exercise. Plus, it was fun.”

-“This was a fun way to exercise”

-“Got to meet new people”

-“I have gotten to lower one of my medications from attending these work out programs. I’m hoping I can keep it up”

-“Brought out new audiences to the office. I had participants I had never seen before. Also, this program was beneficial to myself because I am up teaching it and it has me being physically active as well.”-Agent