To help participants learn and use health information focused on COVID-19 immunization and prevention, the FCS Agent in Whitley County taught Bingocize® to 18 participants twice a week for 6 weeks.  Bingocize® is a socially engaging group-based game created by Dr. Jason Crandall, Associate Professor of Exercise Science & Kinesiology and Co-Director of the Center for Applied Science in Health and Aging in the WKU College of Health and Human Services.  This evidence based senior wellness program combines health education and exercise in the format of BINGO.  This program was recently expanded to include COVID-19 educational components for delivery to underserved populations across Kentucky.

Of the 18 initial participants, 15 completed a pre- and post-unit evaluation.  Of these 15 participants, 13 participants were female and 2 were male with 11 reporting living alone.  All participants were white and between the ages of 67-87.

Throughout the course of this program, 2 individuals reported increasing their activity level from seldom active to moderately active at least 3 times per week.  As a result of this program, 66% of participants intend to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines and boosters as compared to 40% at the beginning of the program and 60% of participants reported practicing some level of social distancing while indoors as compared to 20% at the beginning of the program.  Participants enjoyed Bingocize® and reported an increase in their flexibility and their ability to move.  By the end of the course, students were better able to stand from a seated position and were able to maintain their pace while performing the standing march.