COVID-19 Bingocize Pilot Program at Senior Apartment Complex 

According to Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), “mental health problems are common among seniors and may include isolation, affective and anxiety disorders, dementia, and psychosis, among others.  Many seniors also suffer from sleep and behavioral disorders, cognitive deterioration, or confusion states because of physical disorders or surgical interventions.  Research suggests that seniors benefit from supportive social connections and close personal relationships, but suffer because of disrupted personal ties and loneliness.   In addition, older people should be encouraged to actively participate in their communities and in society at large.”   https://www3.paho.org/hq/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=9877:seniors-mental-health&Itemid=0&lang=en#gsc.tab=0  According to Western Kentucky University Center for Applied Science in Health & Aging, “unfortunately, less than 15% of older adults exercise regularly, which leads to inactivity and related health issues.”  One such program that offers seniors mental, physical, and social benefits is COVID-19 Bingocize which was created by Western Kentucky University Center for Applied Science in Health & Aging.  Per the property manager at Arcadia Park Apartments, the facilities were hit hard during COVID and it caused some divide among residents. Bingocize COVID-19 pilot program brought together a group of individuals who may not have all agreed but were able to learn and have excellent discussions on COVID-19 while exercising and having fun as well.   

“COVID-19 Bingocize offers a unique solution that mixes exercise, health education, and bingo to help overcome health problems in participants.  Evidence shows social, cognitive, and physical improvements from doing COVID-19 Bingocize and the best part is that it’s fun and provided at no-cost.   COVID-19 Bingocize, when done on a regular basis, improves lower/upper body strength, improved way of walking, balance, and range of motion.  It improves mental abilities and increases social engagement.  COVID-19 Bingocize improves knowledge of falls risk reduction and other important health topics.”   (Western Kentucky University Center for Applied Science in Health & Aging) 

The Boone County Cooperative Extension Service Family & Consumer Sciences Agent, Liz Evans, in collaboration with Western Kentucky University and the University of Kentucky Family & Consumer Sciences, offered the 6-week COVID-19 Bingocize Pilot Program for seniors at Arcadia Park Apartments from July 11^th to August 21, 2023.  This pilot program was conducted twice a week for 6 weeks for 11 participants.  As a certified instructor for Bingocize, Liz Evans taught exercises that were completed at each class with all participants while listening to music that the participants enjoyed.  The participants also took exercise cards and completed them at home to adapt to an exercise routine.  COVID-19 questions were answered at each class and Bingo was played to help with maintaining mental agility.  

A pre- and post-chair evaluation revealed that 100% percent of the participants improved their ability to perform “sit to stand” exercises that were conducted in 30 seconds intervals.   The overall average among participants number of “sit to stand” exercises doubled, increasing from 8 “sit to stand” at the beginning of the program to 16 at the end of the program. Regardless the age, the more stands a person can complete in 30 seconds results in a lower fall risk for that person.  Research shows that almost everyone can benefit from regular physical activity.  One hundred percent of the participants completed the COVID-19 questions as asked at each class and during the final class.   Each of the Boone County participants completed the COVID-19 Bingocize Pilot Program and all paperwork was submitted to Western Kentucky University (wku.blackboard.com).   As a result of the pilot, Bingocize has not only proved to be a social- engaging and morale boosting program, but also resulted in participants improving both mental and physical health.