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 older adults who play two times a week for 10-weeks significantly reduce the fear of falling, increase levels of physical activity, and decrease feelings of social isolation. Because Bingocize® contributes to overall health and well-being and has a proven following in 49 states and multiple countries, FCS Extension renewed 25 county licenses for 2024-2026. Nine new agents were trained. Sixteen agents were recertified.   

To help participants learn and use health information focused on behavior related to nutrition, the FCS Agent in Knott County taught Bingocize® to 8-19 participants twice a week for 10- weeks. Of these participants, 10 completed a pre- and post-unit evaluation. Five completed 80% of the sessions.  And 2 completed 100% of the sessions.

 Prior to the program, six participants reported that their health was excellent, very good or good. After the program, 7 participants reported good or better health.  

 Prior to the program, three participants reported that they had felt “a little sad, down or uninterested’ in life to “severely sad, down, or uninterested in life”. After the program, 2 participants 2(little) – 0 (severely) reported feeling this way.  Prior to the program, three participants reported not having the social support system they felt they needed. After the 10-week program, 0 participants reported feeling this way.  

 Two participants reported falling in the last three months. 

 Prior to the program, nine participants were a little to very fearful of falling and seven reported that their fear interfered with social activities. After the program, 8 participants reported fear of falling and 5 reported that their fear interfered with social activities.

 Since the time the program began, 1 participant has reported a fall.

 Prior to the program, four participants reported seldom activity; five reported moderate activity, at least 3 times per week; and two reported vigorous activity for at least 30 minutes, 3 times per week. After the program, one participant reported seldom activity; four moderate activities at least 3 times per week; and five reported vigorous activity for at least 30 minutes, 3 times per week.

 All participants were white. They ranged in age from 26-88 years old and all were female. Most of the participants live alone and have completed some college or vocational school. 

 As a result of this program, 100% of the participants feel more comfortable talking to health care providers about medications and other fall risk factors. 100% of the participants feel more comfortable talking to family and friends about falling. 100% report feeling more comfortable increasing activity. 100 % report feeling more satisfied with their life and 10 participants would recommend this program to a friend or relative. 

 Participants reported the follow ways in which Nutrition Bingocize® was helpful:

1. Easier to turn over in bed, get out of a chair and/or get off the commode
2. Watch what I eat and pay attention to food labels
3. Given me more energy to want to exercise after having breast removal surgery
4. How to eat better
5. To have a desire to eat healthier
6. To feel better
7. Better balance and flexibility
8. Helped with memory
9. Helped with social interaction
10. Make new friends
11. Make time for daily workouts
12. Losing weight
13. Muscles have gotten stronger
14. Lowered blood pressure, A1C, and cholesterol 
15. Increased servings of fruits and vegetables
16. Grew a garden or utilized local farmer’s market 

 Program Activities: Participants (Bingocizers^®) complete a series of strategically inserted exercises designed to increase or decrease the intensity and volume of exercise. Health education questions are also inserted into the game. Participants rest while numbers are called for the bingo game, then complete more strategically inserted exercises or health education questions, rest during number calling, and so on. This pattern is continued until a Bingocizer® wins the game. Small prizes are awarded to winners. Additional games are played until all planned exercises are completed.

 Program Goals:  The overall goals of the program are to help older adults:

• Improve and/or maintain mobility and independence
• Learn and use health information focused on falls reduction and other health-related behaviors
• Engage older adults in social settings

 Design/Elements Rationale:

•  A significant barrier to improving the health and well-being of sedentary older adults is getting them to adhere to an exercise-based health promotion program (Picorelli et al., 2014).
• Older adults enjoy and are more likely to participate in programs that are game-centered, interactive, and socially engaging
• Multimodal interventions (targeting multiple aspects of physical and/or cognitive health, such as health education and exercise) are most likely to produce improvements (Park et al., 2011).

 Target Population & Recommended Class Size: The program targets sedentary older adults at all ability levels, in a variety of settings, including certified nursing facilities, assisted living, independent living, and community senior centers.

8-20; >20 requires two certified leaders

 Program Length:

• Participants play Bingocize^® for one hour 2 times per week for 10 weeks OR
• The program can be even more beneficial if played on an ongoing basis.

 Program Approvals:

National Council On Aging (NCOA)- Bingocize® meets the highest- level criteria for evidence-based disease prevention and health promotion programs, as established by the Administration on Aging Evidence-Based Programs Review Committee and qualifies for Title IIID or other applicable discretionary funds.

SNAP-Ed Toolkit- Bingocize® is approved as an evidence-based Obesity Prevention Intervention by the SNAP-Ed Toolkit.