People of all ages can enjoy playing bingo, and the game can benefit seniors in a variety of ways. Here are a few reasons you should encourage your elderly loved one to play bingo at home or at a local community center.
1. Prevents Isolation
An article published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences explained that seniors living in isolation have a 26 percent higher risk of developing medical problems compared to seniors with active social lives. Older adults who no longer work or raise children are at risk for becoming disconnected with the world around them. In the absence of family members or friends, seniors gradually experience isolation. Playing bingo in a community setting on a regular basis provides seniors with the chance to socialize and reconnect with others.
2. Expands the Social Circle
Aging adults can play bingo with their friends or family members at home. However, seniors have the chance to meet new people, make new friends, foster new relationships, and expand their social circles when they play bingo in community settings.
Aging adults who participate in bingo and other social activities tend to have healthier lives. For many families, home care can be a wonderful solution when their aging loved ones need companionship and socialization a few hours a week or just need minor assistance with daily household tasks. At Assisting Hands Home Care, we thrive on helping seniors maintain their independence while living in the comfort of home.
3. Exercises the Brain
Listening to the numbers called, locating the numbers on bingo cards, and marking the numbers are all activities that boost brain health. To keep the brain healthy and maintain optimal cognitive function, seniors can play games. University of Southampton researchers studied the correlation between playing bingo and enhanced cognitive ability. Seniors who regularly played bingo scored higher on tests evaluating memory and mental speed compared to people who did not play.
4. Encourages Dexterity
Arranging and marking cards requires the use of fine motor skills. Exercising the wrists and fingers can be especially helpful for seniors with arthritis. Bending and extending the fingers and wrists when playing bingo can alleviate the pain and stiffness associated with arthritis.
5. Boosts Emotional & Mental Health
Meeting with other people on a regular basis fills seniors with anticipation. They often look forward to getting out of the house to engage in activities, which breaks up the monotony of the day. During a game of bingo, older adults often share personal information with one another. By regularly interacting with other bingo players, seniors can elevate their mood and reduce the risk of developing depression.
Depression and isolation can raise the risk of various health conditions, including Alzheimer’s disease. If your senior loved one has Alzheimer’s and needs help managing daily tasks, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care, a leading provider of Alzheimer’s care. Frederick Assisting Hands Home Care provides reliable caregivers around the clock to help your loved one age in place safely and comfortably while living with Alzheimer’s disease.
6. Enhances Overall Health
While playing bingo and enjoying the company of others, seniors often laugh while sharing humorous comments or anecdotes. Physical movement and laughter increase blood circulation throughout the body, which provides cells with much-needed nourishment.
If your elderly loved one needs help maintaining a high quality of life while aging in place, reach out to Assisting Hands Home Care Frederick, a trusted provider of Frederick senior home care. Our caregivers provide transportation to and from medical appointments and social events, nutritious meal preparation, assistance with daily exercise, and help with everyday tasks like bathing, grooming, and light housekeeping. Call us today at (301) 786-5045 to learn about our high-quality in-home care services.
