I have residents who have low vision and early onset dementia. How do you “mainstream” them in a facility such as a nursing home to play bingo with the “regular” bingo group who do NOT have issues such as low vision, early onset dementia?
Since this is a new Bingo version being promoted as a bingo “board” game to attract people who don’t normally play bingo or cannot play Bingo because of the above problems, or if there are more than 15 residents, I would suggest this:
Separate the room into two groups. On one side of the room are those individuals who have lowvision, early onset dementia, learning disabilities or other issues. This group would use the LOW VISION FLIP™ BINGO cards. On the OTHER side of the room are those individuals without the above mentioned limitations and they would use the TRADITIONAL FLIP™ BINGO cards. If you feel uncomfortable about this division, then try to combine the groups. NOTE: If you are unable to provide both versions of FLIP™ BINGO, everyone can use the LOW VISION cards or Bingo players w/o limitations can play using your regular house bingo cards.
For a larger population of bingo players (more than 30-50), consider two separate bingo sessions either the same day or another day. For example, invite all those w/limitations together for one session. The other session would be the perfect group to use the TRADITIONAL FLIP™ BINGO cards, especially if this group loves the challenge of having in front of them two or more cards (total of 8-12 patterns)!
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How do I explain why there are squares without numbers?
Simply explain that this is not only a new way to play bingo (since it is like a board game), but very easy on the eyes - less eye strain because of the contrast of blank squares against the white background making the numbers really “pop” out!
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What is an easy way to explain what “patterns” are?
Several good ways - if time permits, I like to carry the actual card with me from table to table. I begin by asking if anyone at the table has gone to community bingo halls in the past and played the many different ways besides the regular row, column and diagonal. If they respond by saying they remember, then I tell them that this is what makes the FLIP™ BINGO version so much fun - we are actually playing some of those games! The only difference is that the “unnecessary numbers” have been eliminated!
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At our facility, we have only the bingo cards with shutters and don’t have any bingo chips/markers. What can we use if we don’t have the money in the budget to purchase bingo chips?
An easy solution if your facility cannot afford the large poker chips is to either play with wrapped hard candy or even use pennies! One facility where I conducted a session used plastic water bottle tops - the staff saved them and stored them in huge plastic containers - one per table. They were also ideal for those that have range of motion issues with hands and fingers because of arthritis, etc.
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Can people use bingo daubers or will they ruin the cards?
The ink from the daubers would make permanent marks. These cards were not meant to be disposable.
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