r BENEFITS OF BINGO FOR SENIORS
We know that Bingo is a fun game – but is it really beneficial for seniors? As the game continues to become a time-honored tradition, more research is being done into its health benefits for players. And, as it turns out, a good old-fashioned game of Bingo packs major mental and physical health benefits for seniors.
1. INCREASES MENTAL FLEXIBILITY AND ALERTNESS
Bingo requires its players to be mentally alert and aware of the numbers on their card, what the announcer is calling, and requires a great deal of mental flexibility and alertness to stay in the game. In fact, research has shown that Bingo players were faster and more accurate than non-Bingo players when it comes to mental speed, memory, and the ability to gain information from their environments. It is also suspected that the long-term mental activity seniors gain from games like bingo can improve cognitive abilities.
2. EXERCISES HAND-EYE COORDINATION
Bingo can help seniors maintain hand-eye coordination even as reflexes and coordination generally decline with age. Bingo is a fast-paced game that requires players to mark their cards as numbers are called. Because of the fast-pace and repetitive nature of the game, studies have shown that playing the game can improve hand-eye coordination, which, in turn, can delay the onset of mobility issues and other age-related obstacles.
3. ACCELERATED HEALING
Bingo is a social game that can reduce the time required to heal from an injury, illness, or surgery. A recent study found that seniors who played games like Bingo during a recovery period following a surgery or other illness had shorter hospital stays and faster healing times. The study also found that seniors who played Bingo or similar games had a decreased risk of depression.
4. LAUGHTER
Anyone who has seen a Bingo game knows it comes with a lot of laughter and when it comes to aging well, laughter may truly be the best medicine. Studies have shown that laughter decreases stress hormones, increases immunity, and triggers endorphins, the body’s feel-good chemicals. Laughter can also lower blood pressure, improve cardiac health, and produce a general sense of well-being.
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