leonalawhead

My Assisted Living residents get jokes for their bingo prize. Everyone gets a good laugh and sometimes it stimulates discussion. That's when I get to see their individuality. I tried prizes of candy, cookies, pencils etc but some residents ate their candy or cookie and claimed they never got any...that's what they believed! Working with different levels of abilities is challenging but everyone loves a joke. Transitioning to jokes from prizes was relatively easy. I told them that we play so many games (5 days a week for 1-1 1/2 hrs. ) that I couldn't afford it and the important thing was to keep our brains working. They agreed and we have fun. Now the Independent residents are another story. They play bingo for quarters-their own. They play quarter per car, per game. After collecting all the quarters for the game, one is taken and put in a special pot for the blackout game. They control the money and all I have to do is call the numbers. Thank goodness they play only once a week for 2 hours straight...my mind and mouth go numb after awhile but they have a good time! Ha ha!