The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Kentucky Division of Medicaid recently awarded the Western Kentucky University Center for Applied Science in Health & Aging (CASHA) a 3-year, Civil Money Penalty (CMP) award to implement Bingocize® – a strategic combination of exercise and the game of bingo – in 38 Certified Nursing Facilities (CNF) across the state of Kentucky.   This is the 10th Bingocize CMP project to be funded by CMS across the country. Other states include Alabama, Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, Minnesota, North and South Carolina, and Oregon. To date, over 15,000 CNF residents have participated in the Bingocize program.  A lack of social engagement and physical activity may contribute to ongoing declines in functional mobility, the ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs), and an increased risk of falls among residents in certified nursing facilities (CNFs). The Centers for Disease Control reports that nursing home residents account for nearly 20% of fall-related deaths in adults over the age of 65. This underscores the need for accessible, enjoyable activities in CNFs that promote daily social engagement, enhance functional health, and reduce social isolation.

The Bingocize® program consists of two 45-60 minute sessions each week. Trained CNF staff members, with help from trained university students, serve as program facilitators. The residents complete a series of gentle physical exercises followed by the program facilitator calling a bingo letter/number combination. Exercises focus on improving components of functional mobility such as strength, range of motion, and balance.

With help from Drs. Mark Schafer and Jason Crandall, and a Graduate Assistant, CNF residents will be recruited from each facility to participate in two Bingocize® sessions per week. The primary goals of the project are to train at least 190 CNF staff to implement Bingocize and for at least 1900 residents to participate. 

Center for Applied Science in Health & Aging (CASHA): Dr. Mark Schafer is the Director of CASHA. The WKU College of Health and Human Services launched CASHA in 2018.  CASHA conducts applied research to enhance health and vitality in the aging community, sharing our findings to inform research, policy, practice, and program development. Collaborating with community organizations and university partners, we work to identify and address pressing needs in aging, while actively securing funding through grants, contracts, partnerships, and commercialization.  For more information about CASHA, visit www.wku.edu/casha