Hangman, Trivia, Bingo and Other Great Games for Senior Citizens

I once worked full time in a nursing home/apartment building for the elderly as an activity assistant. Now I am on call to work, and I enjoy it very much! The residents are at all levels of function. Here are some fun, interactive games to enjoy together. (These are great for kids, too!)

*I use the term resident for the elderly throughout the article.

Bingo: Huge favorite of all levels of functioning! I would say the most residents come for this game.

All players get one card. Hand out enough chips to cover card for each player. Residents who cannot hear or see well can have a volunteer sit next to them and assist. The "caller" of numbers uses a microphone due to poor hearing of residents. First person to get "bingo" yells it out and chooses a prize.

Prizes are donated or bought from Wal-Mart or the Dollar Tree. Favorite prizes: Stamps, jewelry, small single boxed cereals, bananas, single bags of snacks, single serving soup, chocolate, playing cards, stationary cards especially birthday and holidays, socks, children gifts for when grandchildren come to visit.

You can also play a round of "first person to completely cover their bingo card" wins a larger prize. Any larger item that has been donated as the winning prize.

Ask the residents if they would like to donate a quarter or use their own quarters. (Only residents that are capable of making their own decisions can bring money to the bingo room.) Then give the winner a choice to choose a prize or donate their quarter to a charity fund.

Example: Save enough money to sponsor a family at Christmas time with a dinner and gifts. It will make the resident feel they are a useful part of society.

You can have Christmas bingo using red and green bingo cards. Easter bingo using bunnies, eggs or crosses as chips. Any holiday you can change the bingo cards with a stamped pattern as something extra special.