Hundreds of Mississippi State University kinesiology students will help implement a program at two dozen nursing homes in the state aimed at helping residents increase their activity and social engagement.
The university on Monday announced plans to introduce the “Bingocize” project at 24 state-certified nursing facilities. The program, which was originally developed by Western Kentucky University researchers, will be funded through a $360,928 federal grant and will be led by 200 university students over three years.
The project combines the game of bingo and physical exercise to improve overall life quality. Residents start each session sitting at a table with their bingo cards in a spacious area. They are then asked to complete a series of gentle exercises as the program leaders call the bingo combinations.
The university explained that the pattern of movement and subsequent calls continue until a participant wins the game.
“Our team is dedicated to improving physical activity levels and social engagement of older adults. We also aim to facilitate strong, long-term community partnerships between faculty and students at MSU and Mississippi nursing homes,” said Zhujun Pan, project leader and assistant professor of kinesiology at the university.
“Activities like ‘Bingocize,’ which contain social engagement and movements, are important for residents’ physical, as well as emotional, well-being,” she added. “This is especially important during this special time of social distancing due to the COVID pandemic.”
