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BINGO Offers Seniors Fun & Social Engagement

When I found out that December was BINGO’s Birthday Month, I thought it would be fun to acknowledge it in my blog! After all, I have more than one friend with at least one grandparent or loved one who absolutely LOVES BINGO!  The common denominator between them is it affords them the opportunity to get out of the house and engage in fun and games with seniors and younger folks at one of several local BINGO halls in Pasco and Pinellas Counties.

One friend recalled having played BINGO with her Grandmother when she would visit as a child. Although it’s a simple game, it’s also quite competitive among regular participants who often use strategies based on odds, superstition, or a combination of the two.

“The game began in Italy in 1530 as “LoGiuoco del Lotto D’Italia,” and is still played there today, almost every Saturday. The French adopted the game in the 1770s as “Le Lotto.” Germany put an academic spin on the pastime a century later turning it into an educational game for children, tying in lessons on various subjects,” according to the National Day Calendar website.

BINGO was adopted in North America in 1929, and was known as “beano”. Then Edwin Lowe, a salesman in New York, hired mathematician Carl Leffler, to produce as many combinations of numeric possibilities as possible on cards for the game. The name changed to BINGO when an enthusiastic player shouted the word by mistake when she won. The name stuck.

As the story goes, a Catholic priest began using BINGO for fundraisers in the 1930’s. Since then, the game has been associated with the Catholic community and continues to be used for church fundraisers to this day.

Although there has been a decline in casino BINGO games, there are numerous locations around our area that cater to enthusiastic players. Cash and prizes, food and drink, good times and games are the fundamentals of facilities who offer BINGO competitions.

Take a look in your local department stores for the boxed version, or go online to obtain the game of BINGO. When you visit your senior loved ones over the holidays, offer to play a few games with them and celebrate BINGO’s birthday this month!

If you are not in the area, but you know Grandma would enjoy some companionship to play at home, or would welcome the opportunity to go to a local BINGO hall, the compassionate caregivers at Home Helpers® are happy to provide companionship and transportation services for seniors – with or without a wheelchair – complete with a personal escort door-to-door.

Simply call to schedule an appointment for a FREE consultation regarding companion care services we provide, or schedule a ride with our Safe Wheelchair Transport Service. We’re here to lend a helping hand and a ride: (727) 240-3059

Home Helpers® is honored to have received the Provider of Choice 2017 & 2018 awards from Home Care Pulse, and we proudly serve male and female seniors in Clearwater, Dunedin, Palm Harbor, Safety Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Holiday, New Port Richey, Trinity, Port Richey, Hudson and surrounding areas. Home Helpers®…Making Life Easier℠

Source:  National Day Calendar

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