Before even offering Flip™ Bingo sessions to residents, the activities staff would really benefit from reading these easy instructions and discuss among themselves which residents would be able to participate.

If there is limited activities staff available to help residents and the bingo caller, then it would be advisable (especially for the first time) to do a "dry run" with just a handful of residents.

Another suggestion would be to have special seating for those with other health issues: EXAMPLE: Low vision residents be seated in an area where the lighting and glare is not an issue. For those with hearing problems, provide seating on both the left and right of the bingo caller (make sure the good ear is within the bingo caller's range); those with range of motion issues with arms/hands/fingers will definitely need to be one on one with either staff or a volunteer.

Before residents arrive, have all the cards on the same side with identical patterns placed on the table in front of their designated seats. According to skill level, you may wish to use the "blue" cards first. After they become accustomed to playing, collect the "blue" cards and let them try the "pink". Because of the shape and size of the cards, I find that the small white plastic containers from a dollar store (3 for $1) are perfect to keep their bingo chips in. Because of limited numbers on the cards, each player needs about 25 bingo markers. Using regular poker chips or checkers work well with these cards. For fun and depending on the population, hard wrapped candy pieces make terrific markers also!

When all the residents have arrived AND YOU HAVE GOTTEN THEIR ATTENTION, introduce this version to your residents as a board game. Then have fun with the residents by showing them how to "flip" the card! I like to tell them it's like turning a water wheel. To make the session relaxing, let them do it for a moment or two – have fun with it and don't take it too seriously if they try turning it over the other way (and I guarantee you they will)!

Background Information

Initially, when I first started calling bingo with this version, there was no particular presentation I had in mind for those with dementia.

Then I realized that what applied to helping them in their activities of daily living is still very necessary to continue with any leisure pastime activities – especially Flip™ Bingo since it means a "change in rethinking."

When I first came up with idea for this version of Flip™ Bingo, it was mainly intended for the visually impaired. The key was to have more contrast of black numbers against the white background and also enlarged numbers. In testing this idea, it accomplished what it was intended to do with this population of seniors. By accident I found that the same concept was also ideal for those with learning disabilities – too many numbers on a bingo card made the game frustrating to them as well. This also happened with a couple of residents with early onset dementia who were "mainstreamed" into the bingo sessions. There again, I observed that one wonderful lady in particular was able to play with very little assistance. However, before when she would come to play bingo, she would try one or two games but would leave in frustration. I questioned her and she told me that it was "too confusing" to her – she didn't know how to play the "fancy ways" the games were being played.

From trying different ways to introduce Flip™ Bingo, I have come to realize that in order for the success of those afflicted with dementia to play this version, IT IS ALL IN THE WAY THE GAME IS PRESENTED TO THEM. With some minor changes in the method of introducing Flip™ Bingo, it could make all the difference in the success of playing this version with your residents.

Another suggestion to keep in mind: if you or staff introduce the game and state that there is likely more of a chance to win because the numbers are easier to see, this may be the best approach yet! For those with low vision, this is the main attraction of Flip™ Bingo. I believe through trial and error, that as with anything – try different things and go with the flow! The bingo sessions are meant to be fun, so relax and don't take things too seriously!