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September 25, 2013 Page 3 Senior Lifestyles
T here’s a constant rumbling in the
background from the balls in the
cage. Everyone is huddled around
their cards, scanning up and down the
rows, looking up every so often at the lit
board in the front of the room. “I 19, I 1-
9,” extorts the caller. All 24 players scan
their cards, dabbing the ones that match.
The thin paper squares are a sea of ma-
genta, orange, green and blue.
This is bingo at the Chehalem Senior
Center.
For many, it’s a time to socialize, eat
lunch and have fun. But bingo has proven
health benefits as well.
A study by Julie Winstone of
Southampton University, found regular
bingo players were
faster and more ac-
curate when tested
for mental speed,
memory and the
ability to scan for
information than
non-bingo players.
He r r e s e a r c h
suggests playing
bingo keeps the brain sharper for longer,
which may explain why bingo is played
by three million people with an average
age of 49, according to the National
Bingo Association.
Dick Meyer, who calls the weekly
Tuesday game of bingo at the senior cen-
ter, said bingo is fun and has positive side
effects.
“It helps them with memory for those
of us who are more forgetful,” Meyer
said.
Matt Compton, senior programs spe-
cialist for the center, said anything that
keeps the brain active must be beneficial.
“And I think scientists would back me
up on that,” he said.
But, for others it’s just a time to enjoy
themselves.
“I’m retired so it’s a time to get out and
socialize and enjoy ourselves,” said
Shirley Minkler, who won twice that day
and took home $16. “It doesn’t cost very
much to play so you can afford to play it a
little.”
Meyer said it’s a game of chance, but
it’s also a lot of fun.
“I get everybody mad at me because I
don’t call the numbers for them, but I say
‘you didn’t pick the right card,’” he said.
Compton said he doesn’t think the so-
cial aspect of bingo should be understat-
ed.
“It’s more of a social game than it gets
credit for,” he said. “It’s less about the
game and more about friends.”
He added that for many it’s kind of like
a standing play date where friends can get
together, eat and joke around, which he
said has long term mental effects.
“But I think bingo is really just a good
excuse to get together with a group of
friends,” he said.
Bingo is held at 1 p.m. every Tuesday
and 6:30 p.m. every first and third Satur-
day at the Chehalem Senior Center.
Recognizing the mental, social benefits of bingo
Regular attendees at the twice-weekly bingo sessions at the Chehalem Senior Center socialize, eat and, maybe, make a few bucks
Story by Katy Sword / Photo by Gary Allen
“I’m retired so it’s a
time to get out and
socialize and enjoy
ourselves. It doesn’t
cost very much to
play so you can
afford to play it a
little. ”
Seniors from the area gather twice weekly for bingo sessions
at the Chehalem Senior Center. On Sept. 17, the crowd num-
bered more than 20 people, many with multiple cards as they
attempted to beat the numbers and take home a prize. Dick
Meyer (left), who calls the weekly Tuesday game of bingo at
the senior center, said bingo is fun and has positive side
effects. ‘It helps them with memory for those of us who are
more forgetful,’ he said.