Forum Discussion

HI Sam, seems that you have been quite creative already, why not put the call out for little donations for prizes, highlighting it needs to be something fun even from those $2.00 shops, this may help in some way and also the budget too. If you have some budget - why not look at shopping there or even at op shops for little trinkets. Hope this helps you Sam.

Hi, we have a prize bingo game too and although we include toiletries like shower gel and body spray I also add individual packs of tissues, lip balm and wet wipes as full line or 4 corner prizes and things like cross word and word search puzzle books as main prizes for those who prefer them.

Hi , We have a trade in table once a month , prizes at bingo and other games is "bingo points" I make on the computer , the clients save their points up from games played during the month . They trade them in on a variety of items , this gives them a "shopping experience" , buying tooth paste , tissues , shampoo , powder , cards etc ,I ask if anyone needs anything in particular before I get the items . This activity has proven to be popular with them all

Liz
This is a great idea but how much is each point worth.

little magnifying glasses are always a hit as well as foaming hand soap for the vanity in their room. we always have a lot of donated wool on hand which makes a great prize for any keen knitters in the group!

I have different amounts 50, 100 then have 500 & 1000 for special games lines , racecourse , etc. Make things up as I go

Thanks for the info Liz

I do Monopoly $ as prizes, then every other week we go “shopping”. I was able to get lots of donations of little trinkets, I hit up yard sales for for odds and ends. I was able to get a lot of costume jewelry. After I thoroughly sanitize everything, it goes up for sale. Since we can’t go out, that’s what much of my residents miss, I bring the shopping to them. I give them little treats and snacks while playing, so they “win” something tangible as well, especially for our folks on the memory care unit.

Thank you for this information Katherine

Our facility used to do the prizes, the number one prize was tissue.
We now give quarters for each game won and they can spend them in our store and they love it. They also win quarters for other games we play too.

Hi Robin
I used quarters as prizes also
You are right the residents love them
Now with Covid do you clean the quarters before you distribute them??
Thanks for your info

I have over the last few months moved away from handing out prizes at bingo and gone for a points system. Then at the end of the year will have a shop or auction when they can use their points.

Hi Brent
That is a good idea as long as the residents are in agreement with it

Hi all I tend to do theme style prize bingo with xmas approaching prizes would all relate to xmas time ,same for Easter etc which the residents enjoy.

That’s another good idea Diane
Thanks for sharing

I have had to adapt as we are a dementia home and at times we have people join in the bingo who are not able to actually play the game, they enjoy being part of the group and may sit and arrange the covers on their card to make patterns etc. At the end of the session everyone gets to choose from a selection of small chocolates, they generally open and eat it straight away 'instant gratification'. By the time they eat the chocolate they have forgotten that they played Bingo.

Hi Jean
Thanks for your feedback
Chocolate are a great idea as long as it is their dietary plan
Thanks again for sharing

My resident's are hoarding chips and chocolates, and here in Australia we have a mouse plague.
I would like to start a points system for my high care dementia residents.
Any ideas?

As Bingo prizes at my work place we have for one line, individual biscuit packs, tea or coffee sachets, and sweet treats like a few chocolates or individual haribo sweets. For a full house I have got posh adult squash, Packs of biscuits, non alcoholic beverages, toiletry packs, and word search or puzzle books.
They love it, they usually get three games in so a few people get to win a prize and bless some of them if they have already won they let the next person win (not all residents do this but its all down to the individual)

We also do a fortnightly quiz and the team or individual get a choice of the same prizes as in a full house of Bingo but may have a box of biscuits or sweets for a team to share. I have them in a bag and only show it if a team has won as some individuals would choose a box of chocolates for themselves LOL.

Hi Kelly
Would these residents understand the point system
Your prizes would have to be something other than food
Perhaps you can have a meeting with them to see what other prizes they might like
Kleenex and other toiletries might be popular
Maybe you can find some in fancy containers

Hi Natalie
Thank you for your thoughts

Variety of candy and peanut butter crackers

Hi Cathy
Thank you for your thoughts

I have a resident who picks prizes and donates to homeless (scarfs, mitts, headbands). We have a budget and shop at the dollar store, Dollar tree is opening up here next month. They do like to save on toiletries. Large Print word searches are a hit. Can't forget the hard candy ! When Ontario was in lockdown and I couldn't shop I made little gift cards that said "good for a tim hortons donut" as I could still do drivethrough with less contact or "good for $3" - thats how much to do laundry is. Then I did loonies. I'd switch back and forth to keep it interesting. Also put word out on my personal FB that If any of my friends were doing spring cleaning we would love knick knack donations (cleaned and from clean homes safely). I have regular bingo people so I have asked what they would like to see on table, don't be shy to ask they have great ideas !

Hi Lisa
Thank you so much for your input

We have gone to Quarters,
My residents like the gambling aspect rather then just another thing to put in their rooms.
We go on outings like sonic for happy hour and they use the winnings for these fun trips.

Hi Laurie
As I said earlier i used to use quarters also
Every now and then we would get stuff from McDonald’s and they would use their quarters for that
Thank you for sharing this