help please?

Question

Help please?
I volunteer at a nursing home for the elderly, I hold the bingos every other monday. I am concerned that there is a lack of involvment in this activity,only 9 people attend this game. I would like to draw more people together as this is a good way for them to interact. I believe it has to do with the prizes we give which are only dimes as their winnings. I would like to make it a special event for them 1 time a month. I want to be able to give them better prizes which I think is the key to getting them more involved. What I need is some good ideas of what would be a good gift to give them to make this a blast. I do not know much about what elderly people need or want. But i know that i can rely on all your ideas to help me. think of your family and friends and please tell me how whatI can do for both the men and women gifts to draw their attention to become more involved with there interaction

Answer 1

I worked in a nursing home, and I know that dimes won't do it!
Anything that makes people feel or look better would be good. Maybe you could get some of the local businesses to donate gift cards? [ coffee, drugstore, manicure, book certificate ].
Go to yard sales/thrift shops to get inexpensive clothing accessories, jewelry, books, music, DVDs of classic movies
[ if player is available.]
Some of the talented staff could make their own gift cards to
shampoo/shave beards/manicure those whose fingers are getting a little stiff. Cookies or other baked goods are good for those not on restrcted diets. Sewing/mending assistance is also frequently appreciated.

Answer 2

If you don't know what eldery people need or want, why not ask them directly?

You could start by asking the 9 people who do come along what they think of it, and what you could do to improve it.

And then, why not visit other people living in the nursing home, spend a little bit of time just chatting with them, finding out what they would like. If you show a little interest in them, perhaps even bring them a couple of flowers (from your garden, if you have one) or something small to brighten their day, they'd be overjoyed to tell you what they think.

Answer 3

Try refreshments, or maybe the winner can draw the bingo numbers, if they want, or give free food passes for something, word search/crossword books, or if someone wins like 10 times in one day, they get something big like a radio or a potted plant.

Answer 4

Gift cards or trips or handcrafted gifts.