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Council on Aging offers free health and wellness programs designed with older adults and caregivers in mind. The goal: to help them better manage their own health. COA Health and Wellness workshops are facilitated by volunteer leaders – many of whom have had health challenges of their own. Here, facilitator Gerri Schneider shares her experience leading a recent Bingocize workshop at Cancer Support Community.

Last fall, I met Susan while we were both attending a Council on Aging Bingocize Nutrition Workshop. Susan suggested that I combine my supportive involvement with the Cancer Support Community with the fun and education of a Bingocize workshop.

The idea was a huge success.

Cancer Support Community members eagerly gathered each week as I led them in gentle exercise and fall prevention education – all combined with the excitement of bingo. I would call a few rounds of bingo, and then demonstrate an exercise to complete. We all had such fun. Whenever someone won a bingo game and the winner would shout, “Bingo!,” we would respond in unison, “Cize!” Laughter, cheers, and applause filled the room as everyone celebrated each other’s victories.

One participant, Jan, appreciated that there was accommodation for people with physical restrictions which allowed everyone to participate comfortably and safely.

For Susan, the workshop was an important step toward achieving her personal health goals. “I want to lose weight and improve my fitness,” she said. “The workshop gave me the opportunity to ease into exercising in a fun and supportive environment. It helped me build confidence and stay motivated.”

Michelle, another participant, summed it all by saying, “Bingocize exercises both the body and the mind and provides an opportunity to socialize together.”

While improving balance, strength and mobility are key goals of the Bingocize Fall Prevention Workshop, participants discovered something equally valuable: building friendship. The laughter, encouragement and shared experiences transformed each class into much more than an exercise session. They created a community to which everyone looked forward to returning each week—not just to exercise, but to socialize.

To learn more about Bingocize and other COA Health and Wellness programs, visit the Council on Aging website.

Schneider is a volunteer leader of COA’s Bingocize workshops and the wife of a cancer survivor. She knows that sometimes a wellness program isn’t just about preventing falls. It’s about lifting spirits and creating connections.