Music bingo › Older players and care
Music bingo for older people and in care homes
In care, music does something few other activities do. A song from long ago brings back memories in people who cannot recall the morning, which makes music bingo in a care home far more than a game.
The game suits it well too: no reading, no arithmetic and no need to be quick. You only need to recognise. With the right settings it becomes a calm activity almost everyone can take part in.
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Choose music from their youth, not yours
The strongest memories attach to music from between the ages of fifteen and twenty-five. For today's residents that mostly means songs from several decades ago. Ask family for suggestions; that often produces the finest moments.
Small card, calm pace, large letters
Choose a 3 by 3 card and half an hour of playing time. Fewer squares means larger letters, which reads far more comfortably. Play slowly and feel free to repeat a fragment if that helps.
Leave room for conversation
This is not about winning. If a song unlocks a story, let the story come. An activity coordinator who asks one follow-up question gets more out of the afternoon than a tight schedule does.
How to make this music bingo yourself
Paste your playlist
A link from Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music or Deezer, or type your own list of songs. The app collects the titles and removes duplicates.
Choose playing time and win pattern
The app works out how many songs you need and picks the card size.
Print the unique bingo cards
Two cards per A4 with cut lines, with a matching emoji above every title, plus a checklist for the host.
Play the hits
The Bingo Master plays the recognizable part of every song and verifies each bingo through the card code.
Frequently asked questions
Is music bingo suitable for people with dementia?
Familiar music from long ago works well for many people with dementia and can prompt memories and conversation. Keep the card small, the pace calm and put the emphasis on listening rather than winning.
How large are the letters on the card?
The fewer squares, the larger the letters. A 3 by 3 card reads most comfortably.
How many songs do I need?
About 55 songs for half an hour. Take slightly fewer if you play at a calmer pace.
Can an activity coordinator set this up alone?
Yes. Pasting a playlist, choosing the playing time and printing cards takes about ten minutes.
More music bingo
Browse the other occasions, or read on the main page how to make your own music bingo in ten minutes.
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