Many even bring knitting to keep them occupied while they play, or play the cards upside down to make the games just that little more difficult. Ms Winstone said her research could mean the optimum number of bingo games needed to keep minds alert could be determined. I know its often played in nursing homes and residential homes. If we can pin down how much it needs to be played, it would help a lot. Ms Winstone is conducting the research single-handed as part of her PhD studies.
Mental decline is inevitable, just like physical decline.
However just as keeping physically active helps ward off the signs of physiologically ageing, it may be that keeping mentally active helps to maintain mental alertness. She said people who played those games often used their mental skills in many other situations too. People go and have a bit of fun. It's good for people. It stops them becoming a couch potato.