By TONY GUERRERO
Hays Post
A simple bingo game at the Good Samaritan Society in Hays is helping restore residents' sense of independence.
The care home has introduced bingo bucks. Danielle Mietner, activity director, said residents win laminated dollars through bingo games and can use them to purchase items at its "shop."
Meitner said the program is designed to support decision-making for residents, which often gets lost when they move into long-term care.
"When you come into a nursing home, you have somebody else make decisions for you," Meitner said. "You don't have the privileges of being at home. This gives them a little bit of control back."
Residents have used their bingo bucks to purchase items such as clothing, twin bedding, snacks, room decorations, puzzles and gift cards donated by local businesses.
Meitner said community support through monetary donations and donated goods is essential to keep the bingo shop stocked and diverse. The shop opens up once a month.
"They're pretty much grateful for anything," she said.
Donations may be dropped off at the nursing home, 2710 Canal Blvd., or donors can contact Meitner at 785-303-0325 to arrange a pickup.
One resident purchased a plant for $65 during the holidays following a brief bidding war when the item was auctioned.
"But then I gave it away," the resident said. "I gave it to my cousin's wife. It was a Christmas cactus in this beautiful Christmas mug, which was really pretty."
Another lucky resident used her bingo bucks to buy an $11 blanket for herself.
"It was an avocado cat blanket. Half of it had cats on it, the other half was avocado. I told my mom I've never seen that before," she said.
Before the introduction of bingo bucks last fall, bingo prizes were limited to snacks. Since then, the nursing home has received donations from the Fort Hays State University Nursing Department, Women Who Lead and several other local businesses.