Life Care hosts companywide game for National Bingo Day

In honor of National Bingo Day, Life Care Centers of America hosted a live, nationwide bingo game for all Life Care facilities.

Residents and associates were invited to play as John Kitterman, vice president of purchasing, and Meredith Morris, executive secretary to Carol Hulgan, chief nursing officer, provided commentary and fun facts about the company. As the games began, the battle to get five across was on, and hearing the simple word “BINGO” was desired.

Meanwhile, residents at Life Care Center of Cleveland, Tennessee, gathered around the television to prepare for the game. As numbers were called out, a lot of smiles or looks of determination came across the faces of the residents. A lot of the residents started out strong with three or four in a row, but then a sigh of frustration would sound as the fifth number was not the lucky winner they needed. The live chat rooms were filling up with winners from different facilities, but the determination did not stop team Cleveland.

“BINGO!” shouted Debra Baker, first resident winner.

“Oh, we have a winner!” said Jeanne McCuiston, activities director.

The room filled with clapping and cheering as the candy cart was rolled to Debra. The first victory at Cleveland set the bar, and everyone had their eyes on the prize of being the next winner. As numbers were called, the intensity grew, and the room became silent. Jeanne walked around encouraging residents. The silence broke when Carol Hulgan, appeared on the screen to call out the set of numbers; the whole room cheered for her.

“Oh, we love Carol,” said Darren Hulgan, interim executive director at the time, who is also Carol’s husband.

As the game continued, Life Care Center of Cleveland celebrated a second victory.

“BINGO!” cheered resident David Harrell. “I knew I would win. I have three places that just needed one more peg.”

As the game wrapped up, Cleveland ended up having two resident winners, but all in all, the residents had fun.

“I usually dominate bingo,” said Frances Griffith, runner-up resident. “I guess next week I need to step my game up.”

“This was a lot of fun,” said Sue Beam, runner-up resident. “Next time is my week to win. I just needed one more peg on four lines to win.”

The associates and residents cannot wait for national bingo to happen again. It was fun, competitive and a great day at Life Care Center of Cleveland.