Belmont Village hosts marathon memory bingo game on Longest Day

More than 30 residents at Belmont Village West Lake Hills participated in a marathon memory bingo game interspersed with trivia, music, magic, and prizes to benefit The Alzheimer’s Association on The Longest Day, June 21.

The West Lake Hills community’s all-day marathon memory bingo game, which took place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., started off with a lively dueling piano performance by David Morris— an established local piano player with a national reputation at venues such as Howl at the Moon, Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar, and many others around the U.S. Residents sang along to some of their favorite classic tunes such as “Great Balls of Fire” by Jerry Lee Lewis and “Love Potion Number Nine” by the Clovers.

Assorted snacks and beverages were served throughout the event, and bingo prizes included gift cards to local hotspots and assorted gourmet food baskets. In addition, Belmont Village residents created a “Linked by Love” heart chain with messages of love to those impacted by Alzheimer’s. All proceeds benefited The Alzheimer’s Association.

The Longest Day is an all-day event held on summer solstice (June 21) each year, and it serves as one of The Alzheimer’s Association’s largest annual fundraising days. Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. The impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia is affecting more than 47 million people worldwide with an estimated increase to 75 million by 2030.

The 2018 theme for The Longest Day was love. Love for those affected by the disease and love for their caregivers. On The Longest Day, the Alzheimer’s Association asked supporters to select any activity they love and do it all day to help raise funds and awareness for the cause.

“We chose bingo as our community’s activity for The Longest Day because bingo is highly beneficial for the brain and memory recall, especially for older people. Although it is often derided as a game that requires little skill, research has proven that bingo requires mental speed, accuracy, concentration, and the ability to recognize patterns,” says Jamie Smithson, community relations manager at Belmont Village West Lake Hills, which provides Assisted Living and Memory Care.

Belmont Village has proudly supported the Alzheimer's Association since the premier senior living developer and operator first opened its doors in 1997. Last year, Belmont Village raised more than $117,000 through fundraising events held across its nearly 30 communities.

Donna Hermann, executive director of Belmont Village West Lake Hills, says: “As a senior living and memory care provider, we see the daily toll this disease takes on our residents, their families, and caregivers. We've led the way in developing research-based enrichment programs so that our residents can enjoy meaningful, purposeful lives. Our staff is specially trained to support resident needs with understanding, respect, and dignity and they are dedicated in their care.”

Recent studies indicate that challenging mental activities, new experiences, social interactions, physical activity, and a healthy diet all contribute to brain health and may reduce the risk of dementia.

Belmont Village communities provide a Whole Brain Fitness lifestyle, with a range of enrichment programs to help maintain physical and mental acuity at all levels. Residents with early to moderate memory loss benefit from Belmont Village’s award-winning Circle of Friends® program designed to help maintain brain health and function for longer. Belmont Village also provides memory care for residents with later stage loss through its dedicated, Person-Centered Living® program, which includes a full daily calendar of ability-based activities. A licensed nurse is on-site 24/7.

“Helping our residents remain active and engaged is a high priority, and we’re always looking for ways to improve and enhance our programs,” says Hermann.

The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research. Its mission is to eliminate Alzheimer's disease through the advancement of research; to provide and enhance care and support for all affected; and to reduce the risk of dementia through the promotion of brain health.

For more information, visit https://www.belmontvillage.com/locations/west-lake-hills-austin-texas/.