This research project will investigate using a virtual world platform to host bingo events for older adults. We are interested in learning about how older adults experience playing bingo from their own homes using this platform which enables social interaction and community-based groupings. The idea behind this project is to support older adults social interactions in the case of another pandemic or other situation that prevents in-person gatherings. Come play bingo and bring a friend along!

Here is a video showing some people playing online bingo in the virtual bingo hall we have created, to give you a sense of what the experience will be like:

Recruitment Script

Investigators:
Dr. Celine Latulipe (celine.latulipe@umanitoba.ca)
Simran Panthi (panthis@myumanitoba.ca)

You are invited to participate in a research study examining the use of technology support for older adults to play bingo online. Participation in the study will consist of :

• An online orientation session to allow you to get accustomed to the Gather virtual world (~30 minutes)
• Attending a scheduled bingo event with other older adults and their companions on (date/time) or (date/time) in Gather and filling out a brief online survey while attending the event (1-1/2 to 2 hours)
• Optionally participating in an online individual follow-up interview approximately two weeks after the bingo event (~30 minutes)

To participate in this event, older adult participants must:  

• Be 50+ 
• Have access to a desktop or laptop computer with Internet, a webcam and microphone 
• Have at least minimal familiarity with using the Internet (ie. email, web browsing, Zoom)
• Have an active email 
• Reside in Manitoba 
• Be willing to show ID during orientation session to demonstrate age 50+. (This is to prevent swindlers who are just participating for the money and are not actually older adults. This is an issue we have had previously when running online studies.)

COMPANIONS 

If you wish, you are welcome to bring a companion (age 18+), such as a friend, family member, or loved one. They can join you during the orientation session and/or the bingo event. Their presence is entirely optional, and they are welcome to participate alongside you simply for enjoyment and shared experience.

There are two ways that you can have a companion participate with you:

1. If they want to participate from their own home, they also need a desktop or laptop computer with an Internet connection and web-cam and microphone. In this case, when they join Gather, they will have their own avatar that they can customize to look like themself.
2. If they want to participate while sitting beside you at your computer, they will not have their own avatar in Gather, you will both be represented by one avatar. 

If you will have a companion participate with you, your companion must also provide consent to participate in the bingo event (see consent form link below).

After confirming your participation (see consent forms below), we will mail or deliver bingo cards to your home address (you do not have to pay for the bingo cards). You will then be invited to attend a 30 minute orientation session on Gather, the virtual platform where the bingo event will be conducted. This session is designed to help you become comfortable using the platform. Following the orientation, you will join the main bingo event on Monday January 12th from 3-5pm (virtual doors open at 2:30pm) or Monday January 19th from 7-9pm (virtual doors open at 6:30pm).  

Please note that the bingo event will be both screen and audio recorded. 

During the event, you will also have the option to sit at a virtual table with members of your community. Or you can sit at a general table with other people from various communities. Private tables will be available for the following community centres: 

• Melrose Community Centre 
• Earl Grey Community Centre 
• Charleswood Legion 
• The Fraternal Order of Eagles 

If you would like a private table created for a community not listed above, please feel free to reach out to us.

Participation in this study is voluntary. During the bingo event, you will be asked to complete a short survey about your experience and perspectives on the bingo event. This survey will take no more than 10 minutes to complete. After the bingo event, you may also choose to participate in an optional semi-structured interview to share your thoughts in more detail. 

There is no cost to participate. Free bingo cards will be delivered or mailed to participants’ homes (along with bingo cards for a companion, if applicable). While there won’t be cash prizes for this bingo event, each older adult participant will receive $5 for attending the orientation session and $10 for taking part in the bingo event. They can also take part in an optional follow-up interview two weeks later, and if they do, they will receive an additional $10. Additionally, participants and companions will receive a small decorative bingo charm as a token of appreciation for participation.  

If you are interested and meet the above criteria, please follow the link below to the consent form. Once a completed consent form has been received, we will reach out to you to schedule an orientation session in Gather.

This research has been approved by the Research Ethics Board at the University of Manitoba, Fort Garry campus. If you have any concerns or complaints about this project you may contact any of the above-named persons or the Human Ethics Coordinator at 204-474-7122 or humanethics@umanitoba.ca.

To ask questions about this study, please email Simran Panthi: panthis@myumanitoba.ca or Dr. Celine Latulipe: celine.latulipe@umanitoba.ca.

Consent Forms

To participate in the study, as a participant, you need to be at least 50 years old. To participate in the study, as a companion to an older adult, you must be aged 18 or above and meet the other criteria listed above. If you are interested, please fill out the following consent form (if a companion is joining both the older adult and the companion must fill out forms and refer to each other in the forms). After you submit the form(s), we will reach out to you via the provided email address within 2 business days to schedule an orientation session: 

Consent form for older adults participants.

Consent form for companions.

Research Summary

Once the research study is complete a summary of the results will be posted here.