UW-River Falls' track and field team captain Cailyn Kuechle has youthful speed. Kuechle is the all-time Falcon record holder in the indoor 600-meter race, but the race with Father Time hasn't even entered her head yet.  

The Sycamore senior living center in River Falls had opposite ends of the adult spectrum entrenched in BINGO on this early April day.   

Kuechele and about 20 of her UWRF track teammates were easy to distinguish with their easy strides, red and black T-shirts, and melanin-rich hair color. The Sycamore’s residents, most of which were about 60 to 70 years older than their volunteer guests, were donning bird sweaters, flannels, and walkers.

One group grew up with Taylor Swift and Justin Bieber, the other group was Frank Sinatra and Elvis.

BINGO was their common denominator.  

"It's new this year," said Kuechele, "We do things together (as a team) every month to help support the community. The more we're engaged in the community, the more engaged the community is with us (UWRF Athletic program)."

"I try to get down here every Wednesday for BINGO," said Sycamore resident Ardyce Bray just before she yelled, "BINGO!"

Bray raised her arms in triumph and then received a snack for her win. It was on to game number two.  

"I'm trying to match their energy," said track team co-captain and volunteer BINGO caller Cory Pfeifer. "It's a big deal."

Three years ago, when Pfeifer was a freshman on the track team, there were about 20 people on the team. He said those numbers have doubled in his senior year.

"That has made it a lot easier to do volunteer projects like this every month."

"I like that we have Vanna White here holding the numbers up in case we can't hear," said Sycamore resident Gloria Wachtler.

"We love it when the young kids come," said BINGO buddy Donna Andrle.

"It's sometimes hard to get the men out for things," said Sycamore Outreach and Sales Director Megan Harstad. "They (the resident men) come for happy hour twice a week and show up 30 minutes early to get their seat at the bar, but the men really liked it when the UWRF football team came before homecoming. They loved talking football."

Harstad said CVTC students volunteer with Sycamore residents baking, playing pool, and exercising.

The Sycamore, which opened in June 2023, is filled to capacity with 107 residents that include independent living, assisted living, and memory care.

"The residents say it's like a cruise ship that never leaves port," said Harstad, who is playing the role of Cruise Director "Julie" from The Love Boat with scheduling social activities. 

Harstad says many new residents will tell her they have no hobbies, no interests, and aren't very social. She said many had been living by themselves for quite a while and most no longer had driver's licenses and have been isolated.

"And then a month or two in," said Harstad, "they are the first one out for BINGO socializing. That's my favorite part. They need that socialization. It's very important, maybe the most important."

The majority of residents are from River Falls, Prescott, and Ellsworth.

"Their stories are so great," said Harstad. “Many of them were community leaders in our local towns 30 years ago.”  

"B-15, B-15," yelled Pfeifer continuing his volunteer duties.

The Sycamore is owned and operated by Ebenezer Management Company. They are the largest senior living management company in Minnesota. The almost two-year old facility in River Falls is their first in Wisconsin and comes complete with a director of nursing, two registered nurses, and close to 20 certified nursing assistants.

"Our CNA's (certified nursing assistants) during the school year are mostly CVTC nursing students, but during the summer, the local kids going to school for nursing at other colleges come back home and work here during the summer," said Harstad.

The Sycamore has a waiting list of about 40 people. It's a similar problem not only in River Falls but nationwide.

"Oh yeah, definitely," said Harstad.

According to a Harvard study, the US population over 65 grew by 34 percent to 58 million from 2012 to 2022. In 2025, the oldest baby boomers will be turning 79, just below the average age of those requiring assisted living care needs. The need is expected to increase. The city of River Falls is expected to have a need for close to 700 additional senior living units by 2030 according to a recent City of River Falls demographic study on the subject. 

With the demand increasing and supply staying relatively stagnant according to the National Investment Center (NIC.org), the cost for senior housing will likely be increasing.

According to the same Harvard study, from 1989 to 2022, the share of homeowners aged 65 to 79 with a mortgage increased 17 percent; however, the averaged debt per mortgage increased by 400 percent. In 1989, the average mortgage debt of someone 65 or older was $21,000 in 1989. The average mortgage debt in 2022 for those over age 65 was $110,000. Thirty percent of homeowners age 80 and over now carry mortgages, up from 3 percent 30 years ago.

According to those statistics, creative mortgage products for senior living residents may become an increasing concern.

The last called Bingo number of the day may have been the most symbolic, concerning additional senior living units in Pierce County.   

"B-4, B-4,” said Pfeifer.

“B-4” the waiting lists are in the hundreds.    

BINGO.