They say laughter is the best therapy and Jeanette Williams, Irene Ross and Chris Kelly are using it to improve the lives of residents at Uniting Koombahla Elermore Vale aged care service.
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Ms Williams and Ms Ross are lifestyle coordinators at the facility and have undergone ‘Laughter Boss’ training through the Humour Foundation.
Their slapstick, comedy and musical act is having positives results for residents who had previously been unresponsive.
Ms Williams describes the program they have been part of for the past two years as all about “spontaneity” and “being able to create a moment within the facility with the residents”.
“Basically this program is to spend time with people who generally don’t socialise or are isolated in their environment,” Ms Williams said.
“We go around and we offer some fun, some laughter, some comfort, some time. We just talk to them and listen to them.
“It does divert them from their trouble, their pain. We take to them to another place. A bit of music and a bit of laughter.”
She described it as activated rhythm and activated enlightenment.
“It takes them to a place of long ago and brings back those memories and they absolutely appreciate what Chris can do with a musical instrument and us two are clowns, a bit silly,” she said.
Mr Kelly is an Elder Clown from the Humour Foundation
Elder Clowns are highly skilled professional performers trained by The Humour Foundation to work in aged care and dementia facilities.
He has been amazed to see the transformation in residents over time.
“There is one man, he didn’t talk for 10 years … we just started making connections,” Mr Kelly said.
“Then we started playing songs he liked and he just started getting right into it.
“He went from not talking and looking very sad to joy when we start playing. We got him an egg shaker so he could participate in the band and he’s gone from that to singing the words.
“Each week was an increase in progress of his ability to communicate. It’s just brilliant.”
All three said they see a lot of “magic moments”.