Elder Clowns – Humour Foundation

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Maecenas sed posuere ligula. Vestibulum ut erat vel ipsum sodales accumsan eu at dui. Donec et purus risus. In nec rutrum metus. Ut libero libero, gravida at lacus ut, molestie vestibulum augue. Vivamus aliquet massa est. Integer vestibulum imperdiet porttitor. In sit amet suscipit dolor. Nunc molestie semper sodales. Suspendisse nec scelerisque lacus, vel sodales ante. Nunc sagittis, orci at aliquet accumsan, enim dui dictum mauris, sollicitudin molestie justo odio vitae dolor. Proin tempor sem id ipsum tempus tincidunt. Cras et lectus ac ipsum hendrerit sagittis non lobortis neque.

Aliquam erat volutpat. Nulla rutrum eros quis lacus sodales luctus. Integer at ipsum id lorem tempor dignissim. In mollis viverra ligula, at cursus nulla bibendum vel. Morbi aliquam est eget mauris imperdiet euismod. Sed aliquam elit vel neque tincidunt, ac sagittis felis malesuada. Quisque dapibus lectus id sapien malesuada, id bibendum eros hendrerit. Sed consectetur mattis augue et dapibus. Ut placerat neque id ipsum pellentesque, in rutrum augue congue. Proin lacus sem, interdum et nibh id, sollicitudin gravida metus. Fusce sagittis nulla enim, ut bibendum felis aliquam id. In ut metus posuere, pretium quam non, laoreet ex.

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/customer/www/humourfoundation.com.au/public_html/wp-content/themes/humour-foundation/templates/page-services.php on line 73

Laughter Care is a world first program that addresses the psychosocial needs of a resident in a unique, person centred way. Laughter Care practitioners aim to engage, uplift and improve the quality of life of residents living with dementia.

From sharing a song from a bygone era, playfully seeking advice, or connecting over costumes and objects reminiscent of a more familiar time, practitioners enhance health, dignity and happiness for our elderly. By entering their world, Laughter Care Practitioners help residents maintain positive interactions during a time in their life often characterised by immense loss for both them and their families.

By working in partnership with facility staff and residents, the entire facility benefits – residents, staff and families.

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/customer/www/humourfoundation.com.au/public_html/wp-content/themes/humour-foundation/templates/page-services.php on line 73

CHURCHILL FELLOWSHIP

In 2012 David Symons (Artistic Director of The Humour Foundation) received a Churchill Fellowship to investigate Elder Clowns programs in Scotland, the Netherlands, Canada and the USA.

His findings are detailed in his Churchill Report available here

https://www.churchilltrust.com.au/fellows/detail/3662/David+Symons

Some of his key findings include:

Well-trained clowns have a powerful role to play in the psychosocial well-being of people living with dementia in aged care facilities.
Well-trained clowns do not infantilise people living with dementia. They affirm, empower, honour and delight these people. Doctors, nurses, care staff, activities coordinators and managers of aged care facilities are all amongst the people who see a significant role for clowns in the overall care of people with dementia.
Clown programs work most effectively when care staff receive thorough briefing and role play experience of a program prior to implementation and when management is clearly supportive of the program. Clown programs are also more effective when the clown visits are regular and frequent (at least weekly).
Care staff can significantly add to the well-being of people living with dementia in their facility when trained to incorporate performance principles into their work. Staff of aged care facilities also benefit from clown programs operating in their workplaces through the extra knowledge gleaned about residents by clowns and by the joy clowns bring to staff as well as residents.

Some comments about the Elder Clowns programs from staff within the facilities:

Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/customer/www/humourfoundation.com.au/public_html/wp-content/themes/humour-foundation/templates/page-services.php on line 73