Laughter Care Workshop: Elevating Social Care in Aged Care Homes
At The Humour Foundation, we believe in the power of laughter and connection to enhance well-being, especially in aged care settings. That’s why we’ve been collaborating with Deborah Keys, CEO of Bankstown City Aged Care, to develop training that empowers staff with the skills to improve social care alongside physical care.
With the new Aged Care Standards requiring more daily care minutes per resident, aged care homes are seeking meaningful ways to equip staff to engage more deeply with those they care for. The challenge, however, is ensuring that training doesn’t just tick a compliance box but truly ‘sticks’—transforming everyday interactions and making a lasting impact.
Real Impact, Real Change
Enter our Laughter Care Artistic Associate, Paul Wilson, who recently delivered the first phase of this training: a series of four two-hour workshops that uniquely integrated both staff and high-care residents. The response? Overwhelmingly positive.
- Revitalised Connections: Staff reported a deeper sense of satisfaction and joy in their work, having learned new ways to connect with residents beyond routine care tasks.
- Transformational Moments: One simple yet powerful outcome was a resident—who had previously refused to eat—now engaging in meals, thanks to staff applying specific engagement techniques.
- A Culture Shift: A heartwarming comment from a resident summed up the transformation: “What’s going on? The staff are treating me better!”
A follow-up workshop several weeks later confirmed that staff were consistently using their new skills, proving that the training had a lasting effect.
What’s Next?
Building on this success, the next phase of our Laughter Care training will focus on workshops designed for staff and residents in the Memory Support Unit. We’re eager to explore how these techniques can be adapted to support those living with dementia, further enriching lives through meaningful engagement.
Through initiatives like these, we’re not just bringing laughter where it is unexpected, yet most needed—we’re fostering real human connection in aged care. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue this journey of joyful transformation.
To learn more about our Laughter Care program or speak to our Laughter Care team about bringing Laughter Care into your aged care facility, please contact janelle.lewis@humourfoundation.org.au
