Laughter is a natural and essential part of life. It happens spontaneously and unconsciously. Whether you’re howling with laughter or giggling quietly, laughter does you good!
Beyond the immediate pleasure it brings, laughter is a powerful force with lasting effects on our well-being. It offers a host of benefits that are worth exploring, especially for seniors.
Why Laughter is a Potent Remedy
Laughter doesn't just lift your spirits; it also triggers physical changes in your body. Scientifically proven to bolster your immune system, ease stress, and stimulate various organs, laughter is indeed a powerful antidote to life's challenges.
While a good sense of humor may not cure all ailments, there is mounting evidence supporting the many positive effects of laughter. The best part? It's infectious and completely free!
Cultivating Humor in Long-Term Care
In long-term care facilities, seniors may lack the stimulation needed for a cheerful mindset. Establishing a culture of humor and laughter is beneficial for all, but it's essential to include a variety of amusing activities in your routine to cater to diverse tastes. Laughter is a universal language that can brighten everyone's day.
10 Benefits of Laughter
There are so many benefits of laughter! It is known to:
- Relieve tension
- Promote teamwork
- Build trust
- Inspires a sunny outlook
- Remove barriers between people
- Increase motivation
- Improve memory
- Strengthen the immune system
- Lower blood pressure
- Improve alertness and creativity
12 Ways to Harness the Power of Laughter
1. Craft a Laughter Basket
Utilize a wicker basket to gather humorous tidbits. Fill it with jokes, funny sayings on paper, masks, silly toys, clown noses, Groucho glasses, rubber noses, and noisemakers. Encourage residents, as well as their families and visitors, to reach into the Laughing Basket throughout the day, sharing a laugh and spreading joy.
2. Share Jokes
Bring a smile to residents' faces by sharing jokes, tongue twisters, or investing in a joke book suitable for all occasions.
Related: Jokes to Share and Tongue Twisters
3. Engage in Fun Group Games
4. Staff Dancing on Cue
Strike a deal with staff to spontaneously dance whenever certain songs like "The Macarena" or "The Chicken Dance" play. Play these tunes several times a day when residents are present to spark impromptu dance sessions.
5. Themed Days
Host theme day parties where everyone dresses and acts according to the chosen theme, creating a lively atmosphere.
Related: Theme Day Activity Ideas
6. Sing Along to Happy Music
Songs for Seniors is a wonderful activity submitted by Joanne with lyrics to 80 songs for the elderly! You can find music to accompany the songs for a singalong on YouTube.
7. Embrace Silly Moments
Encourage staff to juggle balls or don silly hats and noses to evoke laughter among residents.
8. DIY Horoscopes
Organize a group of residents, volunteers, and staff to craft humorous horoscope profiles tailored to individual residents. It's sure to bring smiles and laughter to their faces. e.g.
ARIES
Romance is in the air today, just north of the staff room. Be warned that Scorpio singled you out for a cake-to-face altercation... Aries are gentle people prone to meddling in other people’s affairs. Heaven knows what will happen to you if you don't sing 'Three Times a Lady' at the next Residents Meeting. But don't despair, gossip has it that your cheating won't be discovered and your ex is planning a comeback.
9. Cartoon Viewing
Screen old cartoons or animated series known for their humor. Cartoons can evoke nostalgia and laughter.
10. Create Paper Fortune Tellers
Craft paper fortune tellers with hidden messages, a nostalgic game that many will remember from their childhood.
Related: How to Make a Paper Fortune Teller
11. Invite Children to Play
Watching babies or children play can be heartwarming and bring joy and laughter to residents.
12. Funny Movie Nights
Host regular movie nights featuring classic comedies or lighthearted films. Popcorn and a cozy setting can make it a fun and communal experience.
Incorporating these activities into your regular program can foster a joyful and lively atmosphere, enhancing the overall quality of life for seniors in long-term care facilities. Laughter truly is the best medicine, and by promoting it, we can contribute to the well-being of our cherished senior residents.
We'd love to hear your feedback!
What activities do you find to work well to stimulate laughter?
I work on a very advanced dementia unit,where many cannot walk,are non converse & physically unable to participate in ball games,board games,arts & crafts. I'm struggling with what to do,it's beginning to stress me. My manager insists these people will sit and chat,many do not sit for more than approximately 5 minutes useless their asleep. Help is needed,
Many thanks Wendy.
Get some bubbles and balloons and I use a disco light where they can see all the swirling lights on the wall no strobing though ,with soft relaxing music .
Hi, Wendy
Here is an example of what you can do for Activities
Remember, you are the facilitator so you have to do most of the work
Start by introducing everyone in the group one by one and say what their favorite some thing is if they piped in and tell you what it is, that would be great
You could say by the way they look or smiling or something whatever they’re doing you know their favorite is what you know they like
And then do the group whatever it might be singing or sensory and go to each person individually, perhaps squeeze her hand or rub their shoulder and say OK I think we’re going to sing the person’s favorite song and then you may be singing it yourself or maybe some will join in
Using props is great too. You could pass them around or see if one person could pass some thing to another person do simple things in the group say if you doing exercise, go around individually and move their arm up and down whatever the exercise you’re doing again when they do something complement complement complement.
Think of it like a performance where you’re doing most of the performing and hope fully some of the residents will join in you could play a simple card game like red or black or who can pick the highest number
Then to end the group thank everyone for participating in, may want to go around the group and say something nice about each person and what they did that was really good again compliment, compliment, compliment
The group should last about a half an hour, then take a break
Hi Wendy
I suggest sensory activities and music activities
https://www.goldencarers.com/sensory-stimulation-for-dementia-care/4184/
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-plan-music-activities-for-dementia-care/3192/
I have found that persons with Advanced dementia show small subtle signs you are reaching them maybe a smile
You may have to do one to one within a group
Find out what each person reacts to, and address them individually, but related to the whole group
Often you have to be the facilitator and express what you think they are thinking
You need to try to include everyone be excited about what you are doing. Tried to engage everyone.and be enthusiastic
You might want to try that simple game, https://www.goldencarers.com/red-or-black-card-game/7051/ but remember you are the facilitator so after each one has a turn make sure you make a big deal of it
i work at an assisted memory facility and need help with ideas for activities thankyou Maria
Hi Maria
I have been to several facilities where their activity department was a mess and I had to start from scratch
The first thing I did was to come in before I actually started and talked to some of the residents
Are they willing to let you do that??
Here are some sample calendars
https://www.goldencarers.com/sample-activities-calendars/3881/
If you have any specific questions please let know you need to know the residents abilities and their likes dislikes Here is an article about getting reluctant residents to participate
Here is an article about that
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-get-reluctant-residents-to-attend-activities/5980/
I think music activities work well
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-plan-music-activities-for-dementia-care/3192/
Hi Maria
I have been to several facilities where their activity department was a mess and I had to start from scratch
The first thing I did was to come in before I actually started and talked to some of the residents
Are they willing to let you do that??
Here are some sample calendars
https://www.goldencarers.com/sample-activities-calendars/3881/
If you have any specific questions please let know you need to know the residents abilities and their likes dislikes Here is an article about getting reluctant residents to participate
Here is an article about that
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-get-reluctant-residents-to-attend-activities/5980/
I think music activities work well
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-plan-music-activities-for-dementia-care/3192/
I love the ideas you guys suggest in here I fine them entertaining as well as invigorating keep up the great work you are doing
Hi all
Thank you for your kind words and great suggestions
Thank you so much for your feedback Dennis!
This is a wonderful help for people with dementia. I work with Alzheimer's and dementia patients and this is such a terrific way to put a smile on the people's faces every day.
Thank you!!
Do a little groucho Mark's bit
Hi Amy
Thanks for your suggestions I am sure they will make people laugh
Watch John Mulaney in Kid Gorgeous at radio city music hall. Minimal curse words. Nothing too weird for the generational gap.. laughs from 30 to 80
New craft fun ideas for Senior citizens
Yes Eta
Laughter is the best medicine and golden Carers has many activities to make residence laugh
These are great ideas indeed. I’ll give it a go and I know that my wonderful residents will love these new things that I just saw. Thank you golden carers.
HI! Thank you very much for the feedback. It is really appreciated.
Useful and some great activities ideas thanks for sharing .
Thanks for your feedback Fanua!
Would love to read more suggestions on ways to encourage more seniors to participate in the activities here at work
Hi Paty, here are some articles you may find helpful:
https://www.goldencarers.com/how-to-motivate-residents-in-long-term-care/3742/
https://www.goldencarers.com/10-ways-to-increase-activity-participation/4133/
Great ideas! Thank you for sharing this!
As I liked this article very much I forwarded it to three persons connected with elder care in dementia care facility. All of them appreciated it. One of them is a gerontologist running a day care facility. Thanks for useful tips.
Thank you for your feedback!
Once again golden carers have practical ideas that bring inspiration to us all who work in aged care. Thanks golden carers for providing and sharing your knowledge.
Thanks so much Debbie, your feedback is much appreciated!
Another one to add is visiting animals especially young animals if appropriately behaved. :) So many smiles! :)
Absolutely! Thanks Jessica!
I am certainly going to do these activities on my next shift. I can't thank enough to golden carers for all the ideas and tips been launched regularly. Since I become member of this site I am so glad that I can bring smile and joy to my clients. Now more laughter and giggles will spread in the AIR!!
Thank you so much for your feedback Geeta, it is so much appreciated!