Residents host ‘comedy club’ day for a laugh
Residents have been having a jolly time at a care home in Bath.
The fun-loving folk living at Ivybank House, off Entry Hill, have been enjoying a good chuckle by holding their own comedy club to celebrate World Laughter Day earlier this month.
Residents and team members took to the stage and shared their funniest jokes, stories and impressions to kick off the event Laughter and Sunshine, which is running in all Brighterkind care homes across the UK during May.
Some of the activities residents can take part in include Laughter Yoga sessions, listening to local children’s favourite jokes and enjoying performances by visiting comedians and singers.
The homes’ Magic Moments coordinators are also putting together Happiness Handbooks full of residents’ own tips and ideas to bring laughter and sunshine into older life.
Top tips so far include: “Think about the most embarrassing thing that happened to you when you were young and I’m sure you’ll laugh about it now” and “Try singing Bring Me Sunshine and doing the Morecambe and Wise silly walk; it never fails to make me feel cheery”.
Home manager Marta Szemborska explained: “Sharing fun moments is a great way to connect with each other and laughter increases the release of feel-good endorphins, aids muscle relaxation and stimulates circulation which are all good for health and wellbeing.”
Resident Michael Allison, 78, said: “I really didn’t know we had so many jokers living here, I’ve been laughing all afternoon.”
Fellow resident Janet Tait, also 78, added: “They say laughter is the best medicine and I couldn’t agree more.”