Care home life proves a hoot

The fun-loving folk living at two Fife care homes had a good chuckle by holding their own comedy club to celebrate World Laughter Day on Sunday.

Residents and team members at Benarty View in Kelty and Lunardi Court in Cupar took to the stage and shared their funniest jokes, stories and impressions to kick off the event Laughter & Sunshine, running in more than 150 Four Seasons’ care homes across the UK this month.

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 at Benarty View, Karen Bell, explained: “After the challenges of the last two years we decided it was time to celebrate the joy of laughter and the benefits it brings.

“Research says that children laugh on average 300 times a day but adults only 17, so we’ve got a lot of catching up to do.

“Sharing fun moments is a great way to connect with each other and laughter increases the release of feelgood endorphins, aids muscle relaxation and stimulates circulation which are all good for health and wellbeing.”

Resident Michael Allison, 78, said: “That was great fun.

“It’s amazing, I really didn’t know we had so many jokers living here, I’ve been laughing all afternoon.”

Another resident, Janet Tait, also 78, added: “They say laughter is the best medicine and I couldn’t agree more.

“Even though some of the jokes were terrible, as soon as other people started to laugh it set me off too.

“It was a lovely way to forget old age aches and pains.

“I’d say everyone should try and laugh more.”

COMIC: Phillip Pickles takes to the stage, left, as he and other residents join in the fun.