Laughter good medicine for dementia patients

Sydney: Laughter may be good medicine for elderly dementia patients -- and best of all, it doesn`t have side effects.

Australian humor therapist Jean-Paul Bell was originally a clown doctor working with sick children, but now he makes the elderly laugh through a programme called Play-Up.

Bell was also the key humor therapist in a Sydney-based study into the impact of humor therapy on mood, agitation, behavioral disturbances and social engagement in dementia patients, a study that showed those who took part seemed happier.

"The whole idea behind the Play-Up programme and what we`re doing at the Arts Health Institute is encouraging them to play more because we believe that they`ve got potential to keep playing right until you take your last breath," Bell said.

He set up the Arts Health Institute to train aged-care staff in fostering playful relationships with their patients, particularly those with dementia.   Read More

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