Laughter is the Best Medicine!
by Family Councils Ontario
“While you're laughing you’re not old and you’re never sick.” - Dr Bernie Segal, oncologist.
Long-Term Care is serious business. For caregivers having a relative move into a Long-Term Care Home is a huge life transition. New research has shown that the stress levels of caregivers, which are very high anyway, do not decrease by much once the person who is being cared for moves into Long-Term Care. In fact, stress levels often increase. Caregivers never stop caring and that means many experience continued stress, for reasons such as getting used to a new reality and concerns about how their loved one will be cared for now.
It is, of course, stressful for the person who enters Long-Term Care. It is a new life that includes new surroundings, new caregivers, new routines and congregate living all, of which is a shock for people.
It is not easy to see the bright or funny side of life in Long-Term Care but having fun and laughing can make life full and vibrant even in a Long-Term Care Home.
Positive humorous people make life worth living and laughing together implies shared experiences. Powerful bonds can be forged when humour is gentle and playful. A few minutes of laughter can shift a sad day into one of joy, even for a moment. And while laughter may not solve a problem it can make the moments easier and can help one see things in a different light.
There is also evidence that laughter provides stress relief and has both short and long term benefits to one’s health by stimulating organs, soothing tensions, boosting the immune system and even relieving pain.
All that being said, laughing with people and not at them is important and knowing the difference between what is a good joke and a bad one takes some discernment. But laughter is a universal language and can be a simple way to deepen relationships and reduce stress.
The easiest way to get more humour in your life is to insist on it – so begin asking people what makes them laugh. Ask people to tell you a funny story and remember the two major rules my father taught me - Anything worth telling is worth exaggerating and never let the truth get in the way of a good funny story!
And here is one of my favourite “Aunt Margaret” stories:
Aunt Margaret went through a period where she complained about everything in the Home. Nothing was ever right. One of her constant complaints was how her bed was made and I would often remake it having her instruct me on how she wanted it done. One day no matter how many times I folded and refolded the blankets and sheets she was not satisfied. Finally the ridiculousness of the situation got the better of me and I began to laugh and fell face down on the bed laughing. Perhaps it was the fact that I was exhausted or perhaps it was simply the stress of having my beloved Aunt so cranky and unhappy but whatever the cause I fell in to a fit of laughing. Suddenly, through my laughter, I heard her say – “Well I guess I am being silly” and suddenly she too was laughing along with me. We were laughing so hard the attendants came running into the room sure there was an emergency happening. With tears streaming down our faces my aunt and I laughed the afternoon away. My aunt never complained about her bed again and remembered the laughter for quite some time after even though she forgot what caused it. Shared laughter is one of the best memories of my Aunt. She just needed an opportunity to remember how to laugh. The shared laughter renewed our love for each other melting away tensions and fears and giving us a reprieve from some the daily care challenges we were facing together.
I encourage you to find the humour in all you do, to find ways to play together and fill your days with moments of joy!
- Lorraine