Laughter is definitely the best medicine according to residents of an award-winning care home organisation.
As a means of relieving stress and bringing a bit more fun into the day-to-day lives of residents, laughter therapy sessions have been introduced at Pendine Park in Wrexham.
Artist in Residence, Sarah Edwards, who also oversees all therapeutic sessions, says research into various therapies shows that laughter has a positive effect on well-being as well as reducing stress.
She said: “Here at Pendine Park the well-being and welfare of our residents is very important to us and we are keen to offer stimulation as well as well as getting residents to interact with each other in a fun way.
“It’s great to see residents enjoying themselves and having lots of fun during the laughter therapy sessions.
“The benefits of putting these sessions on and involving as many residents as possible is there for all to see.”
“The elation you feel when you laugh is a great way of combating the physical effects of stress.
“When we laugh, our body relaxes and endorphins, which are natural painkillers, are released into the blood stream.
“I have been researching laughter and other therapies and we are looking to introduce a staff diploma which will recognise the value of these therapies on the well-being of the people we care for.
“We also use art and colour therapies and we have introduced a music project which is going really well too.”
“Here at Pendine Park we have a range of care homes catering for a whole range of needs – our youngest resident is just 19 while some of our older residents in other homes are over 100.
“We are developing and adapting our therapeutic sessions to suit the age range and abilities of all our residents.
Pendine Park’s Activities Manager, Gerry Humphreys, is also a big fan of the benefits of laughter therapy.
She said: “It’s important to keep our residents stimulated and what better way than having a side-splitting good old laugh.
“Most residents love joining in and some real enjoy dressing up for a bit of fun. However, others prefer to sit and watch and just have a quiet giggle which is fine too. No one is made to join in if they don’t want to.
“It’s also great to see staff joining in and enjoying the sessions too. It’s a great way of relieving stress. It’s great to hear laughter rolling around the unit.”
And residents Alan Hassall, 63, and Christine Ann Jones, 67, couldn’t agree more.
Alan became a permanent resident of Pendine Park’s Bryn Bella Unit three months ago.
He said: “I used to come here for respite before I moved in permanently. I love it, there is always something going on. It’s brilliant hearing all the laughter.
“If you’re not careful people can become like little islands, just sat on their own with only their own thoughts and memories. But when we get together and have lots of fun it’s nice to see people smiling and hearing lots of laughing.
“It’s great dressing up in daft costumes and having a giggle much better than sitting reading the paper or watching telly and everyone seems to enjoy joining in.”
Christine added: “Laughter is definitely what we need, no doubt about that, it’s really nice to see and hear people enjoying themselves. It’s definitely good fun dressing up and I have had a really good laugh. It makes you feel better.
“I have been a resident on the Bryn Bella Unit for 10 years now. I really like it here. We have plenty of trips out to places like Alyn Waters Country Park and the cinema and there is always something going on. It’s like home from home and I never get lonely.
“We were always told that laughter is the best medicine and it’s definitely true.”
