Comedians are being hired by the hour to help people with dementia in the US in a new trend proving as effective as medication in treating symptoms for some.
Laughter on Call is a California-based company that pairs comedians with people with dementia and Alzheimer’s for one-on-one visits at $25 and $50 an hour.
The company is the brainchild of Dani Klein Modisett, a former comedian who wanted to cheer up her mother Muriel in her aged care home.
Hiring a stand-up comedian to visit her mother for eight hours a week, Ms Modisett quickly noticed a difference in her mother who began eating and laughing again.
Laughter on Call now has around 25 comedians on its books and others are now catching on to the idea.
The group also puts on laughter workshops and live comedy shows in aged care homes who are also seeing the benefits.
Ms Modisett’s mother now has a regular stan-up companion, Marty Ross, 79 who says the pair have developed a special bond.
“I feel honoured to be doing this beautiful work and to be Muriel’s companion. When I get her to a full belly laugh, it really makes my heart sing.”
With studies showing that laughter can improve health, cut stress and help people live longer, it’s an idea we hope catches on here too.
