Laughter is often hailed as the best medicine, and for good reason. It has been shown to relieve stress, boost mood, and send feel-good vibes throughout the body. This is especially important for seniors, who may not have as many opportunities to laugh as they did when they were younger. To help bring a smile to their face, consider giving them access to the kind of comedy that they loved in their youth. Here are some tips for making this a successful and enjoyable experience.

What you'll need:
DVDs or access to digital comedy shows that you know someone will enjoy

The activity:

• Spend time with your senior comedy fan in a quiet space where they can relax and focus on the show.
• Help them get comfortable and ease them into the experience by gently touching their arm, sitting at eye level, and talking to them about what they're going to watch.
• Check in with them and be attentive to nonverbal cues to ensure they are comfortable and enjoying themselves.
• Start the show, making sure the screen is visible and the volume is at an appropriate level.
• Watch the show together and offer commentary to keep them engaged and feeling cared for.
• If they enjoyed the show, consider putting on another one once the first is finished.
• Wrap up the session by talking about what's coming up next, such as coffee or lunchtime.

Top tip:
Watching TV alone can be isolating, so encourage family and friends to join in on the fun. This will increase engagement and make the experience twice as enjoyable!