Program 1 - Humor and Health¹

"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine; but a broken spirit drieth the bones."
                                                                                          The Book of Proverbs (17:22)

Presenter Introduction

Why Humor?

By adding humor, the presenter can more easily approach a difficult subject. Within an environment of humor and lightness, older adults may feel more comfortable exploring their own experiences with depression and anxiety. Humor ripens the learning moment for teaching appropriate ways to address concerns about depression and anxiety.

The use of humor has been an important tool for therapists for many years. Even professionals who are not licensed therapists can use it effectively.

Five main beliefs of this program are:

1. The professional-client relationship includes the freedom to be humorous.
2. Therapeutic humor is life-affirming.
3. Therapeutic humor increases cohesion among participants.
4. Therapeutic humor is interactive. No person is the target of humor.
5. Therapeutic humor reduces stress.²

"Talking about depression can be, well, depressing," according to Carla Esser Lake of Condell Health Network.³ Many professionals have encountered this paradox in their efforts to broach the subject of depression with their older adult clients. Research on marketing to older adults indicates that the use of humor is effective in advertising, and has been found to motivate them in rehabilitation compliance.⁴

Psychologist Abraham Maslow believed that a high maturity level is achieved when people adopt a more comedic view of life and that mature individuals can extract mirth from everyday situations. Absurd humor, clever wordplay, and self-deprecating asides are the most potent forms of humor that attract older adults. Sarcasm and jokes made at another's expense are more popular with younger adults, but are more likely to backfire if used with an older audience. If used appropriately, humor can aid attentiveness, comprehension and recall. Inappropriate humor can overshadow your message as entertainment rather than education.⁵

Depression is a serious topic, but seriousness does not mean you can't have fun teaching this class or have fun with the participants. The presenter can make or break the spirit of the program. Remember that using humor with older adults and clients does not mean you are a comedian. The role of a comedian is to entertain. The role of a professional who works with older adults is to improve their quality of life.

Consider these four guides for using humor:

1. Forcing humor removes genuineness from the situation and alienates the participant. Be honestly positive and good-humored, and encourage an environment for humor.
2. Feel comfortable laughing and having fun with this topic.
3. Remember that humor is subjective, and what is funny to some may be offensive to others. Supportive humor, rather than mocking, sarcastic, political or religious humor, is more likely to complement the subject of your humor-and-depression course.
4. Rather than being funny, support and appreciate the humor of the participants.

If you have administrators who disapprove or think you shouldn't have fun dealing with the topic of depression, explain the positive role humor can play in educating others about depression!

How Do You Prepare for the Talk?

Prepare yourself for the presentation by creating an atmosphere for humor using:

• Music - Find songs, such as "I Love to Laugh" from Mary Poppins
• Funny posters and cartoons - Clip cartoons
• Comedy routines from the past - Find old pictures

Conduct a quick survey of what is funny to this population. Humor can vary by region, culture and ethnicity.

• Ask a random sample of the target population what they find funny
• Ask key community leaders for advice and suggestions

Read and process the book You're Only Old Once by Dr. Seuss, or a humorous culturally appropriate story. Make sure the story makes the point that humor is a tool that an older adult can use to cope with life changes that come with aging.

Become familiar with the experience of Norman Cousins in approaching healing with humor. Be aware of his discovery of the health benefits of humor, such as:

• Improving mental functioning
• Exercising and relaxing muscles
• Improving respiration
• Stimulating circulation
• Decreasing stress hormones
• Increasing the immune system's defenses
• Increasing production of endorphins
• Killing common viruses and bacteria

Be aware of the potential psychological benefits of humor, such as:

• Reduced anxiety
• Reduced tension
• Reduced stress
• Reduced depression
• Reduced loneliness
• Improved self-esteem
• Restored hope and energy
• A sense of empowerment and control

¹ This program is adapted from the successfully presented program developed by Bent Hill, Salt Lake County (Utah) Healthy Aging Program, with his permission.

² Richman, J. (1995) "The Lifesaving Function of Humor with the Depressed and Suicidal Elderly." The Gerontologist 35(2):271-73.

³ Condell Health Network (2003) "The Many Faces of Depression." Retrieved June 27, 2003, from Healing Well on the World Wide Web: http://www.healingwell.com/library/depression/article.asp?author-esserlake&id=3.

⁴ Resnick, B.J. (Spring 1996) Nursing School 28(1):41-45.

⁵ Wolfe, D.B. (July 1998) "Boomer Humor." American Demographics.