Clowns, But Not as You Know Them

The residents of St Paul’s Aged Care in Northbridge have been welcoming a new type of visitor to their Home. They’re clowns, but not as you know them.

They are what is known as ‘Elder Clowns’. When they visit they bring their highly skilled professional ‘playfulness‘ and use all the tricks of a performer’s trade to engage with each resident: music, dancing, props, stories, improvising, characterisation and reminiscing. Clowning is an art form that invites play and engagement and is ideal for encouraging resident involvement.

The key to the use of humour with aged care residents is respect. Elder clowns are professionally trained performers, chosen for their sensitivity and empathy. They draw on the performance style and tradition of the Fool or European Clown – the sensitive clown.

Like Elder Clown Lula, who has been visiting St Paul’s on a weekly basis, visiting individual residents in their rooms and providing a group interactive performance at the end of her visit.

Lula and her fellow clown Daisy are members of an organisation called The Humour Foundation. It’s a world-first program that addresses the psychosocial needs of residents in a unique, person-centred way. The Elder Clowns undergo thorough training from The Humour Foundation to prepare them for the unique skills needed to engage effectively with people living in aged care.

Elder Clowns aim to engage, uplift and entertain. From sharing a song from a bygone era, playfully seeking advice, or connecting over costumes and objects reminiscent of a more familiar time, elder clowns enhance health, dignity and happiness.

Some of Lula’s friends at St Paul’s include Gaynor, Ivan and Eleanor.

Gaynor loves to reminisce with Lula about her time on the stage. Gaynor was an acclaimed amateur musical performer with many leading roles to her name and an album full of pictures and press clippings. By day she worked at the radio station 2GB but at night she transformed into a leading lady performing musicals such as Show Boat.

When Lula visits they break into song together, two professionals with a love for theatre and musicals. Before you can say ‘Ava Gardner’ they are singing hits from Show Boat and hamming it up for the camera.

Ivan, who grew up in Egypt, moved to Australia when he was 19 years’ old. Ivan was quite the dancer, regularly visiting The Trocadero nightclub in Sydney dancing to the foxtrot and enjoying big band jazz music.

Ivan loves having a dance with Lula. She puts on some music from the 1940s and together they ‘ballroom dance’ across the Trocadero dancefloor with Ivan taking the lead as he twirls Lula around.

Eleanor joins Lula and fellow resident Bernadine for a song and a chat outside in the autumn sun. It’s a ritual they enjoy doing every week when Lula visits.

“The Elder Clowns are very skillful at engaging with the residents,” says Jonathan Low, Residential Manager. “The aim is to let the residents discover the personality of the clowns, find common ground and connect.

“The Elder Clowns are guided by our Lifestyle and Activities Officer, who is given the role of Laughter Boss. The Elder Clown mentors the Laughter Boss so that once the program is complete, they will have the necessary skills and experience to carry on their work. It’s also great personal and professional development for staff.”

By working in partnership, the entire Home benefits – residents, staff and families.

“The keen engagement with which Lula and Daisy approach and elicit responses has brought light onto otherwise untold stories – stories remembered, relived and told by our residents.”

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