LAUGHTER CARE
IN HOSPITALS
Australia’s ageing population is growing rapidly, and with it, the need for holistic, person -centred care.
Older adults admitted to public hospitals often face complex health challenges compounded by emotional distress, loneliness, and disconnection. Traditional clinical care can overlook these psychosocial needs, leaving patients feeling dehumanised and powerless. This is exacerbated in times of transition and uncertainty, for example, for aged care patients stranded in hospital beds or care awaiting a residential aged care placement.
In response, our ambition has been to develop a therapeutic healthcare clowning model that enhances wellbeing, connection, and quality of care for older Australians in public hospital settings.
Laughter Care in Hospital Structure
In this context, our goals are to:
- Enhance quality of care and patient wellbeing
- Build connections between patients, families, carers, and healthcare worker
- Increase feelings of hope, dignity, and empowerment
Laughter Care Specialists work in close partnership with each hospital to determine where the program will be delivered, ensuring it responds to local needs and priorities. As with our Clown Doctors program, delivery is tailored to each setting, recognising that every hospital environment is different.
While Laughter Care is not limited to any one type of unit, it is commonly delivered in areas such as geriatric evaluation and management units and rehabilitation units. These settings often support patients experiencing dementia, cognitive decline, social isolation, and complex psychosocial needs – key focus areas of the Laughter Care program.
Hospital environments where patients have longer stays, sometimes spanning weeks or months, provide ideal opportunities for therapeutic engagement. In these settings, Laughter Care Specialists help reduce feelings of fear, anxiety, and isolation by fostering meaningful, person‑centred connection.
The program also complements group‑based activities, such as rehabilitation programs and movement or voice groups, by enhancing the emotional atmosphere and encouraging participation. While one‑to‑one engagement remains central to the program, Laughter Care can flexibly support both individual and group experiences where appropriate.
We conduct weekly visits, starting the cycle with a duo of Laughter Care Specialists followed by a series of five solo visits. The cycle then repeats with another duo visit.
A 5-hour duo visit includes:
- Preparation and Pre-brief (30 minutes) – with staff to identify priority wards and patients and/or any matters the Laughter Care Specialist/s needs to be aware of during their interactions. This briefing ensures the program is delivered to those patients who need it most
- Patient interactions (4 hours) – predominantly 1-on-1 interactions with patients determined in consultation with the designated staff contact person on the ward.
- Debrief (30 minutes) – with staff to communicate any observations made by the Laughter Care Specialist during their interactions. Again, the intention is to maximise the ongoing benefits for your patients and your staff through open dialogue and communication.
A 4-hour solo visit:
- As above although with fewer patient interactions (3 hours)
