Who to contact in Hospitals?

[Reddy R. Knott]

My wife and I are both clowns and LOVE to bring laughter into hospitals and nursing homes. Can anyone share thier strategy for contacting someone in either type of venue to get started?

Thanks

Reddy

[Scruffy]

Most hospitals have a volunteer coordinator Who handles this stuff. It might also require a background check be done. They might have an activity director who handles that stuff.

[Reddy R. Knott]

Thank you sir

[Pickles]

Usually hospitals have a volunteer orientation that you would have to complete, which covers everything from security issues to infection control and hospital policy. You will also have to have a TB test.

Nursing homes are much more relaxed. My experience has been that nursing homes are desperate for entertainment. There are so many residents in nursing homes who never get visitors, so usually if you call the nursing home activity director, he or she will be overjoyed to have you stop by. That's not to say that the hospitals don't appreciate volunteer clowns; they do. There are just several steps you have to take before you can start volunteering in a hospital setting.

Both hospital and nursing home clowning are so rewarding. Good luck!

[Scruffy]

Word about hospital clowning......

It is vital that if you are going to clown at hospitals and or nursing homes. You MUST take care of your self. You need to take vitamins, perhaps have flu shots, Carry hand sanitizer and use it. In many places you are not allowed physical contact with the patients/ residents. Also known as infection control.
In such environments it is vital that germs be kept in check. The last thing they want is something infectious being spread. also if you aren't feeling up to snuff on the day of the activity then don't go!
Also, many hospitals and homes have now banned latex due to allergies; So you won't be able to twist balloons!It is important that you find these things out before you go.
Cheers,
Scruffy

[Bonkers #361]

Very True Scruffy. I have wanted once me and Suitcase get this band going to go to nursing homes and perform in their dining room where they can come and go if they want. I use to do that as Geoffrey Giraffe when I was a mascot. I would do something usally around 20 - 30 min and if anyone came up to me afterword they coupld pet me or something. One Nursing home near me is like great because they have a activities room complete with lights and a elevated stage.

[Cubby T. Clown & Cuddles]

Cubby and I try to stop in to our local hospital as often as we can, usually right after a show as we are already in costume. It is fortunate that I happen to work in our hospital so we have never had to apply through volunteer services. (I guess they allow Cubby to come in as he is always escorted by me.)

Volunteer services is the department that would usually handle clowns, I think. A volunteer application would have to be filled out and I believe a background check is done. All volunteers have to fill out health forms and get vaccinated for Hepatitis as well as receive a TB test. A picture ID is worn by all hospital employees as well as volunteers. All volunteers get a booklet on policies and procedures, attend a meeting to discuss the highpoints of the book, as well as get a tour of the hospital.

We always stop at the nurses station on each floor and ask which patients would like a visit from Cubby and Cuddles. Sometimes the nurses, if they are not too busy, will go in ahead and ask the patient. Otherwise, I will stand in the doorway and ask permission to enter.

At our hospital we have hand sanitizer at the enterance to each room. We always use it.

The nurses are not allowed to tell us what is wrong with the patients due to patient confidentiality concerns. We always ask the nurses if we can use our feather duster or if we have a palmed squeaker, if it is ok to touch (examine) the patient (with the patient's permission, of course.) Another prop that's great here is the stethoscope with the plunger at one end! Sometimes we bring candy - and, again, we check with the nurses before offering it to the patient.

We don't do balloon animals because of the latex thing but we do occasionally blow up a glove and draw a face on it. Hmmm... maybe there's something I could twist from a glove?

A few fractured nursery rhymes, a spongeball trick or two, a pat on the hand and maybe a hug and we're on our way to the next room.

It doesn't matter if the patient is a child or not. Many of the eldery patients don't get many visitors and appreciate the company - if only for a short while. (This applies to nursing homes, too.)

We always come away from the hospital with a feeling that we were genuinely appreciated.

~Cuddles~

[CheckerZ]

I think I'm going to contact the local hospitals tomorrow and see if I could volunteer. Thanks Chubby and Cuddles, you make me want to volunteer even more!!!

[Pickles]

Originally Posted by Cubby T. Clown & Cuddles

We don't do balloon animals because of the latex thing but we do occasionally blow up a glove and draw a face on it. Hmmm... maybe there's something I could twist from a glove?

Sometimes I grab a glove and say I'm going to make some balloon animals. I try to blow a little air in it, then:

hold it on top of my head: a rooster

hold it with one hand and try to milk it with the other: cow's udder

dangle it around spastically: a jelly fish

(you have to use your imagination!)

[Mr. Dazzle]

I've been in contact with the coordinator for our local nursing home for several years. They often call me and ask for members of my church to visit and sing hymms for entertainment. This summer I'm planning on calling the Coordinator and asking if it will be ok to let "Dr. Smiles" make his premier visit.

I'm planning on making a 'Comedy Stethescope' with an old toy stethescope that came with my costume Drs. Kit and replace the "round thingy" with a New/Clean rubber plungerhead.

I'll also keep plenty of stickers in my pocket... and I've got a Dr/Nurse puppet that I'll carry with me that I call Dr./Nurse Feelbetter.

I LOVE the Glove/'Balloon Animals" that Pickles Mentioned... lol... How creative!!!