Nursing home and Hospital Clowning

[twinklestheclown]

I want to start clowning in the nursing homes and hospitals. I have thought and thought how to do this.
I wonder how do I approach the elderly and the reaction I will get. Many years ago I worked in Nursing home and you have such a variety of illness, altimerzers, depression, dementia, and just am stomped here because I wonder if I would offend them coming as a clown or is it better to visit as a regular person.
I want to bring joy but I want to show respect and dignity.
I think maybe just putting on a small event in the lobby area and the ones that want to attend can come.
Any advise would be so helpful.
I am sad to say I have called several hospitals in Atlanta to work with children and they will not allow me in as the red nose relief does the gigs for these hospitals.

[saphireSue]

Have you consider contacting those involved in the Red nose Relief. I would be a great way to get some experience with those that do it on a regular basis. As far as nuring homes go, the reactions I have, with residents has always been positive. Here they perfer for us to go to the dinning room. We let them know when we're coming and they usually already have the residents that want to come in there waiting for us. I work with a youth group, so we usually will do a few skits, sing some old song we know they usually know then split up and go around for one on one time, jokes, puppets, Balloon hats. Hey I'm an adult and like to have a good time and like the circus and clown, and I expect to have this like even as I get older so why wouldn't they. Also with it set up this way only the ones that want to come attend and other that aren't interest don't. Usually it's a pretty good crowd. It 's nice to have some amplification though as many are hard of hearing. Now some will not even appear to know what's going on and their families have rolled them in, but you never know what's going on in their heads. Usually I go my local nursing home. Joyful heart reviewed some tips for Hospital and nuring home visits and we will be going to the VA next month with her.

[Alex]

I did a lot of nursing home work when I clowned. The elderly folks really enjoy it. Many have bulletin boards in their room and if you give them a sticker they stick it on the board and cherish that thing and show all of their visitors that a clown came to see them. . . I wouldn't bring too much with you to the hospital/nursing home as props and such. . .You need to keep your props sterilized, so bring stuff that is easy to clean.

I used my "Brief Case" made of a pair of tighty-whities with the leg holes sewn shut. I had a roll of toilet paper and called it "discharge paper," and some stickers. The staff thought it was hilarious and the residents/patients also enjoy it.

Most of the time, the people in the nursing home just want to talk. Just talk to them. They don't care WHO their visitor is, they care that they HAVE a visitor.

Sorry, I am not a pro at the hospital thing, but that's what I got. . .

[Alex]

Also, I would keep your costume simple your makeup should be lighter. . . I wore my costume with a doctor jacket and it worked. . .Maybe get one of those doctor light things that they wear on their heads, or a nurse costume? Just a couple ideas

[Special K'z]

Twinkles,
I'm sure you know that nursing home residents "need" clowns just like everybody else. Don't let a bad experience in a particular nursing home shy you away. I would contact the activity director first. If they don't have that title try social worker, charge nurse, or administrator and ask to be placed on their "activity calendar".
Do you play an instrument? If so a good set of sing-a-long songs are always a great idea. Songs like "She'll be coming round the Mountain, My Bonnie lies over the Ocean, The Old Gray Mare, I've Been Working on the Railroad, Clementine, Buffalo Gals" I could name hundreds. Music is a great equalizer (wait -I'm repeating myself -didn't someone else just say I hate it when I do that).
First of all don't be afraid of Alzheimers or any other aging condition, people are people first and foremost. The staff will be there to help, protect, and inform you if there are "special considerations" that you need to follow. You need to form a good relationship with the "activity director". I used to be one and 99% of them are "crying' for people like you to come in and run an activity. Just ask questions and let them know your avaliablity and your concerns if you're worried about anything or wondering something. If you have anymore questions you can ask me off list. I also worked in an Alzheimers unit. You go Girl! Power to the Clown People!

[twinklestheclown]

Originally Posted by saphireSue

Have you consider contacting those involved in the Red nose Relief. I would be a great way to get some experience with those that do it on a regular basis. As far as nuring homes go, the reactions I have, with residents has always been positive. Here they perfer for us to go to the dinning room. We let them know when we're coming and they usually already have the residents that want to come in there waiting for us. I work with a youth group, so we usually will do a few skits, sing some old song we know they usually know then split up and go around for one on one time, jokes, puppets, Balloon hats. Hey I'm an adult and like to have a good time and like the circus and clown, and I expect to have this like even as I get older so why wouldn't they. Also with it set up this way only the ones that want to come attend and other that aren't interest don't. Usually it's a pretty good crowd. It 's nice to have some amplification though as many are hard of hearing. Now some will not even appear to know what's going on and their families have rolled them in, but you never know what's going on in their heads. Usually I go my local nursing home. Joyful heart reviewed some tips for Hospital and nuring home visits and we will be going to the VA next month with her.

thank you so much, good ideas

[twinklestheclown]

Just love you guys. Your are a blessing to me daily.

[StuartPid]

You want to contact the nursing home and talk to their activities director. There was one gal that I talked to and she told me their philosophy is "vegetation is in the ground and until you get there you are going to be active and doing something" they did all kinds of activities it was great.

[Special K'z]

I like that vegetation thing. Can I use it?

[StuartPid]

I dont see why not. it was just a saying she used