Humor in the “Twilight Zone”

Abstract

Medical clowning has been primarily identified with working with children in pediatrics wards in hospitals. Over the past decade, more and more medical clowns have been working with adults and with patients with dementia as part of holistic care. Along with traditional medical care by hospital staff, the medical clown treats the patient’s emotional side. Furthermore, medical clowning has unique advantages in working with patients with dementia. Several studies have shown that humor assists in improving the quality of life of patients with dementia. The clown, as the ultimate comic figure, creates interactions with patients based on humor, which empowers, calms, and strengthens the patient while reinforcing the patient’s connection with the surroundings. Medical clowning is an interdisciplinary therapeutic art, and the medical clown has a “kit” of multiple skills (including humor, drama, music, and dance), all of which have a beneficial, therapeutic impact on patients. The current article presents and analyzes case studies from my work as a medical clown with patients with dementia.