Aeralife Northpoint’s Memory Support Unit (MSU) and Laughter Care™ program are helping dementia residents like Ursula to transform their lives. Thanks to this program, those living with dementia find purpose, happiness and confidence, while strengthening their relationships with others.
Noticeable changes since moving into the Memory Support Unit
Ursula, 91, was the first resident at Aeralife Northpoint to move into the MSU when it opened in December 2023. Even in this short space of time, her sense of confidence and purpose have greatly improved. Ursula’s transformation has been noted by her daughter Linda and by carers and management alike. They agree that the MSU and Laughter Care™ program are combining well, helping Ursula to live more harmoniously and happily in the MSU community.
How Laughter Care is helping dementia residents like Ursula
Moving from mainstream care into a small community of only 14 residents, Ursula has benefited from the MSU’s intimate, comfortable space. This environment has helped her relax and trust in new forms of care therapy including Laughter Care.
Each Wednesday, Laughter Care Specialist Penny visits Ursula (usually greeting her in German) and other Aeralife Northpoint residents. Penny connects through humour, story, and song. It’s a fluid, ongoing process that helps improve residents’ well-being, fostering connection and trust, happy reminiscence, and a sense of calm and security.
The Laughter Care™ program, run by The Humour Foundation, is backed by international research[1].It demonstrates that humour therapy can reduce dementia residents’ agitation levels as effectively as anti-psychotic drugs, without the side effects.
A dementia-friendly care model
Ursula and other residents in the Aeralife Northpoint MSU benefit from its tailored, dementia-friendly model. Ursula likes to stay busy and enjoys everyday activities like sorting tea-towels, polishing cutlery, and watering plants. She also enjoys playing on the Tovertafel (‘magic table’ in Dutch) which stimulates physical and social activities, creates a shared experience, and enhances well-being.
“Mum has more dignity and purpose now,” Linda says. “The smaller community has contributed to her being less agitated and more centred since the Laughter Care™ program started, especially since she came into the MSU.”
“Mum has more dignity and purpose now” – Linda
Attentive, tailored dementia care at Aeralife Northpoint
Julie, who delivers the Lifestyle program at Aeralife Northpoint, has been helping Ursula get the most from Laughter Care. “I’m pleased we’ve been able to break down the walls with Ursula,” Julie says. “Penny and I have built a solid foundation of trust, and this has helped Ursula’s trust in other residents and in herself. She really looks forward to Penny’s visits each week.”
Kate Kaur, Clinical Care Manager, believes the MSU and its high-dementia care model is complementary with the Laughter Care program. “We’re seeing dementia residents like Ursula benefit from humour therapy. Being in a more intimate environment of the MSU provides a greater sense of connection with other residents, staff, and loved ones.”
Linda is relieved to see that Ursula is now calmer, happier, and more engaged after a nine-year struggle with dementia. She has great confidence in the staff at Aeralife Northpoint, especially caregivers like Julie and Penny. “Though there have been challenges along the way,” Linda says, “I’m overjoyed to witness the positive changes in Mum’s life since she joined the MSU.”
“I’m so happy to see Mum’s life transformed since she came into the MSU” – Linda
Meeting the needs of loved ones with dementia
Many families struggle to meet the needs of a loved one living with dementia. At Aeralife, we provide dementia-friendly care in all homes with five offering high-dementia care in our Memory Support Units:
- Aeralife Northpoint, Aeralife Bayswater, and Aeralife Watergardens in Victoria.
- Aeralife Illawong and Aeralife Queanbeyan in New South Wales.
Learn more about dementia at Aeralife
Download the Aeralife Northpoint MSU brochure
Learn more about Laughter Care at Aeralife
[1] Source: BMJ Open, ‘The Sydney Multisite Intervention of Laughter Bosses and ElderClowns (SMILE) study: cluster randomized trial of humour therapy in nursing homes
