Help me brighten the lives of our elders, one chuckle at a time!
I use therapeutic laughter to improve the quality of life of seniors in various kinds of community homes. And I teach their care givers how to use the benefits of sustained laughter in their own lives, and with the patients. Laughter has been proven to be great front line medicine.
You can help more seniors have laughter as regular part of their care.
There are different kinds of laughter. Some laughter is from humor, some is from child-like joy. The laughter from humor is often fleeting. It is the kind of laughter that does not last long enough to get significant physiological benefits. And sometimes it is easy to miss the joke.
And many of us have forgotten the joy of being child-like. Studies show that children laugh as many as 300 times a day. It is because they like to laugh for no reason, and they are eager to laugh. They are in touch with how good laughter makes them feel.
And studies show that most adults laugh less than 20 times a day, some even more rarely than that. This is because they have forgotten how to be free to laugh, or they think they must always have a reason to laugh.
Doctor Madan Kataria, MD, invented a special kind of therapeutic laughter called laughter yoga that combines sustained simulated laughter with specific breathing techniques to cause significant mental, emotional, and physiological benefits.
I am a certified trainer for these laughter techniques, in addition to being certified in traditional sound healing.
My mission is to teach our elders how to laugh again, and how to laugh for no reason. And how to laugh, and move in a joyful childlike way, so that they get the aerobic benefits from it!
My laughter sessions give gentle aerobic stimulation to seniors who are mobile, with seniors who need to stay seated, and even with seniors who must stay lying down.
And I teach their caregivers how to bring the benefits of laughter to their patients, no matter what their health and mobility status is.
Laughing for no reason is known as simulated laughter.
In 1995, Dr. Madan Kataria, along with Dr. Lee Burke from Loma Linda University, discovered that the body can not tell if the laughter is faked, or if it is real. If the laughter is sustained, the body will experience significant mental, emotional, and physiological benefits. When you assume a posture of laughing, the body starts adjusting itself into a more joyful state.
Several researchers, including Paul Ekman, William James, and Silvan Tomkins, discovered that bodily expressions and movements can translate into emotional experiences, and that facial expressions and bodily movements play a crucial role in emotional experiences.
Once we learn how to laugh for no reason, we can call upon laughter when we need it. When life is stressful, or when we feel down, or we just need a boost, simulated laughter helps the body adjust itself to a more pleasant emotional state, because "Emotion follows motion."
I teach how to make the motions of laughter, soon the body quickly follows and experiences a state of joy. As this is practiced day after day so that it becomes a habit, the mind creates new neural pathways that make the state of joy easier to access. Joy is a powerful antidote to every day stress.
When the laughter is done for a sustained period each day, the joyful body experiences all kinds of benefits, such as:
* improved mood
* lowered blood pressure
* improved immune response
* aerobic benefits
* cardiac benefits
* improved compassion
* heightened empathy
Laughter, when combined with easy breathing exercises and breath work, and learning to laugh for no reason, allows all seniors to once again experience internal joy, and good exercise.
While walking is a good and gentle exercise, there are many health challenges that seniors have that can make walking difficult or even impossible. But Therapeutic Laughter is much more gentle. I work with seniors so that they can experience laughter while seated, or even while laying down.
Therapeutic Laughter has been shown to support significantly better cognitive function and less pain. It significantly improves the quality of life in elder care communities. It has been applied as a complimentary intervention since the 1970s.
I will share a couple of example medical journal articles about the benefits of the laughter techniques that I am certified in. As part of my specialization, I have been putting myself to sleep at night for weeks studying these medical journal papers.
Here are findings from just a couple of the laughter research papers:
"Laughter therapy can benefit health through various mechanisms, including muscular exercise, increased respiration and blood circulation, improvements to digestion, and emotional catharsis [10]. Researchers have since investigated the therapeutic efficacy of this therapy, and reported that it can have positive and quantifiable effects on a variety of medical conditions, such as depression, anxiety, stress, dementia, and pain without deleterious effects on health [11–24]. Furthermore, researchers have also reported that laughter therapy can reduce the levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in cancer patients [25–29]." - Effects of laughter therapy on quality of life in patients with cancer: An open-label, randomized controlled trial - Toshitaka Morishima, Isao Miyashiro, Norimitsu Inoue, Mitsuko Kitasaka, Takashi Akazawa, Akemi Higeno, Atsushi Idota, Akira Sato, Tetsuya Ohira, Masato Sakon, Nariaki Matsuura - PLoS One. 2019; 14(6): e0219065. Published online 2019 Jun 27. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0219065 PMCID: PMC6597115
"Laughter therapy improved the quality of life of nursing home residents. Therefore, nursing home management should integrate laughter therapy into health care and laughter therapy should be provided as a routine nursing intervention." - Kuru, N. and Kublay, G., 2017. The effect of laughter therapy on the quality of life of nursing home residents. Journal of clinical nursing, 26(21-22), pp.3354-3362. doi: 10.1111/jocn.13687
Therapeutic Laughter has the benefit of not requiring expensive equipment, or special diagnostics. It does not require insurance approval. That makes it available to all the residents of an elder care community.
I have certifications in sound healing, and the specialty of laughter, because laughter is the best medicine, especially for our elders! I am also a chaplain who specializes in the "personal experience of the joy of the Lord",
This video shows me leading a group through a simple laughter exercise. See how the smiles and laughter grow as they follow the motions I taught them, and their laughter quickly becomes real.
You can see that as these local dog groomers get into laughing, their joy even spreads to the dogs they are taking care of!
The best part was a little dog named Jasmine who normally doesn't like anyone. After this fun, Jasmine really liked me, and I needed to play with her too!
Help me bring laughter and joy to our elders. Your support makes a difference!
In this video you can see I am joining Dr. Kataria and dozens of laughter specialists from around the world! You can see some of the crazy antics I use in my laughter sessions to help elders benefit from sustained laughter.
Would you like to experience the benefits?
Please follow along, laugh with us, enjoy the movements, and experience the aerobic benefits for yourself!
And be sure to stick around to experience laughter dance with Dr. Kataria! He has the moves and the joy! Rock out with us!
Remember, laughter is the music instrument you always have with you!
Dear Friends and Supporters,
Placing a loved one with Alzheimer's or dementia in an elder care community is one of the toughest decisions a family can face. It's a heart-wrenching experience that can leave everyone feeling overwhelmed and helpless.
But here's the thing: even in the midst of challenge and change, there is always room for laughter and joy. That's why I'm excited to share with you my mission as the Laughing Chaplain to bring laughter, joy, sound healing, and prayer, to elders with Alzheimer's and dementia in our local elder care communities.
Laughter has been shown to improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and even slow down cognitive decline. It's a simple yet powerful tool that can bring joy and connection to those who need it most.
"I have seen how the VA uses Laughter Therapy. And I know personally that it works. With your certifications in sound healing and laughter medicine, you can use your skills here at Pine Ridge."
- Michael Monroe, MBA, LNHA, Care Administrator, 23 year Army combat medic veteran
So this is where you come in! I need your help to complete this mission to bring the healing of sounds and laughter to people who need it the most. Your donation will support my joy and laughter program, which includes:
1. Training and certifying staff at 5 nursing centers to lead laughter sessions and use laughter as frontline medicine for their patients, as well as a stress reliever in their own lives. This will bring healing to elders with Alzheimer's, dementia, diabetes, cancer, and other issues requiring long term inpatient care
2. Conduct regular laughter sessions at local care communities
3. Education and outreach to families, caregivers, and nursing staff about benefits of laughter medicine.
By supporting my program, you'll not only be bringing joy to elders with Alzheimer's and dementia, but also improving the mood and well-being of the staff who care for them.
Every donation counts, whether it's $10, $50, or $100. Your support will help me bring laughter and joy to those who need it most. Will you be one of my Laughter Angels with a onetime donation, or even a monthly donation?
Thank you for considering being a Laughter Angel and supporting my laughter and "Joy of the Lord" programs. Together, we can bring joy and connection to elders with Alzheimer's and dementia.
Sincerely,
Garnet R. Chaney, Laughing Chaplain
https://www.LaughterAngel.com * https://www.laughtarian.com *
https://www.laughingchaplain.com
$20, $50, $100, $1000
Laughing Stock!
Doctor Kataria started the first laughter club in 1995, in a park in Mumbai, with just 5 people. As others saw how much fun and joy the doctor and his group were experiencing, more people started joining the daily laughter club sessions. Soon, the local newspaper came to take pictures, and ran the national news story.
Dr. Kataria's family, back in his home village, saw the news story.
His older brother called him, "Madan! What are you doing? We sent you to the big city to become a doctor, but instead you are becoming a laughing stock! You must stop this immediately!"
Dr. Kataria did not stop! He kept with his vision to share the benefits of laughter across the world. Did you know that laughter clubs are now happening in over 110 countries? I have seen the video of Doctor Kataria teaching the worlds largest laughter class with 16,000 students!
I realized I should immediately launch an ILO, an Initial Laugh Offering of Laughing Stock! Get in on the ground floor with this 2024 Series HA! round of shares. They are printed on fine cotton parchment, with an uplifting message on the front and back. They are a beautiful addition to any office or home decor. They let you proudly show that you are a laughter angel supporting laughter for your elders.
They make a great gift for friends and family. In fact, they are a double gift! They will not only delight your friends and family, they also help provide life improving laughter for a senior citizen in an elder care community, and training for their staff members.
They are a strictly limited edition. Get in on the ground floor today! Thank you for helping me make laughter and joy a regular part of the lives of nursing home residents.
$20
Dalmation Jasper
Dalmation Jasper is the stone of Joy! It creates a sense of playfulness reminding us to enjoy the simple things in life, and helps us enjoy child-like lightheartedness.
Many people have become laughter angels by buying a one of these beautiful stones to carry in their pocket. Everytime they touch it, they are reminded to be joyful and laugh.
Dalmation Jasper is an excellent assist in releasing anger, and/or feels of hurt.
It aids in breaking down barriers that you have created as protection around yourself, and it allows you to move forward in life with joy and laughter. It can help you discover your true purpose for being here.
The black spots are Black Tourmaline.
Comes in a festive gift pouch, and includes a card reminding you of its characteristics.
A unique and beautiful gift for your loved ones, it also supports providing joy and laughter sessions to seniors and staff in elder care facilities.
The rest of the site is under construction. Your donation helps me to complete things like this website and print flyers to spread the word to generate more support. It also supports me to spend time working with elders to bring them natural laughter medicine.
While laughter is free, getting thorough training and certification was not free. I and my family have invested thousands in starting this service, but I can't do it alone. This is why I need your help.
I have completed full-time certification training with the faculty of the world renowned Globe Institute in Sausalito California, the leading program for sound healing certifcation.
I also completed my training directly with Dr. Madan Kataria, MD. He is the inventor of laughter yoga. He has rigorously trained me about how the lungs work, and how the brain, immune system, circulation, and other systems of the body, benefit from therapeutic laughter. He has given me his certification.
Additionally I travelled to Canada and earned my certification as a Certified Laughter Yoga Trainer. I was trained by several of Dr. K's excellent master trainers, such as Lora Pesant, Duncan Cook, and the hilarious author Heidi Barkwell. She wrote the book "Laughing Wellness".
Nursing homes have extremely small budgets for activities, and I will need your support so that I can make my services affordable to elder care activity directors.
My plan is to provide the nursing home staff with an intensive onsite training program. This will make sure they are prepared to use laughter wellness techniques in their everyday interactions with their patients, and even at home with their own families.
The certifications have fully prepared me to teach staff at the elder care communities to apply these techniques. So I am providing a service that will grow to benefit the lives of more and more people.
I will be training the eldercare nurses and other care givers to make sure that laughter and joy are their new front line tools to assist with every interaction.
This is why I need your ongoing help.
Please buy shares of limited edition laughing stock for yourself and friends. Consider also buying them a beautiful dalmation jasper stone to keep in their pocket or on their desk to remind them of laughter and joy and your thoughtfulness.
To donate via paypal, please send to thegarnet@gmail.com
You can also use my Venmo QR code at right. My name on Venmo is @TheGarnet Sometimes Venmo asks for the last four of that phone number, enter 3258
If you would like to place an order, please call me at 1-415-779-6075, so I can personally take your order. Please be sure to leave me a message or send me a text if I am already on a phone call with another Laughter Angel.
Thank you! Please consider making a regular monthly donation to help support laughter and joy for our elders!
Thank you for doing what you can to help!
- Garnet R. Chaney, Laughing Chaplain
I aim to enhance the lives of our elders with laughter.
Engaging laughter sessions that bring smiles and joy to our elders and their caregivers!
I am also using sound therapy to uplift spirits and create a soothing environment.
Join me for fun events that foster community and connection.
Become a laughter angel and help me spread joy!
Your support can make a world of difference!
Joy
Bringing Laughter to Life
Emily Smith
Elder Care Advocate
Join me in spreading joy and laughter to our beloved elders battling Alzheimer’s and dementia. Your donations help me bring smiles, laughter, joy and sound medicine to their lives!
Laughter is the best medicine! Discover how humor can transform the lives of our elders.
A hearty laughter session reduces stress and enhances mood. It’s a win-win for everyone!
Sound medicine promotes relaxation and joy. Let’s make some noise!
Join my team of laughter angels and spread joy!
Participate in my fun events and help us raise funds!
Hear from those who’ve experienced the magic of laughter therapy!
Find out how you can contribute to this joyful cause!
Help me, and my team of laughter angels, create a world where laughter reigns supreme! Your support can change lives and bring joy to our elders and their caregivers.
A joyful elder enjoying a laughter session.
Every donation helps me provide laughter sessions that uplift spirits and create lasting memories. Your support enables me to train elder care community staff to regularly use laughter to improve the quality of life of seniors. Join us in making a difference!
Monthly Support
$20/month
Quarterly Support
$50/quarter
Annual Support
$200/year
Lifetime Support
$1,000/lifetime
Laughter therapy brought my mom back to life!
Sarah Johnson
Caregiver
I’ve never seen my dad smile so much!
Mark Thompson
Son
This program is a game changer for our residents!
Linda Brown
Nurse
Laughter is truly the best medicine!
James Wilson
Volunteer
I can’t believe the difference it makes!
Emily Davis
Family Member
Every session is filled with joy and laughter!
Robert Garcia
Activity Director
Transforming frowns into giggles! My therapeutic laughter sessions are designed to uplift spirits and create joyful moments for our beloved elders. Join me in spreading joy!
Healing through harmony! My sound medicine approach uses music and laughter to enhance the well-being of both residents and caregivers. Let’s make some noise for happiness!
Therapeutic Laughter is a fun approach that uses sustained laughter, breathwork, and yes, uplifting humor, to improve mental health and well-being. It’s like a workout for your funny bone!
Sound medicine uses music and sound to promote healing and relaxation. It’s like a spa day for your ears! And mental floss for your mind!
Absolutely! We welcome laughter angels to join our mission. Bring your best jokes and a big heart and a willingness to laugh, even for no reason at all!
You can donate through our website. Every penny helps us spread joy and laughter! You can find my VENMO QR code, and also my paypal which is thegarnet@gmail.com. Thank you!
Laughter and sound medicine can reduce stress, improve mood, and enhance the quality of life for our elders. Who doesn’t want that? We are focused on bringing these drug free, cost effective, safe and natural methods to elders in our community.
Yes! Studies show that laughter and music can significantly improve mental health. It’s science, folks!
True story: I put myself to sleep every night reading actual medical journal articles on studies of the healing benefits of both laughter and sound medicine.
Linda Smith
Caregiver
Laughter sessions have transformed our community! It’s a joy to see everyone smiling again. - Simulated testimonial! Please book one or more sessions so your real testimonial can replace this one!
1
Your contributions help us provide laughter sessions and sound medicine to our seniors. Every dollar counts!
See details on how to donate.
I am developing this website myself, to keep all funds I receive fully focused on the certifications I need to fully serve the elder care communities. My resume includes being a software engineer, writing software to test turbine blades for jet engines, developing both AI languages and low level languages, starting one of the first web hosting companies in 1994, producing some of the first medical websites for chiropractic, orthopedics, and how to get a good night sleep, producing internet search software, and a whole bunch of patents in the areas of internet search, AI, and VR technologies. You can find my resume on LinkedIn. I also sharpen beauty shears for hair salons, see Sharp-Now for more info.
I am trying to keep all my energies on sound healing, but if you want to support me by hiring me to develop a website for you, I can develoop a similar website for you. Let's talk. Call me at 415-779-6075 for your free consultation, or write me at TheGarnet@gmail.com
Join my team of laughter angels and help me spread joy in our community!
Join me in my mission to bring joy and laughter to our elders. Together, we can make a difference!
Garnet R. Chaney
Founder
(This is a placeholder! Only Facebook and YouTube are presently available. If you would like to support me creating extra media presences, to support reaching more elders with my mission of providing laughter sessions to senior citizens in local elder care facilities, lets talk.)
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