Dallas Innovates Article

Alcove Senior Advocates’ President and Senior Living Adviser, Tim Painter, was interviewed by Meredith McGrath of Dallas Innovates about his experience in using improv comedy techniques when working with individuals suffering from dementia or Alzheimer’s type of cognitive decline.  

Tim learned to use humor and improve techniques as a therapeutic application while attending The Improv for Life program taught by licensed psychotherapist and improviser Andrea Baum.

The Improv for Caregivers class is one of several classes taught by Baum and her colleague Lindsay Goldapp, who teamed up to teach improv comedy techniques to improve the effectiveness and reduce stress for caregivers caring for someone with Alzheimer’s, dementia, and other forms of cognitive decline.  

The class trains professional and family caregivers to use Improv techniques to improve communication and reduce stress for the caregiver and the person they are caring for.   

Tim’s conclusion is that the benefits of The Improv for Caregivers class can be significant and include increased patience, clearer communications, and the power laughter for therapeutic benefits. As Tim learned from Baum during his training, research shows that “when the quality of life of the caregiver is good, so is the quality of life of the person they’re caring for.”

Click here to Read the Article – Alcove Senior Advocates in the News.