Laughing for Health and Happiness

The American population is aging! In the year 2030, 31% of the population will be over 55 years of age. So what’s to be done about it?

START A LAUGHTER CLUB!

So what is a laughter club, you ask? It is a program where people come together to improve their health, reduce their stress, and feel more positive and optimistic about life through breathing, stretching, and laughter exercises.

This was just one of the many great ideas introduced by Mary Mullen and Ing Kalchthaler of the Bethel Park Library in their presentation "Sexy Senior Programming". The duo also offered terrific suggestions for intergenerational programs such as:

· Battle of the Books—Families read books and have quiz-show style competitions
· Adopt a Grandparent Storytime—Parents and kids meet at a local assisted living center for a special storytime
· Grandma/pa and me Wii Tournaments—Libraries and schools partner to organize intergenerational Wii team tournaments

For more information on these programs and other great ideas, go to Mary's and Ing's blog and worldlaughtertour.com.
DP