Senior Living Program

"I have seen this group bring out a light in people who are typically quiet and do not speak...I never want to see a time when the Good Medicine Specialists are not at our facility.” – Activities Director, Heartland of Westerville Senior Living

Our History

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Since the fall of 2017, the Good Medicine Specialists' whimsical and nuanced comedic performers work in pairs to provide one-on-one engagements to residents at senior facilities in central Ohio. The goal is to empower residents using physical comedy, humor, music, and more to reduce anxiety, sadness and isolation in the medical environment.

The Good Medicine Specialists

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Good Medicine Specialists are professional performers in comedy and improvisation. This is not a hobby, but a job they take seriously. Performers undergo extensive and ongoing training in artistry, infection control, hospital protocols and in special issues related to interacting with elderly and issues related to dementia care. Good Medicine Specialists are experts at reading a room and bringing their fun characters into situations in organic ways.
The work is steeped in research in the concept of therapeutic and elder clowning. A recent pilot study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society reported that visits from therapeutic clown performers like the Good Medicine Specialists reduced moderate to severe behavioral symptoms of dementia and were as effective as medication in reducing aggression in those patients.


Senior Living Virtual Visits

"During a time of uncertainty and isolation, Good Medicine has provided crucial outside interaction where patients don’t have to think about their medicine, their pain, or other needs, but instead laugh until their bellies hurt."- Activities Director, Heartland of Dublin
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Due to the corona crisis Good Medicine transformed our programming to a new platform while medical facilities are closed to outside visitors. In April of 2020 we launched our Senior Living Virtual Visits to help elderly in nursing homes find their joy with our Specialists through a Zoom or Facetime Visit.
"Their virtual visits have been an important part of maintaining good mental health at a time when residents have not been allowed any visitors.” - Activities Assistant

Partnerships

  • Promedica Of Westerville
  • Village at Westerville
  • Promedica Of Dublin
  • The Gables of Westerville
  • Brookdale Dublin-Muirfield
  • Parkside Village
  • Wexner Heritage House
  • Wexner Cottage
“Good Medicine! They fill my heart with joy!... Please keep them coming here. They lift all of our spirits up in this time when we need it the most." - Resident, Village At Westerville

Interested in this program for your facility?

Programs are partially subsidized by grants & contributions to allow greater access to facilities who need this most!  For pricing, information and how to get started contact Artistic Director Kristie Koehler Vuocolo at GoodMedicineProductionsED@gmail.com.