Tijdschrift voor gerontologie en geriatrie
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Ageing can be associated with physical, cognitive and/or social loss. Most older people, however, cope well with this loss, perhaps by using humour. In this review the research findings concerning humour were collected. ⋯ In health care for older people humour is sometimes used as a therapy. Scientific evidence of any positive effects of humour on mental health was not found. It is perhaps better for caretakers to show appreciation for the humour of older people than to make jokes about older people oneself.