Accompanying clown at EHPAD

Accompanying clown project proposes an evaluative approach aimed at assessing and qualifying the effects (therapeutic, relational, economic, etc.) of the practice of accompanying clowns on the ecosystem of the Establishments of Accommodation for Dependent Elderly People (EHPAD). The hypothesis is that artistic practices can be integrated into the care of dependent elderly people, besides the traditional care approaches, that contribute to the improvement of well-being, both physically and psychologically. Whether it is about accompanying clowns, hospital clowns, or relational clowns, the approach can be beyond simple entertainment, to see the potential of this practice in terms of support and care for dependent elderly people. The phenomenon of aging populations and the lengthening of life expectancy are linked to a fundamental public health issue, that of dependency and autonomy, and raise the question of the means to be implemented for the care of a growing population of elderly people in a context where public spending must be controlled and rationalized.