in the footsteps of two clowns in a geriatrics department in Gironde

QWho are these funny people jumping for joy in the corridors of the Podensac retirement home? Tulle skirt, neon pink tights, orange hat, ladybug backpack, colorful makeup, magic wand. Not really the style of the caregivers in white coats that we usually come across in this reinforced accommodation unit at the Sud-Gironde hospital center. The pair sings, dances, giggles. Bambou and Iom each have a red nose. Clowns! These actors from the Clown ta bedroom association have been performing at Espass (support and care for seniors) in Podensac for several months.

“In total, there are six clowns of us working in the geriatric rooms. We will see residents who are socially isolated. Either because they no longer receive visits, or because their neurodegenerative disease no longer allows them to engage in traditional communication. We come to see them every month to reestablish a little human connection,” presents François Dubois, alias Vivien, the karaoke host clown.

The association was created in 2021 in South Gironde. The actors have all followed clown training in a healthcare environment.

Humor and delicacy

Bamboo and Iom are untenable. “You make my head spin, my ride is you…” They run in the corridors of the retirement home, do acrobatics in the rooms, sing Édith Piaf at the top of their lungs and make questionable puns . Behind their antics lie two delicate hearts. Iom takes out a notebook full of room numbers and annotations: “We liaise in advance with the nursing staff to know which room we can enter. We also take stock afterwards,” says the clown to “Sud Ouest” before returning to his poetic world: “We come to see our friends, we give them kisses, scratches, little massages. We talk, we listen. They smile. I think it does them well. » Once a month, it’s the tour of happiness.

We are here to make them laugh, but not only that. Clowns can trigger all emotions. Sometimes residents need to express anger, sadness, fear

Go to Mrs. A’s room. Bambou moors himself to the edge of the bed and gazes into the patient’s: “I love how you look at me. I feel like I see your whole world. » Mrs. A. has not spoken for several weeks. But his look is worth a thousand words. She smiles. After a session of kisses and hugs, the clowns leave to the sound of the thumb piano. “We allow ourselves anything to trigger emotions. We sing, we dance, imitate the gestures, we touch, we exaggerate, we investigate,” lists the clown Vivien before adding: “We are there to make them laugh but not only that. Clowns can trigger all emotions. Sometimes residents need to express anger, sadness, fear. »

Bring out the emotions

The costumes are not chosen at random. Shimmering colors, different textures: “The goal is to awaken all the senses. » The actors are in the present moment. In the second bedroom, Bambou clings to the lift like in a circus act. Madame B. widens her eyes: “That’s a story!” » Weird, very weird. But for five minutes, the resident’s stray thoughts evaporate. “Patients are more open after the clowns have passed. Sometimes, the effect lasts and care becomes easier,” marvels the psychologist at Espass de Podensac, Cristina Delannoye-Huarte.

Third bedroom of the afternoon. Iom and Bambou improvise. The smallest detail is a spark that lights the fire of conversation. “Have you eaten your madeleine?” » The actors launch into a surrealist sketch around this snack nicknamed “gaillardise”. “My name is Iom, do you like that?” » asks the bearded clown. Mrs. C. pouts: “Not too much, but it makes you laugh. »

Fourth bedroom. The patient is sleeping soundly. No question of pulling out the karaoke microphone this time. Bambou will still whisper a word in his ear. A sweet word, for sure. “If they’re asleep, we can sneak into their dreams. » We could all use such a nice clown.