Is it okay to make jokes about dementia?
We’ve probably all heard jokes about dementia. But are they funny or are they discriminatory and hurtful?
It’s not ‘just a joke’
Humour can be a fantastic coping mechanism and many people impacted by dementia try to find moments of joy to share with their loved ones.
However, due to a lack of understanding of the condition and the stigma associated with it, many people still make comments about dementia that land for many as tasteless, unkind and misinformed.
It’s not ‘just a joke’. To tackle stigma and discrimination we need to talk about and challenge these hurtful comments.
Attempts at making ‘jokes’ about dementia often focus on people with dementia forgetting to do or say something. Ageist jokes also often include dementia themes, as do jokes based on misinformation and misconceptions around the disease.
Dementia is not just being a bit forgetful or ‘having a senior moment’, it is an incurable, terminal condition. Dementia is the second leading cause of death of Australians and the leading cause of death for women.
What are the repercussions of these jokes and misconceptions?
In a recent Dementia Australia survey, 75 per cent of respondents who identified themselves as at risk of dementia indicated they expect to be treated differently if they are diagnosed. This stigma can prevent people from seeking an early diagnosis and support services.
An early diagnosis enables people with dementia to process their diagnosis, get the information they need to understand their type of dementia, plan for the future, access services and support for themself and their family, and remain engaged in their communities.
What do we do about this?
We aren’t the fun police. Many people impacted by dementia use light-hearted jokes and humour or share anecdotes of dementia-related moments in their lives they personally have found amusing.
We strongly support people living with dementia making the decisions about what is ok for them, and what is not.
If you experience ignorant or offensive comments or unkind jokes, you may choose to correct or educate those who make them. We have compiled some tips for how you might go about doing this:
- Remind them that dementia is a terminal illness and ask them to consider how a person living with dementia or their loved one might feel about their joke if they heard it.
- Offensive jokes about dementia often rely on stereotypes, myths and misconceptions. Let the person who makes the comment know that they can find accurate information about dementia from the Dementia Australia website, or by following Dementia Australia on social media. They could even consider signing up to become a Dementia Friend at www.dementiafriendly.org.au.
- Explain how people with dementia already face stigma in many aspects of their life and misinformed comments only serve to increase this stigma and perpetuate misconceptions around the condition.
Want to know more about dementia and humour? Check out these articles:
What happens when the joke is about you? Hear from people living with dementia about their sense of humour, what it feels like when people make jokes and how they respond.
Can humour help you live with dementia? Christina, her sister Stephanie, and their mother Kay took a somewhat unconventional approach after Kay was diagnosed with dementia, involving a beautiful blend of adventure, togetherness, love and laughter!
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