title: Responding to the needs of the terminally ill through laughter and play.
abstract: Care for the terminally ill has greatly expanded. Humor and play, however, remain largely unexplored, surrendered to the cultural expectation of dignity and respect for the dying. This paper suggests several uses of humor and play with the dying, and the benefits of these interventions with patients, families, and care givers.
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Cates
mesh_terms: D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D007845:Laughter; D010988:Play and Playthings; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D013727:Terminal Care / Q000523:psychology*