Members of joke-telling group find joy in laughing together
Weekly joke session at Michigan community center helps combat isolation among older adults
LANSING, Mich. (Aging Untold) — A woman in Michigan has created a weekly program that uses humor to improve mental outlook and well-being for older adults.
Judy Wattenberg leads a one-hour session called “What’s So Funny?” every Tuesday morning at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center. The program brings older adults together to share jokes and laugh.
“I feel that laughter is so important when you get older,” Wattenberg said. “Older people don’t really have things that make them laugh.”
Building connections through humor
Wattenberg started the program for older adults she refers to as “elderly orphans” — older people who may not have anyone to help them or family to talk to.
“Laughter helps you because you’re connected with somebody,” she said.
During the sessions, participants share jokes ranging from puns to self-deprecating humor about aging.
Wattenberg said politics is generally off limits, but poking fun at themselves is not.
“Old people need jokes, are funny, and people don’t realize that,” she said.
Copyright 2026 Gray Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
