Psychologist-Comic Celebrates National Nursing Home Week With Tour

Dr. Drew Velting entertains nursing home residents with his stand-up comedy routine.

"New York's Funniest Psychologist", aka Dr. Drew Velting, took his geriatric-friendly, stand-up comedy on the road to observe National Nursing Home Week, May 13 to 19. Starting May 14 at South Shore Healthcare in Freeport, his Long Term Care Tour visited seven nursing homes in the region.

Over a span of two weeks, the comedian entertained residents and staff at elder care and rehabilitation centers across the New York metropolitan Area. "I love performing at nursing homes," Velting said, "but I'm working my way up to assisted living." He's convinced that laughter promotes hope, recovery, and a general sense of well being.

Noted for his quick wit and dry delivery, Velting, a clinical psychologist and member of the Association for Applied and Therapeutic Humor, performs stand-up comedy in cafes, comedy clubs and nursing homes. Some of his comedy material is to appear in the soon-to-be-published revision of Joke Express, edited by Judy Brown (Andrews McMeel Publishing).

"His thoughtfulness and devotion to bringing joy to others is invaluable," Suzanne Donohue, director of therapeutic recreation at the Belair Care Center in Bellmore, said. "He not only put a smile on our faces, but in our hearts."

Velting's tour started May 14 at South Shore Healthcare, Freeport, and went to Fairview Nursing Care Center (Forest Hills, on May 16, to East Neck Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, West Babylon on May 17, St. Catherine of Siena Nursing Home, Smithtown on May 18, to Bridge View Nursing Home, Whitestone on May 21 and to Komanoff Center for Geriatric & Rehab Medicine, Long Beach on May 23. The tour concludes at Resort Nursing Home, Arverne on May 24.

For more information, contact Velting at 646-262-1228, e-mail dmvelting@att.net or visit www.psychcomedy.com.