LOS ANGELES – Dementia, Alzheimer’s, and memory loss can make it difficult for family members like a mother and daughter to connect.

“She started to just repeat herself more and more and she started locking herself out of the apartment and she started forgetting how to do sort of your basic mundane tasks like go to the post office or go grocery shopping,” Olivia Saperstein said.

Saperstein’s mother was diagnosed with a form of dementia about five years ago. Since then, she has seen her mother’s condition progress.

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“I felt nothing I said was getting through to her or would stay and it was definitely sad because I felt like it was definitely more difficult to connect with her,” Saperstein said.

But through light banter, she was able to see a spark in her mom. For the last two years, Saperstein connected her mom with one-on-one comedy care sessions through Laughter on Call. During each session, Saperstein’s mother is connected with a comedian. The goal is to get a laugh or even a smile from those who are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s or other dementias.

The jokes don’t always land, but these companions keep trying anyway. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, more than 5.8 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s or dementia. Experts estimate that number will grow to about 14 million by 2050.

Dani Klein Modisett is a comedian. She created Laughter On Call after she saw how making time to laugh brought smiles to her own mother.

“You don’t know when you show up what you’re getting at any given moment and the great thing about comedians is they are used to that and so it’s really wonderful to be able to take that gift and that talent and use it in a way that reaches people in a way that desperately need you know a good laugh,” Modisett said.

After seeing the connection and smiles this relationship brought Saperstein’s mother, she couldn’t help but feel grateful to see her mom smile again.

“I want my mom to have fun and enjoy the rest of her life even if she’s burdened with this disease,” Saperstein said.

It can be difficult for Saperstein to see her mom’s dementia progress. But she’s grateful to bring smiles to her life where and when she can.