I have already spoken to the Executive Director and Nursing Director more than once about the fact that the large screen TV is always on movies that are too loud/violent/yelling and/or are not appropriate for Memory Care residents. Sometimes they are movies that are too scary, even if they are comedies, such as those that include ghosts and evil beings. I have brought it up to both management and staff over and over, and they always change the TV channel if I ask, but then I walk in the next time, and it is on something terrible again. I think these are shows that the young staff want to watch and not what the residents would enjoy watching. If I suggest old movies or TV shows from the 40's, 50's or 60's, I get blank looks from the staff. I think old musicals would be enjoyable to most residents as well. I know my mother loves those.
My personal opinion is that some of the TV the staff chooses to show to residents is abusive to their aging minds, just as showing violent TV to children is abusive.
I feel I am fighting a losing battle with this. Mom is a fall-risk and not allowed to stay in her room alone anymore, so she cannot watch her own TV anymore, but it breaks my heart to walk in the facility and see Mom sitting there parked in her wheelchair in front of the TV and there is something that is shocking or disturbing to her being played out on the screen.
Yes, tge violence will affect these residents. When Mom was with me, she watched Emergency until there was a bombing and she got upset because she thought it was our house.
How realistic today is a wife at home while the husband works, doing housework all dressed up? Even Billy Gray from Father Knows Best mentioned how the show was not realistic.
Do you think "Hazel" was representative of what was going on at the time?
One of the only shows that tried to be realistic was "Julia" starring Diane Carroll which had an African American in a title role and not as a maid.
Violence? Didn't many old country western shows have shootings and people being unalived?
I would try to call another meeting with the director and include your neurologist and or psychiatrist to help you to explain your position from a medical perspective.
I totally HATE violent movies or TV shows. When my Ex was staying here, all he'd want to watch was violence! Blood, murders, killing creatures (think Alien) and similar garbage. I would get dinner ready and tell him to change the channel, or starve. He would get annoyed, but knew I meant business. I'd rather watch comedies, musicals, adventures or game shows.
My Ex was a Vietnam Combat veteran with PTSD. He'd constantly watch any war movie, TV shows like Tour of Duty, Black Sheep Squadron, or movies like Platoon, Apocalypse Now....over and over. Or hours and hours of pro wrestling! Anything else to him was "boring."
So glad he is out now...and at his lovely apt. he has cable TV with 200 channels of violence and gore at his fingertips. I'm so happy don't have to hear it or see it. My blood pressure went from 140 to 114 since he's gone. My Doctor is amazed!
I find it odd your Mom can't stay in her room and watch TV because she is a fall risk? Does she try to get up and down (without help) constantly?
TV on a continual marathon basis is not good for seniors especially in Memory Care. But they love the old-time music. I would limit your mother' s tv viewing so much per day and have the music she enjoyed from her younger days'.
I know of Dementia patients who cannot remember my name but they can get up and sing and an entire song and sound like Judy Garland; it brings tears to your eyes.
Their long-term memory and music seem to stick. I dropped one of my subscriptions on tv because it was simply not life giving. The staff are so overworked changing the tv takes is not high on the mark but changing a diaper is.
They have too many people to care for and I totally agree with you but unless you hire a one-on-one attendant at a specific time of the day and mother sits in her room that's the only way this can change.
Buy her noise-cancelling headphones and an inexpensive tablet.
Hire someone to sit in the room with her, so that she can watch what she likes.
While I agree that the programs you described aren't healthy to watch (for anyone), making that decision for all of the people that live there isn't up to you.
And considering the changes being made that has had many people working in old age homes leave; this wouldn't be a hill I'd choose to "die" on if it were my mother.
Not trying to make the decision for everyone else on what tv shows to watch, but I think most doctors and geriatric psychiatrists would agree scenes of frantic screaming and violence are probably not helpful for any patients with dementia.
Also, I am not choosing the "die on this hill." I thought this forum was for those who have loved ones with similar issues, who are looking for help or answers. My thanks to the many other participants here who have given excellent advice.
When my Mom passed away, we donated her DVDs to the AL community. Carol Burnett Show, Golden Girls, Mr. Bean, etc. Very G rated stuff. The residents enjoyed them in their "theater" room.
I have Roku streaming without cable for free and like their selections.
The staff isn't there to watch movies or TV, it isn't for their enjoyment, so tough if they don't like what is on. They should be taking care of the patients that are paying through the nose to be cared for. This should be pointed out to the boss, the employees are being entertained at the expense of the patients and that is theft from the facility.
If something doesn't change, I would file complaints with every governing board involved with the licensing of this place.
Request a formal care plan adjustment. Send a polite but firm letter or email to the nursing director asking her to include quiet, calming TV content as part of your mother’s personalized care plan. Memory care facilities are required to follow individualized care plans, especially for things that affect emotional well being. Once it’s in writing, the staff is obligated to comply.
Sometimes staff are unaware of the effect that loud or aggressive T.V. content can have on dementia patients. Suggesting training on dementia friendly environments might help.
If the facility continues to ignore the issue, you can file a complaint with the state’s long term care ombudsman. (Every state has one). They advocate for residents and can intervene quickly. You can also file a complaint with the licensing agency that oversees memory care facilities.
I hope this helps you get a more peaceful environment for your mom.
If, ten years before, you had asked whether she'd want to watch Calamity Jane or High Society, she'd have turned her nose up. Mum would have said, "Why would I want to watch that old thing?" Even though my daughter and I loved watching old movies.
But dementia changes how a person thinks and they often engage better with music and films from when they were younger. Mum really perked up when she heard music from when she was young.
I think that the care home staff are being thoughtless and cruel.