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So, my mom has Alzheimer's. Besides that, she has difficulties walking due to rheumatoid arthritis causing foot deformities (can't be "fixed"), the need for a hip replacement revision surgery (planning for now) & unexplained balance issues. All these combined & she really has no desire to go anywhere (I would like to get her out of the house to a day program at least one day a week for the socialization factor - she resists this idea.) I explain all this so one doesn't wonder WHY getting her to DO something else is easier said than done.

So, she spends most of her waking hours watching TV. As the AD progresses, she's getting more & more frustrated by not being able to "follow" the plot. (I will add that mom never DID have any hobbies, so there is nothing to redirect her toward doing.) Basically, if she's happy watching TV, I'm inclined to let that be.

That being said, does anyone have any experience/suggestions with what types of programs I can tune in for her to watch that she might enjoy that don't leave her frustrated?

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Some ideas for you to consider: Find the station for your area that shows old tv shows. Bonanza, I love lucy ( a good laugh always helps), etc, Visit your library and get DVDs or Videos for George Burns & Gracie Allen, Ed Sullivan, What's my line, etc. There are also music videos that show the words to the old songs and she can sing along. The words are in large letters so it is easy for her to join in.

Do you have a transport wheel chair? If you can get her out in the nice weather(it's a chilly 18 degrees where I am right now) you might try taking her to a park or playground. Just watching kids on swings and jungle gyms can bring a smile to a senior's face. Ditto for watching a few innings of a kids t-ball or little league. Good luck
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Lawrence Welk, the elderly love that show
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I agree with Buzy.. anthing musical may be a plus. My parents love the singing
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In my experience game shows can cause agitation. They're bright and loud and have lots of activity going on. I'd stay away from them.

Soap operas are boring.

But like geewiz said, the stations that show the old shows like Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie are good. I have yet to meet an elderly person who doesn't like westerns.

It's frigid here too (9 degrees). She'd turn into a Momsickle going outside here. But if you want to get her out to combat the boredom a nice drive might be fun for her. I used to drive my grandma to the richest part of town and we'd oogle and ooh and ahh over the mansions.
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My mom loves the Game Show Network (GSN), Golden Girls, Little House on the Prairie, Happy story pet shows. Mom enjoys movies like Cinderella, Joyful Noise, Grease Live. I hope this helps some.
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You all are great! Thanks for all the input, advice & insight! Mom is 71 - early onset Alzheimer's. Not long ago we laughed when we "stumbled" upon Lawrence Welk as I was flipping thru channels for her...)As a kid, my dad insisted we tune in every Saturday night (I think?) to watch it.) I stopped changing channels & we watched a bit of the "bubble music" show.

And, yes, the commercials are a whole other story. A lot of - "Maybe we should try that?" "I wonder if that would work for me?" "Remember to pick that next time you go to the store..." A never ending loop of the movie "Groundhogs Day" is what it feels like most of the time. But thanks so much for the feedback!
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I agree with everyone on the old TV shows...short half hour sitcoms like Andy Griffith, Sanford and Son, Golden Girls, etc that have a lot of things to laugh at...sometimes the plot matters less than just a funny situation or joke, and familiar faces from happier times. The Lawrence Welk show is a perfect idea or any old music, or shows like Burns and Allen etc. My Mom was bedridden for a year and a half in my home until she passed last month, and these types of shows got us through it all, and helped me unwind too. Check your local TV schedule to see if you get any shows on retro channels as well.
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Sorry for above. It posted before completed.
My mother has difficulty following a shows series and thinks it's a long movie. Also someone made a mention that their mother would rather look at photos. I started making what's called "memory books" for my mother a few years ago. It's photo albums full of pictures from out outings together, family events, reunions, holidays, birthdays, our pups, ect. She loves them!
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I would say, go with what she used to watch years ago. Personally, about once a year, I call my kids up and remind them that when I am bedridden not to let the caregivers turn on soaps. I hate them, always did and probably always will. LOL. As for my husband, Do-It-Yourself shows work great, we have DVDs on woodworking and shooting that he really likes. I was at a VA hospital several years ago and the Mexican workers would have the telenovas on in every room so they wouldn't miss their soaps as they worked room to room. Here these poor guys were stuck watching soaps in Spanish whether or not they liked them. Gave me the willies.
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I have this problem as well. What she like one day will upset her the next. I found watching stuff like The Jeffersons and Good Times (where the people do not look like her family) or black and white shows (where her memories are in color) can help. She enjoys Mama's Family to. We have a "schedule" in the evening with Jeffersons, Mama's Family, then Funniest Pets and People. The last on also has little kids asking and answering questions. No matter how many times she sees them, she loves the little kids. Also try just music CD's. A lot of times, watching "Bill Gaither Homecoming Friends" DVD's is good but other times she tries to figure out when she was there but just listening to the music without watching anything helps to calm her. Good luck and God Bless you for your care giving!
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