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?
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
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.
These are on cable, on channels such as MeTV, and Antenna TV.
There is also Turner Classic Movies, she doesn't need to follow the plot if she had a crush on a favorite actor or two :)
Animal Planet's puppy and kitten shows are soothing and calming; no narration is necessary; the little furry sweethearts speak for themselves.
I keep my client pictures in my computer...(I save all email from her family when they have the vacation) She loves to see all her children or Grandkids, her friends. She really enjoy looking those pix, also she likes animals, flowers. I do use youtube for sing a long.... her excise are many many trip to the bathroom, Well she is 93, we couldn't carry on normal conversation anymore....if I ask her Q's A's are everything "Yes and No" whichever I decided answer for her.
Mom loved game shows and her favorite baseball team playing. She's not much interested in tv any more.
Familiar, no commercial interruptions, and an hour of less seemed to be the key for both of them.
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!
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!
I'm wondering if she would be able to follow the plot of the older movies such as Gone with the Wind, although that might be too distressing.
As far as the wheelchair suggestion goes (my mother has the same issues as the original poster), those are heavy. I have a bad shoulder and can't lift much. Even her walker was hard for me to hoist, never mind getting her out of the car. By the time I get her to the beauty parlor and seated, I'm exhausted. I can't imagine doing this for "pleasure." lol Maybe I'm just old and cranky but I find it very difficult to do physical things for my mom when no one helps me and I need help as well. Its all very hard. Anyway, I digress....
Would she take to such things as "How it's made' and some of the home improvement shows. Maybe make some short videos yourself when you are out.
A church service, ducks on the pond, a craft show as you walk round,a visit to the museum. Just regular everyday things. Even go to the senior center and film the activities there.