I've posted before about my grandmother who needs a knee replacement. Thus far, she had pretty much shut up about me taking care of her when she gets out of rehab. She tried it with my sister but she told her that she can't because of having to deal with a veteran husband dealing with PTSD, her going to nursing school and two boys under the age of 6, it will never happen. But here we go with her whining about how "poor" she is. This woman between her pension and Social Security gets a shade over 3 grand a month, has substantial savings, thinks she is poor and will not talk about not much else. If it's not money, it's what she's been watching on the Doom and Gloom channel (FOX news). This woman, money wise has nothing to worry about but I'm just sick of hearing about her being poor, how Obama "ruined" the country. How do I tell her to just shut the f*** up about it?
"Gram, I could watch that news myself if I wanted to. I don't. I'm not interested in a rehash of what they said. ... Did I tell you about the cooking show I watched last week? They had a creative way to cook cabbage ..."
"You and I have different political views, Gram. I love you very much, and I hope you love me, anyway. But let's just agree to disagree and talk about something else."
"I think your financial situation is your private business. I don't want to talk about it with you. If you can't think of anything else to talk about I'm leaving the room now."
Don't get into the situation of arguing with her or trying to convince her. Just make certain topics off limits, and enforce that by leaving the room or hanging up the phone if necessary.
I found that other old people get our family members all upset about money, when in our case, there is nothing to be upset about.
Evermore, if your cable channel has any kind of blocking such as that used to prevent children from watching inappropriate programs, use that to block FOX News. If you don't know how (and I don't as I don't block anything - I just don't watch it), contact the cable company and find out how to block FOX News.
You might try finding programs on wildlife or some of the documentaries on oceans; they're very soothing. Just the photography of the deep blue seas is relaxing.
(Our preferred hospital has always used art to soothe patients, and probably staff. There's a large aquarium in the ER lobby, the trauma bays have oceanographic murals on the walls. It's soothing and sooooo relaxing just to see that artwork or to watch little fish swimming to and fro amidst seaweeds.)
Smithsonian Channel and PBS have excellent nature documentaries as well, although Smithsonian programs can be upsetting for someone in a delicate state of mind (I'm thinking of the Titanoboa documentary) and PBS has political documentaries that can be very traumatic when the topics are political, especially of war-torn countries.
Animal Planet has series of baby animal programs featuring adorable fluffy kittens and rambunctious little puppies. For me it's a great relaxation program. Travel programs are also relaxing.
Treetop Cat Rescue is the name of the program.
I love the kitten and puppy programs, especially puppies of some of my favorite breeds like the Newfies, Huskies and other working group dogs.
The shows about the park patrols in Maine and other places are really good. I love it when they catch poachers.
Boy, we really got off the subject here. I guess our advice to Evermore was to get her to turn away from FOX and to Animal Planet on weekends. She'll probably fall in love with Jackson Galaxy. He's so cool.
I think there's a new self-indulgent "Me Tarzan" type of "reality show" - more and more shows are featuring these people who go off somewhere in quest of something or other, with the programs showing these big game hunters flexing their muscles to interfere with the life of animals and fish to just live their lives as animals and fish normally would do.
For whatever reasons, people seem to need and/or crave the illusion of being stars in their own ways - especially the so-called reality shows.
Note to Evermore: don't ever let your mother watch reality shows! She'll really be angry if she sees all that nonsense.
There are also some good musical programs on PBS - the Classical Rewind and other specials during the fundraising are especially upbeat. Evermore's Mom might even be tapping her toes to the lively music of Irish stepdancing. And whatever happened to Riverdance? Her mom would really enjoy that.
Evermore, that's a thought...do you have a DVD? If so, could you play some lively musical programs such as the original Riverdance, or the sequel with Michael Flatley? (I can't remember the name of his troupe.)
There also may be music channels in your cable lineup. There's one of soothing sounds (don't remember the exact name and my tv is on vacation right now), but it's so relaxing - I can even fall asleep while listening to it.
It might help to use music to calm your mother down, especially after the next FOX program she watches.
My parents and I now live on the East coast, yet Dad will call me saying they are closing the schools in Chicago because of the snow.... ????.... it doesn't affect me, it doesn't affect my parents. Mom put it best "at least I know where your Dad is".... in front of the weather map :P
My Boss learned very quickly not to debate me in politics, as he was coming to the debate unarmed ;) I can hold my ground, I can find accurate information. And I am bi-partisan.... a concept he can't understand :P
Evermoor, anyway of switching over to FOX Business? Mom might start finding economy talking heads a bit boring for her, unless she was an investor. Then she might want to change to a different programing.
But the soap opera didn't upset my world.... but my sig other did complain about it until I told him the show was "my sports", he then kept quiet behind he knew he would spend 24 hours watching sports all weekend :P