Posted on August 31, 2011 - by Nurse Virginia

WHEN WATCHING TV IS GOOD OR HARMFUL FOR THE CONFUSED ELDER

TV THAT IS HARMFUL

Natural disasters, tornados, hurricanes, flooding, drought, extreme heat, wildfires, blizzard and more tornadoes, 2011 has really been something and it’s not over yet. Roads and highways that have all but disappeared, being broken up by flood waters. People stranded, and now whole communities stranded with roads and towns that have become lakes.

That isn’t even counting all the news footage of terrorist strikes, marches, angry crowds, war, revolutions – and we get to see it all on TV, on some stations all day long.

Even a little of this is too much for the confused elder. The confused person cannot tell that what is being televised could be hundreds if not thousands of miles away, or right outside the door. When people are hurt the confused elder could think it is a family member being hurt or that the danger is to them.

Negative TV, negative news and dramas of killing, danger and mayhem need to be avoided by the elder who is having a problem telling the difference between the TV and their present situation.

TV THAT IS ENTERTAINING AND NOT HARMFUL FOR THE CONFUSED ELDER

Good TV for the confused elder? The current trend towards competitions- the best singer, the best dancer, how much do you think this costs – are shows the confused person can enjoy with the rest of the family. The elder can give their opinion if the singer/juggler/dancer is good or bad. The confused person can laugh along with the family even if they don’t always know what the joke is.

These shows are in the moment right with the elder. No need to remember a plot, or characters or follow a story line.  Just sit back have a little snack and enjoy the show.

Virginia Garberding, R.N.

Director of Education, The Wealshire, Lincolnshire, Illinois

Author: Please Get To Know Me – Aging with Dignity and Relevance

www.pleasegettoknowme.com