I really want my grandmother to branch out--and to cut back the TV! Has anybody solved this problem?

Hi RainbowPrism. How old is your grand ma? My 79 year old mother watches news about 14 hours a day. She and I walk our dogs nightly. 15 minutes to a half hour. She will not change the channel She has dementia. Pretty sure she has Alzheimer's. Shes on aricept ( generic) and was recently prescribed an antidepressant. I asked her last night if she's bored. She said no. She's content watching tv. She lives with me. She does enjoy doing laundry . She calls no one. Has 1 friend who she used to see twice a week for an hour and a half. He drove. Well that's down to once a month. I'm no where near her age. I have no clue if that's how most 80 year olds spend their day. It is frustrating for my husband , daughter and me because she's in our family room. Not her room. So we have no access to the kitchen with out hearing Fox News.

Rainbow, Grandmother had no goals? What about the child or children she had raised? Right there is over 18 years of one's life or more depending on how many years there are between children. That's a lot of work.

We need to remember as we age we do tend to become tired quicker. I noticed a huge change from when I was in my 50's to now being in my early 70's. Half my energy disappeared and I can't find it. And here at one time I was a gym rat.  It's just part of aging. And here I was dealing with my parents who were in their mid-to-late 90's.

And some of us have lost our friends, either they moved to be closer to their own elderly parents, or they had passed away. Some of us don't really care for driving any more, too much road rage, or the fear of the driver behind you is too busy on their cellphone. Modern technology has become too complicated. Heck I still have my flip phone [I realize some younger people may not know what type of phone that is].

I still have my career and that gives me a reason to get up in the morning to get ready for work. It has been my saving grace. I also do volunteer work on Saturday at a hospital, but I started that over 20 years ago.

Walking is the best thing to do, if the person can tolerate it. Like early morning when it isn't so hot. But walk with her, as some of us don't like walking alone [I don't]. My folks using to walk 2 miles a day when they were in their 80's. Start out a short walk. Can grandmother's dog walk more than 15 minutes, if so, the dog would enjoy a change of pace with 2 or 3 walks each day.

If the weather is bad, and there is a mall nearby, some malls have early morning walking time before the stores open up. You can "window shop" :)

My mom is 79 and lives in a continuing care community. I can't tell you how many activities they have available. You could stay busy all day long. She has her own apartment and gets up late, watches TV all day while napping off and on and goes down to dinner at 5:00 with a group of women. Dinner is the highlight of her day. I have tried over and over to get her involved in activities or the trips they offer but she just isn't interested. One day she told me "I guess I'm just lazy and you're hyperactive".
I finally realized that this is what SHE wants and I'm just going to have to live with it. The first 18 months after my dad passed she lived with us and like Erinm60 said, it was frustrating because she spent her day in our living room and we had to hear her shows all day. I still get sick to my stomach when I hear Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy come on TV:)
If you think it's depression go with her to her doctor and have her talk to him. Maybe medication will help. If it's just her personality and she's doing what she's been doing for 40 years, let it go. It was hard for me to let it go but as my husband reminded me, my mom has always spent most of her life sitting around watching TV. Why would she change now?
Your grandma is lucky to have such a caring granddaughter.

Agree 100 percent sue 888

My mother watches TV all day long. She has for 20 years now. Actually she watched TV mornings, nights, and weekends when I was a kid. It makes me feel guilty, like I should be providing her with company or something to do. The problem there is I hate the programs she watches -- game shows and old reruns -- and can't sit still for more than 5 minutes. She is also very unpleasant to talk to because she doesn't hear well and I have to shout over the TV. She starts coming up with tasks for me right away, then starts finding fault in me in about 5 minutes. To keep sanity I have to keep time together short.

I offer options on things to do. Her answer is that she is old and watching TV is what she wants to do. My father and she rarely talked and didn't have much to do with each other, so maybe TV has always been her main friend. It's sad, but I can't let myself feel guilty about what she chooses for herself.

A really sad thing is that she prefers the TV to having real interactions with people. This is a very lonely house for both of us.

How old is Gramma, Rainbow? If she is a grandmother that means she raised at least one child. Did she do it watching tv all day? Did she have maids? Nannies? Housekeepers? Apparently she did not have a paying job. But I think it is naive and disrespectful to assume she never accomplished anything.

Sometimes I feel a little guilty about all the time I spend sitting around reading. And then I remember that sitting around reading is exactly what I always hoped I could do in retirement. If someone assumes that I am depressed because I have my nose in a book so much, they are quite wrong.

Maybe your grandmother is depressed. If so, as you know it is hard for her to take the initiative to make improvements. So it is kind of you to make suggestions and offer encouragement. But I think that she has to at least accept that change is desirable before anything can improve. If she is satisfied watching television, I don't think there is a lot you can do to change that.

Jeanne, you made a good point. We can think that our parent or grandparent is miserable because we would be miserable doing something. Chances are that it is exactly what they want to do, so we should let them. I can imagine me coming to your home and encouraging you to put down the book and do something. If I did it a few times you'd probably think me an awful nag. Personally I think that roller coasters and trips to exotic places sound good, but often sitting and reading or looking at the sunset (or TV) is exactly what we want to be doing. No one needs to feel guilty about it.

Rainbow how do yu know grandma is depressed. Asjessie says she is doing exactly what she wants to do. of course it is not healthy nd she should be out walking the dog, eating healthy and going to the senior center to make new friends. But she does not want to, she is just too tired to pull herself out of this boring life. 
Does she watch some of the soaps. I bet if she does she sees them as her friends and family and worries about how the characters are going to manage whatever mess they are in this week. You can take a  horse to water but you can't make him drink"

 So don't even try accept the choices she has made. Try and encourage the things she has achieved in her life. She raised chidren, took care of her house, probably worked in the garden. is watching TV any worse than sitting around reading romance novels. yes it's quieter and less annoying to other people. If she is in your house don't let her take over the living room don't let her take over the TV. Turn the darn thing off or disable it. have rules for when it can be watched and everyone gets their choice of program and it gets turned off at mealtimes. 

Show an interest in the progrms she likes ask her opinion on things she has seen especially in this scrambled political situation. Never mind the politicians comment on the pretty coat the first lady wore getting off the plane.

Get her a computer and show her how to play games and follow people on Facebook. Find her a forum she might enjoy ( not agingcare).it just might work

Sounds like we're all saying the same thing -- If she is doing what she wants to, then don't worry about it. :-)

Ya JessieBelle. Agree. My mom could never figure out how to get on Facebook. I show her posts from her high school graduating post 1955. She s a little interested. Has zero desire to go on herself. This is the same woman who was able to look at her stocks performance a few years ago on line daily. She's happy watching Fox. All day. So ok. That's where we are

I agree with JessieBelle.

... poster do excuse by why would you expect her to change now. Although it's sweet you believe you see a need, it's unrealistic to look for her to suddenly be interested in being "different.

First of all, from what you've written, your grandmother has never been highly goal, nor socially driven, so to be bothered by that now I would need to ask you, why. from what you've written you mention shes aging prematurely, well, what is her age?

..... regardless, there's somthing to keep in mind, as humans age, their world becomes very small. Most no longer see the need nor reason to be active to any level that someone younger may be. Their actual 'needs switch to minimal maintenance, and their desires are changed to 'in the moment" Or to the very near future, rather than any distance future ... then any remaining, or stronger desires are simply limited to what their minds can remember. Their lives are extremely simplified for self survival, so easy things such as food, television, etc, are actually paramount to them.

Try to remember, although you may see a routine as boring and detrimental, if you lower your expectations perhaps you will see they have simply chosen to minimize their life, for themselves.

About Television; for the elder individuals Tv is effortless and instant entertainment, instant mind busying, and instant companionship without thought. Many times their body reacts to television by reducing heart rate and breathing seems to regulate (sometimes too low) but it's a calming effect due to the familiarity and the entertainment aspect of it.

reply to posters question;
most aged' need to be gently reminded and then nudged forward to do things out side of their daily comfort level. Perhaps eagerly yet again gently, invite and then lovingly coax her to do some things, but ''only the things where you yourself can attend with her.

If you do not live with her, might I suggest you simply end your expecting her to act the way you wish (we all have unrealistic expectations of our elders, and we do that so we can rest easier ourselves thinking that if they do this and if they would do that, they will be better balanced, etc, when, it's actually us who need to lower our own expectations ) ....

... and by the way, the 15 min per-day dog walk you say she takes, is excellent for her both mentally and physically. I honestly would worry less about her television and simply stop trying to change her ways at this late in the game when she's clearly shown you who she is up to now. ;) take care.

Jessibelle...I picked up on your remark about your parents relationship. My parents have never had a meaningful conversation in 65 years. They both sat in front of the tv from about noon on. Their buffer. Dad passed about 3 weeks ago. Mom was actually very relieved. The tv habit is deeply ingrained. I feel guilty for letting her sit, but as stated above, it is what she wants. She watches "My 600 lb body"around the clock. Wish she would change the channel. Fortunately, she lives next door. I don't like going over there, but must several times a day. I don't like this h*ll ride.

Since RainowPrism hasn't posted back, I'm not sure how old her mother is. I think the approach to take may depend on the age of the parent. IMO, it matters if a person is 75 as opposed to 55, although, as long as she is competent, there's not much you can do to insist that someone seek and receive treatment for depression. Sometimes, people know they are diagnosed with depression, but, they refuse treatment and live with the symptoms, which can include sitting at home watching tv.

I might encourage that she get treatment for depression, which may include mediation, but, if she resist, just accept it. And if she's an older adult, it may be that she's just tired and wants to relax. Some people play golf, bridge or watch tv. We have to be careful of allowing others to make their own decisions about how they live out their days. Its may not be what a younger person would do, but, it may be what they want.

Ah yes, soap operas. Back when I was first married, many decades ago, I didn't have much in common with my mother-in-law. Then one day she got me interested in a soap opera [The Young & the Restless], which was an interesting show.... thus whenever we talked on the phone we knew we could get the ball rolling by discussing that past weeks worth of shows. Before I knew it, Mom-in-law became my best friend :)

That friendship continued on even after her son and I had divorced 20 some years ago. Weekly telephone calls up until she was in her early 90's.

Rainbow, find something of interest with your Grandmother, even if it is one TV show that you can enjoy together.

I agree with Jessiebelle and JeanneGibbs. To be honest, your grandma may resent being asked to rejoin life and take part in the things you've chosen for her. I've never been a "do-er" or a joiner either. I did my part when my kids were little and even taught preschool for a while. But, I never made strong, lasting friendships. I am an only child so no sibs as "friends". Now, as caregiver for my disabled husband, I have even less inspiration to go out and socialize. Despite this, I am not miserable 100% of the time. There are things and people in my life I enjoy. And, I do enjoy being left alone. I have a doctor who cares about me and makes sure I am on the right medications for depression and anxiety. You are wonderful for caring so much about her and I'm sure she loves you for it.

I agree with most of the answers above. We don't know how old grandma is so it's hard to determine. My mom lived alone until she was 90. She joined a women's group at church that met biweekly on Wednesdays. They helped out at church activities, had holiday parties, lunches out etc. It was something she really looked forward to and she gained some friendships.

Also many senior centers have wonderful activities for people in the local community. Maybe someone from a organization in her age group could reach out to her. She may be more open to one of her peers. My mom outlived all of her friends and relatives, so when someone from church invited her to attend a women's group - she was excited to have friends and be social again.

This sounds a bit like my mother. We all have different interests, and truly, some people really have none.
My mother has 3 TVs in her very small apt. All 3 are on all day, everyday. I am not a TV watcher, so I don't see what she gets out of it, but noise and the "companionship". She has always been this way. Even if she read (and she no longer does that) she has the TV on. She does go to Bingo twice a week, where she does 2 hours of "socializing" and that's it.

You're projecting what 'you' want her to do and be on to her. If she's happy, and does take that 15 minute walk, I'd leave well enough alone.

Go visit her more often. Most elderly people want to see their family and their family is to busy with their own lives. I can't PAY my sibs and their kids to go see Mother.

I smile at the different ways we all see things. I am caring for my 95 year old hubby, 2 months away from 96!! I am wife #2, and we've been married 32 years, but I am 30 years younger than him.

After a year of his basically sleeping 90% of the time, I welcome my DH watching TV again! When physical strength and the ability to do "chores" leaves them, there isn't much left. TV is entertainment and IMHO, still way better than sleeping 24/7

He doesn't do puzzles, doesn't want to socialize - so TV works. Sometimes trying to find them something to do isn't the answer. Allowing them to do what they want is what is working for my Ray.

My mother is 92 and is unlike any older person I have ever known! She absolutely LOVES her computer. Her home page is the New York Times and she reads it regularly, and also enjoys her Facebook page. She e-mails all the time, and therefore, she is quite mentally active. Could your grandmother possibly benefit from using a desktop or laptop computer, or perhaps an I-pad?

At her age let her do what she enjoys. Be grateful you have a grandma you can visit and she still can get around. I never knew any of my grandparents they passed away before I was born. My mother loved cooking shows on tv and watching family feud and loved her house. It's hard you want them to do things and enjoy life but I've learned they are doing what they want. Enjoy just being with her.

Perhaps it's more your problem then hers.Is she discontent or complaining? I've had

this issue with several of my elders. I learned that you can't change or convince them.Let her be......I'm now 87 living a fairly busy life and I wouldn't welcome anyone
interfering!!!!

As a former Geriatric Care Manager, I would say her behavior is pretty normal. Many of my clients were glued to their TV's! During visits to these clients , I often had to request that they shut off TV! My own mother , who was very active in her youth and a world traveler had that TV Fixation too. When she visited my home, she would spend about 15 min outside in beautiful yard, then rush back inside to watch her "programs". Think for some, as they age , they narrow down their world. TV is a constant background and comfortable companion.

I forgot to mention that my mom had macular degeneration and would constantly lose her glasses. She was in a facility for the last 4 years of her life. When she lived in a Senior Housing Apartment, she was moderately active without real prompting from me. She complained about the other residents but would occasionally go to the lobby and chat. She did not accept her vision impairments gracefully, and in the last two years, she simply sat in her room, brand new tv we bought her off, no interested in radio and couldn't read. There was absolutely nothing I could do about it. If she wanted to sit in her chair and imagine in her mind what was going on at the facility, which she said was an apartment in Chicago in the 1940's, so be it. I didn't argue or disagree. She raised me to be a decent person, was a good wife to my dad and earned her right to do as she pleased.

Since she is sedentary and seems to need 'instant" entertainment, have you considered getting books on tape? Perhaps start with old classics that she might have a sentimental memory of, like The Secret Garden. Or perhaps get some DVDs of Hallmark stories, Masterpiece Theatre, and so on. At the least, you might enjoy them with her, too. I had a foot operation a year ago, and I took up needlework for the 6 weeks I had to sit, and that kept my sanity.

RainbowPrism, are you still on-board here??? Please come back and answer some of our questions. We haven't heard from you since you posted your original question. Hope everything is ok.

You don't say how old Grandma is, but my guess is that nothing you say or do is going to change her now. If she is happy doing what she's doing, why not leave her be. At least she is walking the dog and getting out a little.

Is she at all interested in talking about the past? My kids and I talked about getting the older family members' stories but didn't get as much as we'd like to have (and one tape got stolen from my son's car).

Some suggestions:
#1 ebooks
#2 town's Council on Aging events on buses
#3 town's COA has bingo and other things

Llamalover47, just curious -- why do you think going to bingo would be a better option than watching television? I just spent 3 hours binge watching a mystery series on television. Would I have been better off playing bingo? Why?