Tv Shows For Dementia Patients

August 2, 2022

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Think back or ask relatives and friends about your loved ones passions and strengths. Then, encourage them to do similar things.

Try knitting or crochetPut a homemade quilt or skein of yarn in your aging relatives hands. Let them feel the weight of the quilt and the scratchiness of the yarn. They may still be able to crochet or knit a little bit, even if they have serious memory or cognitive deficits.

Experiment with soundsIf your relative with dementia was a musician or loved music, introduce simple instruments or sing-alongs. For seniors with mild cognitive decline, musical ability might outlast other memory functions. For those with more advanced impairment, nursery rhymes, maracas, and tambourines can still encourage creative expression.

Encourage visual expressionPainting and drawing are ways to express feelings safely and with creativity. Encourage using bold, bright colors on big surfaces. Rolls of butcher paper enable seniors with dementia to create without encountering the stress of defined spaces.

Create sensory experiences with tactile craftsWorking with slippery clay or malleable play-dough is a way for seniors with cognitive decline to benefit from tactile stimulation and creativity. Gewirtz suggests feeling a variety of objects with different shapes, sizes, and textures, as well as rubbing hands in lotion.

The Best Dementia Films Books And Tv Programmes

As part of our World Alzheimers Month series, were taking a closer look at some of the best books, films and TV programmes about dementia. World Alzheimers Month aims to get the world talking about dementia, so that there is greater understanding and less stigma surrounding this issue.

Over the last few years, as understanding about dementia has increased, we have seen more about this subject on the big and small screen, as well as in bookshops and libraries. Weve rounded up our pick for you here

Do Dementia Patients Feel Bored

Yes, just like everyone else, dementia patients may feel bored from time to time. Unfortunately, when they are no longer able to plan their own activities, the boredom may easily turn to frustration. The person may become agitated and start wandering the house, simply because his/her mind has been idle for too long. Activities that will keep dementia patients busy and engaged can help get rid of boredom.

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The Impact Of Lifestyle Choices On Brain Health

This study is the latest study to show the impact that our everyday lifestyle choices can have on our brain health as we age. Researcher Tina Hoang said of the study:

Sedentary behaviors, like TV viewing, could be especially relevant for future generations of adults due to the growing use of screen-based technologies. Because research indicates that Alzheimers and other dementias develop over several decades, increasing physical activity and reducing sedentary behavior beginning in early adulthood may have a significant public health impact.

Researcher Kristin Yaffe agrees that this study could have implications for todays youth, but added that the study could actually bring renewed hope, proof that people can impact their brain health later in life by the decisions made now.

This is something you can do something about, Yaffe says.

How does this study impact your daily television viewing habits? Are you inspired to get moving? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

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Reminiscing Activities For Dementia Patients At Home

Reminiscence therapy uses sensory or visual cues from the past to help seniors reconnect with positive memories. Instead of asking direct questions that could be confusing or stressful, try gentle guidance. For example, if youre looking at childhood photos, ask generally about growing up rather than where an image was taken.

Look through photo albums. Photo albums with pictures from your loved ones childhood or young adulthood can bring back favorite memories. You can also scan or take digital pictures of old photos to create books.

Watch old movies and TV showsDid your aging parent grow up watching westerns like Gunsmoke or My Darling Clementine? Did they prefer musicals like The King and I or Singing in the Rain? You can find old favorites at your local library or streaming online. Add some movie snacks for a fun family activity!

Listen to music and singMusic can awaken the brain, and with it, the rich trove of memories that are associated with familiar songs, according to the nonprofit group Music and Memory. Stream classics or sing memorable songs like holiday carols. Sing-alongs and music classes were more common in mid-century schools you might be surprised at how many songs your loved one remembers from childhood.

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Films That Show The Challenges Of Dementia And Alzheimers

Films and television programmes can evoke many emotions and lots of us seek support and shared experiences through them. If youre caring for someone whos living with a form of dementia, there are several great films that explore the subject of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia with grace, dignity, and realism.

Here are our top picks:

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Fold laundryLaundry is a familiar activity for most seniors, especially women. Soft fabrics and a repeated motion can be calming. Plus, classic detergent smells may elicit comforting memories. Start with easy items like hand towels and T-shirts. Avoid items like fitted sheets and buttoned shirts that could be challenging.

Simulate handy tasksIf your aging relative always loved to tinker, suggest a project with visible results. Painting wooden boards and fitting together PVC pipes are good activities for seniors with high motor function. Wooden or plastic play tools provide a similar experience for people with more advanced dementia.

Untie knotsTie loose knots along a thick rope. The elderly person may enjoy untying them, though avoid making the knots too tight or using a rough rope.

Do a puzzlePick a puzzle with large, tactile pieces. Wooden color or shape puzzles help with matching and are fail-safe.

Recommended Films And Tv Shows For Those With Dementia And Alzheimers

As youll see from this list, the best films and TV shows for those with dementia or Alzheimers are musical films and TV shows that include music. Some of the most beloved actors include Shirly Temple, Doris Day, Humphrey Bogart, Fred Astaire, Elvis Presley, and Gene Kelly.

Here is our list of recommended movies and TV shows listed by decade so that you can easily find your loved ones favorite decade.

The 1940s

The Wizard of Oz 1939 but close enough to the 40s.
Its a Wonderful Life

The 1950s

I love Lucy a TV show that ran from 1951 to 1957.
Singin in the Rain

Leave it to Beaver ran from 1957 to 1963.
Bonanza a TV show that ran from 1959 to 1973.
The Carol Burnett Show ran from 1967 to 1978.
The Lawrence Welk Show ran from 1955 to 1982.

Reality TV shows are also easy to follow for seniors with Alzheimers or dementia. Shows such as American Idol, Dancing With the Stars and American Pickers dont have a running plot, making them easy forms of entertainment for everyone. Ambient videos may also interest patients with Alzheimers. An example of an ambient film is A Fishy DVD, which depicts the colorful and interesting life of fish in an aquarium.

Are You Parenting Your Parents And Struggling To Find Television And Movie Programs They Want To Watch

60 Minutes Archive: Frontotemporal Dementia

Covid-19 has many of us binge-watching Netflix, but not all popular programming is suitable for loved ones with memory loss.

Life as a caregiver is hard. Through trial and error, my family has curated a list of TV shows and movies that our Dad with Alzheimers and Mom with dementia enjoy watching together.

Weve discovered some common elements that create a winning formula for finding shows they like.

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Stage : Mild Cognitive Impairment

Clear cognitive problems begin to manifest in stage 3. A few signs of stage 3 dementia include:

Getting lost easily
Noticeably poor performance at work
Forgetting the names of family members and close friends
Difficulty retaining information read in a book or passage
Losing or misplacing important objects
Difficulty concentrating

Patients often start to experience mild to moderate anxiety as these symptoms increasingly interfere with day to day life. Patients who may be in this stage of dementia are encouraged to have a clinical interview with a clinician for proper diagnosis.

Can Too Much Tv Lead To Dementia

A recent study from the Northern California Institute for Research and Education in San Francisco suggests that too much television may not only damage your brain, but also increase the risk of developing Alzheimers.

Researchers tracked a group of people for 25 years and found that of that group, those who reported low physical activity and watched at least four hours of television a day, were nearly twice as likely to have poor cognitive ability in middle age.

However, it is not clear if the television viewing or the lack of physical activity or a combination of both is responsible for the decrease in cognitive function.

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There Is More To Alzheimers Disease Than Memory Loss

Alzheimers disease has become synonymous with memory loss, as seen in The Notebook and National Lampoons Christmas Vacation among others. However, there is so much more to this complex disease. As mentioned earlier, forgetting places, names and memories is one of the many symptoms of Alzheimers, but the majority of patients relate to a feeling of sheer panic as they cannot find a connection to anything in their surroundings. They do not recognise anything around them, and everything becomes depersonalised. Dementia requires complex care and shouldnt ever be diminished to just one symptom.

The Best Tv Shows And Movies For People With Dementia

Frasier actor publically backs dementia walks

Who knew watching a favorite movie or TV show could be good for you? For men and women with Alzheimers disease or other forms of dementia, it can be especially beneficial. Watching movies and TV shows can help keep their brain active, which can stimulate positive memories, improve mood, and even increase socialization.However, the choice of program is important. So where do you start? Follow our three tips to ensure a good viewing experience for yourself and our loved one with Alzheimers disease or other forms of dementia.

Choosing The Right Movie Or Tv Show

A good movie experience can leave a person with Alzheimers in a better mood and more engaged with others. It can also help bridge generations, giving grandparents and grandchildren something to share.

How do you choose the right movie or TV show for a loved one with Alzheimers? Generally, it is a good idea to find movies that are:

Dementia Has No Gender Preference

Until recently, actors who portrayed sufferers of dementia were predominantly female. Still Alice, The Notebook, Greys Anatomy, The Iron Lady and Iris all show women suffering from dementia and Alzheimers disease. However, dementia does not have a gender preference the older you get, the more likely you are to suffer from dementia, and because women tend to live longer than men, there are more female sufferers overall. 61% of dementia patients are female, and 39% are male.

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How Do You Make A Dementia Patient Happy

If a person with dementia gets suitable surroundings, they can lead productive, satisfying, and most importantly, happy lives for many years after the initial diagnosis. The happier they are the less likely they are to get angry or start exhibiting worrisome behavior. Here are some effective tips for making a dementia patient happy:

Providing emotional support and a relaxed environment
Helping the person feel safe and comfortable
Spending time talking to them and relaxing with them
Adding fun activities
Adding meaningful activities

How To Incorporate A Daily Routine Into Your Dementia Care Plan

Dementia and Sundowning: Tips to help you manage sundowning

When coming up with a regular routine for someone with dementia, the overarching goal should be to tailor it to their preferences and past activities as much as possible. Preserving even small or seemingly mundane aspects of a loved ones day-to-day schedule can have surprising results.

Levine recalls the story of one family caregiver who was forced to put her mother in an assisted living community. She had been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease and the move to an unfamiliar environment made her extremely anxious. One day, the daughter suggested that staff give her mother The New York Times newspaper each Sunday. Although dementia had affected her ability to understand the articles the way she used to, resuming this long-time habit brought comfort and gave her a point of reference from which she could better maintain her sense of time.

On some level, she was aware it was Sunday, Levine reflects. Once she got the paper, she calmed down and enjoyed reading the various sections.

The more you can include habits and activities from a seniors pre-dementia life, the better. If you can, sit down and try to map out what a normal day or week used to look like for them. Leisure activities are typically an easy place to start. For example, did your loved one have a favorite television program that they liked to watch at a certain time each day? Perhaps encourage them to watch TV at this time while you see to other tasks.

Only Fools And Horses

Enjoy watching the charismatic Del Boy and his dependant younger brother Rodneys hopeless attempts to get-rich-quick as a pair of dodgy market traders in Peckham. This classic 80s comedy is a great choice for older people, and will likely be a comedic trip down memory lane. Only Fools and Horses was voted by BBC viewers as Britains Best Sitcom in a 2004 poll.

3 series, 20 x 30 minute episodes,1 specials series, 10 episodes

Image courtesy of Netflix

Best Movies & Tv Shows For Dementia Patients

Are you a caregiver looking for positive movies and TV shows for your loved one with dementia?

It can be harder than one may first assume. We are exposed to a massive amount of negative stories and images which can cause emotional distress to someone with dementia. Even the content in commercials or the news can have a negative impact on their emotional wellbeing.

People with Alzheimers and other types of dementia perceive things differently than those of us with healthy cognitive function. Discerning the difference between TV/movies and their own reality can be difficult or impossible. In addition, it can be easy for them to take on the emotion of what they are watching having heightened feelings either positive or negative depending on the type of content.

A positive movie or TV show experience can enhance mood, promote socialization, ease anxiety and bring long-term memories of old favorites to the surface. Watching an uplifting show can also be a great intergenerational activity bridging the gap between the young and old, so invite the kids, grandkids or great-grandkids over for an early movie night! There are many great options both old and new and we have compiled lists of crowd pleasers for you to browse through.

How To Choose The Right Movie Or Tv Show

A good movie can improve the mood of a person with Alzheimers and make them more willing to engage with others. It can also help to bridge the gap between generations, giving grandchildren and grandparents something to enjoy together. So how do you choose the right movie or TV show for a person with Alzheimers? Good kinds of movies include:

Simple plot and with not too many characters
Not too violent and with no displays of serious illness or death
Length of the movie under 2 hours
Fun and optimistic

Fidget Mats For Dementia Patients

Wayne and Gail Hartlich are here today to talk about fidget mats they started making for patients with dementia. They have been on the show before and Gail was picture of the day where she was making fidget mats that were donated to dementia patients. We’ll hear about how they got started and the things they have been doing to support this community. They’ll be bringing 6 of the Fidget Mats they make and donate them.

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Stage : Age Associated Memory Impairment

This stage features occasional lapses of memory most frequently seen in:

Forgetting where one has placed an object
Forgetting names that were once very familiar

Oftentimes, this mild decline in memory is merely normal age-related cognitive decline, but it can also be one of the earliest signs of degenerative dementia. At this stage, signs are still virtually undetectable through clinical testing. Concern for early onset of dementia should arise with respect to other symptoms.

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Alzheimers Disease Is Not A Romantic Or Glamorous Illness

Nick Cassavetes film adaptation of The Notebook tells the tale of Noah Calhoun reading to his wife Ali. Every day, he reads their love story from a worn-out notebook in a bid to jog her memory, which has been ravaged by Alzheimers disease. The film has been heralded as one of the most romantic movies ever, thanks to its tale of undying love. However, The Notebook romanticises Alzheimers within a family, suggesting that everything will work out in the end given nothing more than a simple memory jog. In fact, many people forget that Alzheimers disease is even involved in the film. Memory loss is one of many symptoms caused by Alzheimers disease, and this illness has an irrevocable effect of both the patient and their family.

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