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I have already spoken to the Executive Director and Nursing Director more than once about the fact that the large screen TV is always on movies that are too loud/violent/yelling and/or are not appropriate for Memory Care residents. Sometimes they are movies that are too scary, even if they are comedies, such as those that include ghosts and evil beings. I have brought it up to both management and staff over and over, and they always change the TV channel if I ask, but then I walk in the next time, and it is on something terrible again. I think these are shows that the young staff want to watch and not what the residents would enjoy watching. If I suggest old movies or TV shows from the 40's, 50's or 60's, I get blank looks from the staff. I think old musicals would be enjoyable to most residents as well. I know my mother loves those.
My personal opinion is that some of the TV the staff chooses to show to residents is abusive to their aging minds, just as showing violent TV to children is abusive.
I feel I am fighting a losing battle with this. Mom is a fall-risk and not allowed to stay in her room alone anymore, so she cannot watch her own TV anymore, but it breaks my heart to walk in the facility and see Mom sitting there parked in her wheelchair in front of the TV and there is something that is shocking or disturbing to her being played out on the screen.

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I agree with you absolutely; this is shocking really. Decent care for the elderly starts at the top with administration. This is almost abusive. I would contact an ombudsman.
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I agree with you. Perhaps calling the ombudsman is appropriate given the lack of cooperation from the director.
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I agree 100%
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Sad, and I would agree that it's the Staff is setting the Channels. I know that not ALL movies that air on Turner Classic Movies are appropriate for Memory Care residents, and my Mom was in Assisted Living with 'fading memory' (then died at 80 yrs.), but she absolutely loved the old Fred Astaire, or Bing Crosby, or Debbie Reynolds musical comedies. Judy Garland, too, was a favorite. Dick Van Dyke, Julie Andrews, all these lovely musicals were a joy for my mother, and I would call her to set her television to anything that was to air on that day or evening that she would enjoy. This was many times a highlight of her day, and we could chat about how beautiful Audrey Hepburn was in 'My Fair Lady' and other such great memories. My TV has lots of "old favorites" like Andy Griffith, I Love Lucy, well I could go on and on and..won't do so. What is happening at your mother's residence is potentially hurtful rather than tuned into something that might bring joy. It's simply just not right, and I feel that there should be someone at that residence with enough common sense and humanity left that could select "old movies" or programs (particularly musicals!) that could being a bit of happiness.
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Lee188 Jul 21, 2025
I agree with everything you said. I know I sound like a broken record asking the staff to change the TV channels to shows/movies the residents would enjoy. I just don't think some people, especially younger ones, understand how important that is for someone elderly, especially those with dementia. The same thing goes for music. Sometimes the music that is playing over the speakers in the common area where the residents spend most of their days, is modern music that the staff enjoys. I mentioned several times that the residents would probably enjoy music from their own younger days like Bing Crosby, Dean Martin, Nat King Cole, etc. The facility did make a change there by purchasing headphones that the residents can put on and listen to their own music with the help of staff. But it would be nice if the music that played in the open area was geared more to the residents' age group.
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I had Moms TV set for Cozi or MeTV. These stations had all the old shows on them. I would come in and see news on. Mom didn't watch news when she was with it. I put a note on her TV, please leave TV on station I have it. No news.

Yes, tge violence will affect these residents. When Mom was with me, she watched Emergency until there was a bombing and she got upset because she thought it was our house.
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cover9339 Jul 20, 2025
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Go to a store like Half Price Books (they sell more than just books) and buy some DVDs of older movies. Some thrift stores also have used DVDs. Even buy a DVD player (they're not that expensive) and offer to set it up on the TV. As long as it has an available HDMI port it shouldn't be difficult.
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I feel like the news is more shocking and depressing these days and that is what my 92 yr old grandpa in MC wants to watch. He gets all worked up over the state of the country and I really wish he would find something else. He can still go into his own room and watch what he wants which is of course news or old war movies. That part always shocks me as he has been diagnosed with PTSD also and I have no idea why he would CHOOSE to watch that. Unfortunately since he has control over his TV if he doesnt like what they are watching which is usually old classics he goes to his room and dwells on the things he wants to watch. I think his mood would be better if he watched something less depressing but I am not there to make that decision. If it were coming from the common rooms I would def speak up.
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I understand, the TV should be enjoyable to the residents and not the staff. Don't you wish you could put parental control over their stations? I think the facility is missing the point, while the TV is loud because of people who are hard of hearing it shouldn't be violent as to agitate the residents. Something like the Hallmark channel or Animal Planet which has variety and of interest to most would have a more calming effect on the residents. The point is while many offices/ businesses play obnoxious elevator music that is annoying, it's relaxing to them. Maybe this should be part of your argument? How would they feel if they were older and were forced to tolerate the stuff of today's youth? Nails on a chalkboard!! Do they want calm residents or irritated ones? Maybe it's time to get the families of other residents on your side? Ask around, maybe petition for change if it's not going to cause resentment with the facility. It's not taking any time away from caregiving to find one or a few stations that fits their likes. Program a few favorites and just use that button, don't let the residents have the remote! For the cost of MC it's not much to ask for.
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Lee188: Put your complaint in writing.
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A lady I used to visit in a nearby nursing home would never go into the lounge where the comfortable seating was because of what was on TV. "I don't want to watch killing and wickied stuff. I want to watch things that will make me laugh. This makes me afraid of the men here who like watching it." At least she was still ambulatory and could go elsewhere. I think you are raising a legitimate issue.
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