My grandma is too anxious to watch TV that she used to love. Is this because of Alzheimer's?

lindseyl

Thanks a lot for your help in my previous post about my grandma repeating questions. I have a new question and appreciate you sharing your experiences.

My grandma used to love watching TV, especially drama series and opera. But she seems to now lose interest. Even if I setup the TV and play one in front of her, she will agree to watch it, but as soon as I walk away to do my stuff in my room (she can still see me), she will become very anxious and she doesn't pay attention to the TV show anymore. She will walk into my room every 10 minutes asking me what I'm doing.

Is this due to Alzheimer's or not? I didn't find this as a typical symptom for Alzheimer's, but I also can't explain her anxiety otherwise.

Do you experience something similar?

ButterflyWings

lindseyl - this may be a signal that she can't follow the story any more. This happens with dementias. The communication issues and just basic confusion makes regular conversation and understanding no longer possible. Some PWDs like my husband think the people on TV are real, and that whatever is happening there is in our house. So there was a time in mid stages when I had to carefully monitor what he heard and watched. No conflict, drama, guns or scary stuff or it triggered anxiety or delusions that it was really happening -- to us -- people breaking in, etc.

Your grandma may also be shadowing you. It sounds like she is trying to reassure herself that you are there. Yes, this also is typical of the dementias. She will need supervision more and more.

Did you see this article? Compassionate Care Strategies Using the 7 ‘A’s of Dementia - VHA Home HealthCare and this infographic:

harshedbuzz

@lindseyl

IME, Apathy/lack of interest in usual pastimes is typically listed as sign your LO might have Alzheimer's or another dementia.

Dementia Symptoms: 11 Early Signs to Watch Out For (healthline.com)

Given her short-term memory issues, she probably can't follow the plot arc of a 60-minute drama series or serial presentation well enough to be entertained by it. This would also apply to reading for pleasure. I expect opera would be even more difficult given the need to process storyline in a different language (perhaps one learned later in life), with potentially different artists, and follow a libretto.

My dad also had the issue with confusing TV and reality which meant policing his viewing. He'd often describe having been kidnapped and murdered the previous evening.

You may be able to engage her/get a break if you change up the genre. Some older PWD enjoy the old TV shows from when they were much younger-- Lucy and Andy Griffith are quite popular for some. Lawrence Welk is a staple in many MCFs. Pretty travel shows, animal shows, documentaries are another options. My dad liked Daniel Tiger for some reason. Many PWD enjoy music being played. Standards from their teenaged years seem to be popular, but she might like show tunes or operas as audio.

This might help you understand how symptoms of dementia impact the PWD.

Understanding the Dementia Experience (smashwords.com)

HB

lindseyl

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/177838#Comment_177838

Thanks for sharing! I’m showing my grandma dramas that happened in the history so hopefully that makes it less likely for her to mix up with the reality..

lindseyl

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/177843#Comment_177843

Thanks for sharing! Yeah I think it makes sense that my grandma can no longer following the plot line anymore, given how she couldn’t remember answers to questions she asked 10 min ago.

GothicGremlin

My sister used to love General Hospital. She quit watching that fairly early on - probably because the plots and the relationships with all the characters are so convoluted that they can be overwhelming if you don't stay on top of the plot.

And needless to say I made sure that the Walking Dead disappeared from her TV choices. 😄 Easy to follow the plot (run, hide, get eaten anyway, repeat for 10 seasons), but really gory, and not something someone with Alzheimer's should be watching. I keep track of everything she watches now.

So yes, I agree with everyone that your grandmother's lack of interest may be because she can't track these shows anymore.

lindseyl

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/178005#Comment_178005

Now that I think about it, Walking Dead has a rather simple story line indeed. 😅 Thanks for sharing!

Does your sister proactively explore or look for shows to watch at all? Or does she rely on you to play it to her?

mommyandme (m&m)

My mom always watched a lot of TV. We continued that tradition throughout our dementia journey, especially since she wasn’t very mobile. I was the activities director and made all the TV choices into late stage 5-6. The smart TV was my friend. I purchased almost all the streaming platforms. As HB said, the old tv shows were good while that lasted. Nothing too chaotic, like Gilligans island, which would stress her. Little house on the prairie, Andy Griffith worked if Barney wasn’t too active, I love Lucy was kinda chaotic. We did lots of animals, pets…vet shows( mom was an RN), AGT with animals stunts was good or cute little kids. Pet collective was a fave. Pit bulls and parolees, sometimes. You tube is also my friend, without ads, and you can find anything on YouTube. Ballet, musicals, concerts, oh my goodness, so much Lawrence Welk. I had to change it up from what mom enjoyed pre dementia, (except Lawrence Welk ) No more news AT ALL. Jeopardy and Wheel disappeared. She actually liked American Ninja Warrior. She liked competition and could even understand golf a little (while my husband was over). I tried to get my respite help to change it up but that didn’t always work. A lot of trial and error. And yes, I believe this change is due to dementia. Just gonna say, zombies would be too stressful for my mom.

Youre doing good work reaching out, your grandma is so fortunate to have you.

JDancer

My husband watches mostly game shows, he can't follow anything else.

He's still a sports fan. He'll watch the morning loop of Sports Center for hours. Each time The Top 10 Plays repeat, he's newly amazed. Often watches a game rerun without realizing it- even if is the wrong season. Although some sports now seem year-round. Is it always basketball season????

Grateful he can still work the remote control, most of the time.

lindseyl

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/178061#Comment_178061

I'm happy that he can get the excitement of sport games freshly every time! Sports is special indeed that anyone can catch up at any time during the game just by glancing at the score board. Sounds like a good option for our LOs.

SusanB-dil

Hi Lindsey - same here with MIL and storylines. She couldn't tell you what happened 5 minutes ago. But still loves Andy Griffith. However, she still 'has to' watch her 2 daily soaps. I think only because she has watched them for so long that it is not only part of her routine (and we try not to mess with routine), but that she is so familiar with some of the characters, the characters feel more like daily visiting friends. She can't say who is doing what, but she knows most of them by name. I think that's the only reason she still watches them.

lindseyl

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/178082#Comment_178082

Hi Susan, thanks for sharing. I can relate to your mom. Following routine and handling familiar things comfort me, and I guess comfort your MIL even more due to anxiety caused by the illness.

GothicGremlin

Hi @lindseyl

Does your sister proactively explore or look for shows to watch at all? Or does she rely on you to play it to her?

Peggy relies on me, staff, and her friend M to find things on TV for her. And thankfully we're all on the same page about what's going to be good for her and what's going to stress her out. She lost her ability to choose TV shows not long after she moved into memory care.

mommyandme (m&m)

We did a lot of game shows. She could follow something about them. It also appeared she didn’t know Dean Martin (although I’m sure she was familiar with him prior) so when she caught on to him post dementia, she fell in love. I’m confident she thought he was crooning directly to her. If I tried to turn him off she’d get quite annoyed. If I put his variety show on instead of just looping songs from his variety shows, it seemed she’d get jealous of the many women hanging near him. Makes me smile thinking back.

Arrowhead

Everyone concentrated on the tv watching. My wife is always on the go, walking through the house and moving things. She's on her feet 12 to 14 hours a day. I think she does that because that's all she had the ability to do.

lindseyl

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/178103#Comment_178103

Oh I see, since she lives in a memory care now, it makes sense that she needs more help with which shows to play.

Is her friend M another tenant in memory care, or her old friend outside? I'm curious because my grandma seems to lose interest in visiting her cousins after she was ill. Not sure if it's because she's not as confident and comfortable to social in general?

lindseyl

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/178127#Comment_178127

Aww, she sounded like such a cute personality!

lindseyl

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/178169#Comment_178169

That sounds like my grandma so much. She used to work in farms and she has struggled quite a while to adapt to the life no longer growing crops. She can walk far longer than I do, and she still beats me on arm wrestling!

brownn

Yes, my father had the same. Only Celexa help him to feel better. I got it from a Canadian Pharmacy https://www.canadapharmacy.com/, my doctor recommended me this site. Also learning mindfulness and meditation techniques can help you stay in the present moment and reduce the severity of anxious thoughts. but first, you should consult with a specialist.

SDianeL

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/178169#Comment_178169

my husband just started doing that. He's rearranging things many times each day, the pantry, the linen closet, like he's obsessed. He moves things then gets upset when I don't know where it is. I have to watch him like a hawk so I know where he moved stuff. whew!

SDianeL

maybe old musicals with dancing with not much of a plot? Travel documentaries?

mileyyy

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/comment/178061#Comment_178061

Same me ! but in addition to just watching, I also like to play sports. Now Wall became interested in Pilates. There is more here. https://betterme.world/articles/wall-pilates-benefits/ Maybe you should recommend it to your husband?