I'm really dreading this election year...
Mom keeps saying she is going to stop watching the news, because it causes her to worry so much, but the next thing I hear is the news. She has it on most of the day. She fights depression and it only makes her more depressed and have a bad attitude towards everything. If I go in sit in the same room with her she will let me change the channel, but she continues to talk about how bad everything is. Even though I live here and am her full-time care giver I can't sit and watch TV all day. Does anyone else have this issue?
There has to be something in it for both of them. No interest to me I can't vote.
Houseplant, you've reminded me that some of the cable lineups also have music channels, ranging from racket a/k/a music to beautifully soothing mood or classical music. That would be good background for MomsCaregiver's mother to listen to if MC can find other projects for her to do.
CM, you are just too funny! How about those Victoria's Secret commercials when models slink around in their expensive underwear? The idea that someone is going to parade around in high heels in underwear is just so ridiculous.
I do think though that good works helps balance that because helping others has been proven to be rewarding to individuals. So what can MomsCaregiver do from home?
MC, if your mother's mobility is limited to home, one thing she can do is send cards to the troops. I did that during the first Gulf War. These days we get plenty of free cards from charities. If she has arthritis in her hands, you can address the envelopes or print labels. Mom can think up different things to write about supporting the troops, words of cheer.
I believe these days that there are groups that will collect the cards and send them en masse to troops in country. A bit of online searching can help locate those groups.
There are also volunteer opportunities at food pantries, thrift shops, some hospitals in gift shops, senior centers. If she can travel by car, you could accompany her to help her get acquainted; provide support so she's not alone as she gets acquainted with others.
Eventually, there may be vans that pick up volunteers so she could ride with her new acquaintances. I see mobility/paratransit vans at the senior center on a regular basis.
Other groups make quilts for donation to NICU, animal shelters, and troops. You don't have to be an experienced quilter and from what I've read steps can be divided so your mother can do some assembly but not the quilting if she has trouble with tiny stitches. Or maybe she could help sort fabric.
Senior centers rely on volunteers to deliver meals; perhaps she could go a few days a week to help assemble the meals for others to deliver.
Hospitals sometimes needs volunteers to staff gift shops.
If she can get there and sit down while she's working, she might enjoy the social interaction.
I think the thing is to get her in an environment where she can socialize - unless the people are really obnoxious, that will help her refocus on positive issues.
Katie, I think the negativity is intended to scare us so we become addicted to watching more of the negative programs in hopes of a positive solution. On the other hand, perhaps more people are interested in that than in good works.
When you think about it, previous generations were in many ways at much more risk than we are, in some areas. We now have tornado sirens, 24/7 weather predictions, handheld devices that keep us up to date on inclement weather, whereas decades ago these early warning devices weren't available.
I always remember some of those old movies where a woman is outside hanging clothes, happens to see a funnel cloud, rushes home, gathers the family and heads for the tornado shelter. We don't even have to watch the skies to know about approaching inclement weather.
Hobbies are always a good way for me to get away from the tv, even a jigsaw puzzle if she is able, or an audiobook.
I'm in my mid sixties and I do the same thing! I am obsessed with CNN and watch it for hours a day then text with my 70 year old cousin about what a nightmare Trump is. I don't mean to take away from seriousness of the poster's problem with her mom but this thread is one of the best laughs I've had since I saw Sarah Palin trying to give her speech last night. lol
I wish you the best of luck with your mother as I know how stressful the constant doom and gloom can be, especially on the fox channels.
I began setting Mom's TV on retro channels with the old great shows, food channel, PBS, anything nice. Still those anxiety inducing commercials creep in but at least the main subject matter is better than the news. Maybe you could ween Mom off the news and onto other shows that she will end up liking.
Jeanne, we can pick you up in the spring if you bake the valentine cake.
For me, it wouldn't even be much of a change of climate. :)
The Price is Rght and Lets Make a deal are still running. There is even a Game Show Network, or try the Animal Channel, or National Geographic channel.
The Golden Girls is always on reruns and TNT has great old movies.
There are plenty of choices, the news watching is a habit she has fallen into.
Oh God it's just come back to me - there was also a report on a plan in Arizona (I'm surprised Arizona didn't sue) to preserve and animate the corpses of murder victims so that they could robotically take part in the execution of their murderers.
It wasn't necessarily in the best possible taste.
Speaking of which, I gather Mr Trump has been endorsed by Ms Palin? Well isn't that nice. He must be very pleased.
Hide the remote.
This is the real advice, right here:
Put a child-filter, or child-block on the t.v., and block out the news. If you have cable, call thd cable-guy.
Sounds so beautiful!
No one, especially me, meant to hijack your question with humor and silliness.
We just couldn't help ourself.
Thank-you Send for the adoption idea.........but I think I'll stay here and you all can come visit. :)
Get Mom to watch the BUZZR channel which has the old game shows like "What's My Line"... "To Tell the Truth"... "Lets Make a Deal" with Monty Hall... "Super Password"... etc.