Watching television and movies can provide comfort and stimulation for individuals with dementia when the content is chosen carefully. However, selecting inappropriate or overstimulating programs can cause confusion, anxiety, and agitation. Finding the right media involves understanding the person's preferences, cognitive abilities, and past interests to ensure a positive and engaging experience. The goal is to provide beneficial visual and auditory stimulation that connects with long-term memories without causing stress.
Appropriate Content for People with Dementia
Nostalgic and Familiar Programming
Familiar sights and sounds can trigger pleasant, distant memories, providing a comforting sense of recognition. Classic movies and TV shows from a person's youth are excellent choices.
- Classic sitcoms: Shows like I Love Lucy, The Andy Griffith Show, and The Golden Girls have simple storylines and familiar characters, making them easy to follow.
- Musicals: The combination of lively music and simple plots in films like Singin' in the Rain and The Sound of Music can be uplifting and calming.
- Old animated shorts: Cartoons like Bugs Bunny and Tom and Jerry rely on visual gags and familiar music, making them entertaining even if dialogue is lost.
- Documentaries and nature videos: Nature programs like BBC's Planet Earth or soothing clips of ocean waves can be engaging without a complex plot.
Calming and Sensory-Focused Content
For those who experience anxiety, particularly during a phenomenon known as “sundowning,” specialized calming content can be highly effective. These videos prioritize gentle pacing and sensory stimulation over narrative complexity.
- Ambient videos: Videos featuring serene landscapes, aquariums, or crackling fireplaces provide a calm, immersive experience.
- Music-based therapy: Curated playlists of favorite music from a person's younger years can be highly effective at improving mood and stimulating memories.
- Specialized streaming services: Platforms like Zinnia TV and My Life TV create content specifically for people with dementia, offering ad-free, plotless, and calming videos.
Feel-Good and Positive Films
Upbeat, positive films can improve mood and reduce stress. Look for movies with simple, heartwarming storylines.
- Fried Green Tomatoes
- Driving Miss Daisy
- The Great British Baking Show (reality TV)
- It's a Wonderful Life
- My Octopus Teacher (documentary)
Content to Avoid
It is equally important to know what types of media can cause distress or confusion. Avoid content with the following characteristics:
- Complex or fast-paced plots: Multi-layered narratives, quick cuts, and numerous characters can overwhelm and frustrate someone with dementia.
- Frightening or depressing content: Graphic, violent, or intensely sad themes can trigger fear and anxiety. This includes action films, suspenseful thrillers, and horror movies.
- Confusing news reports: News stories, especially those detailing tragedies, can be distressing because people with dementia may not be able to distinguish between events happening now and things they remember from the past.
- Disruptive commercials: Frequent ad breaks can be confusing and misleading, disrupting the viewing experience. Choosing ad-free platforms or DVDs is often preferable.
How to Select Media for a Loved One
When choosing media, a personalized approach is key. Consider the person's past hobbies, career, and personal interests. A former sports fan might enjoy classic games or highlight reels, while someone who loved cooking could find a simple cooking show engaging.
| Selection Criteria | Best Practices | Reason | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theme | Lighthearted, positive, and calming content. | Reduces agitation and improves mood. | Musicals, nature documentaries, ambient videos. |
| Familiarity | Reruns of classic TV shows and movies from their younger years. | Triggers long-term memories and fosters a sense of comfort. | I Love Lucy, The Sound of Music. |
| Plot Complexity | Simple, easy-to-follow storylines with few characters. | Prevents confusion and frustration. | Sitcoms, animated shorts, reality shows like The Great British Baking Show. |
| Length | Shorter films and TV episodes under two hours. | Accommodates a potentially shorter attention span. | Cartoons, short documentaries, single sitcom episodes. |
| Interactivity | Watch together and use content to spark conversation. | Enhances social engagement and connection. | Watching family videos, discussing a documentary with a caregiver. |
Tips for a Positive Viewing Experience
Beyond selecting the right content, setting up the right environment is crucial for a successful viewing session.
- Create a calm environment: Minimize noise and other distractions, and ensure the room is comfortably lit to reduce overstimulation.
- Watch together: Sitting with your loved one provides reassurance and an opportunity for conversation. Your presence can help them relax and focus.
- Adjust volume and captions: Set the volume at a comfortable level. Using closed captions can also help viewers with hearing impairments follow along.
- Use the remote strategically: Use a simplified remote control or stream content from a curated playlist to avoid confusing channel surfing.
- Observe and adapt: Watch for signs of distress or agitation. If a program is causing confusion, be ready to switch to something more calming.
Conclusion
Choosing what is good for people with dementia to watch can have a profound impact on their mood and engagement. By prioritizing lighthearted, familiar, and simple content, caregivers can use media as a valuable tool for reminiscence therapy and stress reduction. Pairing this with a calm viewing environment and shared interaction can turn screen time into a meaningful and comforting activity that strengthens connections. Ultimately, the best choices are highly personalized and focus on creating joyful, positive experiences for the individual.
