I have a grandma who, all her life, has never completed any goals, had to work independently, or really do anything ambitious (her exact words). All she does and has done is sit in front of the TV all day and night and walks her dog for 15 minutes a day. All her friends are far way, she has no hobbies or obvious interests. It's obvious she has depression, and I sympathize for her greatly. She already looks a lot older than she is and you can tell she is full of regrets. Every month I send her classes being offered at the local Community College for non-credit AND for cheap. She has no interest in any of them. I try having her help me with volunteering, but she never takes my offers up. As one with diagnosed depression, I've found myself in similar slumps, but this slump hasn't been going on for over 40 years! I really, really want my grandmother to branch out--and to cut back the TV! Spending many hours in front of the screen is obviously detrimental to her health, and it's blatantly showing. I really need tips. Has anybody here had similar problems? If you have, did you solve the problem or is it just pointless? I'd love to see what you guys come up with. :)
Llamalover47, did you think I was being sarcastic? I am sincerely interested in why you consider bingo better than television.
I had to accept that at 95, 16+ hours sleep daily is normal.
"You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot make it drink." Sometimes we just gotta let them have their own way.
Not all residents liked bingo. They stayed in their rooms. Perhaps they watched television -- I don't know.
Given a choice between getting dressed to go out and play bingo or to sit at home in my comfortable recliner and watch movies or television, or better yet, to read, I'd choose to stay home every time. Maybe it would be "good for me" to get out and play a (to me) boring game of chance, I don't know. I do belong to two book clubs and I do get out to those meetings. I'm conscious of not isolating myself. But as an introvert I really need a whole lot less interaction to be satisfied than an extrovert might.
RainbowPrism wants to know how to get her GM active. There have been several suggestions of activities to encourage, and who knows, something that RainbowPrism hasn't thought of yet might click. I question the premise that doing anything is better than watching television.
Ok, I just made myself cry. I miss her so much!
I would say if the TV was a life long habit, you have to just accept it.
If she IS depressed, she may not admit it to the doctor - but you could ask her doctor to mention it on her next visit ( if you are not in the room, she might tell him)