Hi everyone
My mom is seventy years old and has white brain matter disease. It has really progressed quickly and is only getting worse by the day. My main concern is that mom sleeps in every day untill 11-12noon and then watches t.v. all day while sitting in her chair. Mom does not do crafts and she will not play bingo and mom is very very very stubborn. Mom is so frail that she fell again recently and fractured her elbow and her sixth rib. The paramedic and emergency room visits could be eleviated with some muscle tone streghthening and stamina. Mom is so weak and basically only leaves her house about twice a week (her hair appt. or to go to the bank).
Her short term memory is horrilbe but her long term seems to be easier for her at times. I want to send her to adult day care a few times a week while we are all off at work and school (to socialize and engage with people) but she totally refuses any out door conections of any kind. She prefers only her t.v.
HELP what can I do????
Thanks
Lesleeharned@sbcglobal.net

dearest leslee....Mom was same way.....I took her to daycare as a visitor to see how she would like it.....at first she thought I was going to leave her there.....I assured her I was NOT.....she forgot about it for awhile but I insisted that it was this daycare or someone would have to come in while I went to school a couple of days a week....If I didn't persue this, she would sleep all day. In most cases a van will pick them up at door, as in my case.....they say, don't give them an "OUT" or they will take it....now Mom thinks she is going to work and like it, even though she can't remember what they did that day or had for lunch.....oh well, anyway...give it a try.....check out places near you.....she goes M-W-F at $82.00 p/day but it is worth it.....she has a sense of worth and there is an RN on staff......they go on short day trips and have music, crafts, or can just sit in the sun room....but they encourage them to join in........let us know, friend.

ZOEY

Hi Leslie and Zoey. My ma's 87 and sits in her recliner watching TV all the time. It's on right now. I can hear it on my monitors and, quite honestly it's rather annoying for ME too. The TV is my baby sitter when I am not immediately available to my mom. She and I live alone. I have a nurse come in twice a week, which gives me time to do the shopping etc. and I take her to church each Sunday. Now that it's very cold, my mom says that she's comfortable just sitting. I know it's a balancing act of sorts and we don't want the person to just waste away while they sit and watch TV, but for me there is the reality of "burn out". Quite honestly, this is my first time ever in a "chat" room so I'm at least happy to know that there are other people like you out there.

Hello All. My father is like that. God forbid he miss CNN or Fox news! If Mom or I ask to change the channel, he has a fit. He also sleeps most of the time ( when not watching TV). He won't read or do crossword puzzles. All he care about is curling up with his favorite "blankie" and watching TV. He is never without that blanket! Anyway, I can relate to those of you who say all your Mom or Dad does is watch TV. I told Mom about adult day care, but Dad refuses to go. This is my first time with this chat room. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get Dad off the couch. I think he is stuck!

My husband has always loved to watch TV. I hate it! He sits most days for 10-12 hours watching mainly Fox news. He also loves to watch movies--westerns, old movies,etc. I got so tired of hearing it all day, that I bought him a really good set of headphones, and at least it gives me relief from the constant noise. I don't know what to do to get him up from his chair. He isn't interested in doing anything. He also sleeps a lot during the day--just dozes off. I don't know if this is a symptom of dementia or not.