Ever wondered why TV is an important routine for most seniors?
Television shows fill in the gap to keep seniors occupied when family members are away for work. If you have a loved one who stays glued to the screen or has requested you to get them a new TV, it might lead you to wonder what they watch on TV.
There are many TV channels and even more TV shows that leaves seniors spoilt for choice. Seniors watch according to their tastes, personality, and preferences. Nowadays there is also the option of streaming YouTube videos on the smart TV.
Let’s dive into the interests of seniors on TV.
What Do Seniors Watch On TV?
If you recently discovered that your parent or grandparent is spending hours at their favorite seat watching TV, this is what they might be watching:
News
There are tv channels that air news for 24 hours such as CNN and BBC. If your parent was fond of catching up with news, this interest does not go away with age.
Documentaries
Seniors are fond of nature as it keeps their spirits up. The documentaries are also a great way to connect with nature especially if they live in the city. For instance, planet earth is an interesting documentary
Dramas
Dramas TV shows on Netflix or other networks are fun, interesting, and sometimes addictive. Seniors keep up with tv dramas to occupy their free time. Some interesting drama shows for seniors include:
- The crown
- The Marvelous Mrs.Maisel
- Downton Abbey
- Comedies
Is It Okay For Seniors To Watch TV For Long?
If your parent or grandparent spends all day watching TV, it is right for you to get concerned. While watching television offers unending entertainment and keeps seniors occupied, it is not good for the general well-being of seniors.
Benefits of Watching TV For Seniors
Entertainment
Seniors get to catch up with their favorite shows on TV. If your loved one lives alone, TV occupies their free time and makes them feel like they have company.
Getting Information
The TV delivers new information and seniors need to be up to date with what is happening. The news keeps seniors informed on current affairs and any climatic changes that might affect them.
Disadvantages of Watching TV For Seniors
Watching too much tv easily leads to deteriorating health and mood disorders in seniors. The disadvantages of Watching TV for seniors are:
It Worsens Mood Disorders
Although watching tv can significantly lift moods for seniors, it can also make mood disorders such as depression worsen. It is good to balance the amount spent watching tv to avoid making mood disorders worse.
Decrease in Mobility
If your loved one spends endless hours on screen, they consume time that could have been used to move around. Watching TV also promotes a sedentary lifestyle which worsens lifestyle diseases like diabetes.
For seniors with mobility issues, invest in a passive leg exercise machine to boost circulation, burn fat calories, and improve well-being.
Cognitive Decline
Watching TV does not always make the brain more engaged, most of the time, it worsens the cognitive status of seniors.
Seniors who engage more in activities such as puzzles, golf, riding a bike, or reading are more likely to improve cognitively than those who spend more hours watching tv.
If your loved one has dementia, it could get worse due to the many hours spent on the screen. It is good to balance with other activities.
Seniors in nursing homes also need balanced tv time to keep their bodies and brains engaged in social activities.
How Many Hours Should Seniors Spend Watching TV?
Two hours of screen time on TV in a day is a healthy amount for seniors. This amount of time will not lead to the intense consequences of sitting for long hours on the screen and still allowing your loved one to catch up with their favorite show on tv.
How to Encourage Seniors to Spend Less Time Watching TV
After realizing that your loved one spends too much time watching TV, the main challenge is how to Encourage them to stop. This should be done gently and it requires patience. There are things you can do and activities that substitute TV time for seniors.
- Encourage your loved one to watch tv as they do something else like exercising on a bike or treadmill
- Find fun options to substitute TV time with for seniors
- If your loved one is to check into a nursing home temporarily, choose one that has many activities to occupy their time
- Try therapy to help with mood disorders like depression
Best TVs For Seniors
LG C9 Series Smart OLED TV – 77″
This is an amazing TV, especially for seniors who need a larger TV for their entertainment room. The 77’’ LG C9 smart OLED TV guarantees high-quality images and is the first TV to incorporate both Alexa and Google Assistant.
The TV has cinema-quality images thanks to its 4k resolution. In addition to the incredible images, this TV also comes with exceptional sound. Every movie or show you watch on this TV feels like real life experience.
If you are a tech enthusiast, this TV is a good option for you. It incorporates AI to give you a personalized experience and also features noise-reduction capabilities for the best experience. Also, if you have not used an OLED TV before, this TV is a good start.
For seniors who want to enjoy a life-like TV experience and advanced image and sound features, this TV is awesome.
Pros
- OLED has natural images
- TV has advanced sound settings
- Has Alex and Google, the assistant
- Simple to use
Cons
- Alexa setup does not have some features
Hisense 40-Inch 40H5500F
If you are on a budget and need a TV with high-quality images and easy-to-use settings, Hisense 40’’ 40H5500F is a great option.
This TV features advanced technology that minimizes picture lag, thus delivering high levels of image clarity. With this TV, you can enjoy your shows, sports, and movies without the frustration of low-quality images.
For seniors who have trouble pressing remote buttons, this TV comes with a voice-enabled remote that you can use to have the TV deliver a great experience.
If you are looking to switch from a digital TV to a smart TV and require an affordable and easy-to-use TV, this one is a good option for you.
Pros
- It is affordable
- Amazing voice control remote
- Has great pictures
Cons
- The sound is concentrated at the back
What To Look For in a Good TV for Seniors
TV Size and Display
The best TV for seniors is a 40’’ and above. This enhances visibility. Also, get a TV with 4K resolution and above to get image clarity.
User-friendly Features
As a senior, you will want to look for a TV that makes it easy to use and enjoy. Look for a TV with technology such as Alexa or Google Assistant to allow you an easy time with the settings.
Budget
Having a TV budget allows you to pick the best features from a wide range of options. There are many TVs on different budgets. Hence, prioritize the features you need then proceed to pick a TV on that budget.
Conclusion
Watching TV may offer temporary joy and pleasure for seniors but there is no happy ending to it. Too much TV time causes mobility issues, worsens mood disorders, and even may result in cognitive deterioration. It is important to regulate the time spent watching TV for the overall well-being of seniors.