
Palliative Definition: What Is Palliative Care, And Who Needs It?
How easy it is when we get sick to transform from an independent, self-reliant, and strong individual to someone needy and dependent on the mercy
Television remains the number one media entertainment platform for young and old audiences alike. In fact, from 2021 to 2022, there were 122.4 million TV households in the US, according to Statista.
American seniors find many benefits in watching their favorite shows on TV. It’s a form of relaxation, enjoyment, and a way to get information and be up-to-date with the latest news. TV viewing has become an irreplaceable pastime for many seniors, but it also poses health risks that will make your loved one want to give it up as a hobby.
In this article, learn how and why watching too much television is bad and know some healthy alternative activities you and your loved one can do off the screens.
Research suggests that on average, seniors in the United States watch three hours of television per day. The pursuit of active living is crucial for seniors’ health and well-being, and too much television can be detrimental to this goal. In 2023, as more seniors age, it’s important to consider the amount of time they spend sitting in front of the TV.
Did you know that too much screen time has debilitating effects on health? Not only for seniors but also for the general population. Over 3½ hours of watching TV per day is considered excessive and can lead to an increased risk of chronic diseases, according to experts.
Watching TV per se isn’t bad. But nowadays, the content shared on most TV channels, especially news, is almost always about violence, crimes, pandemics, government problems, etc.
Watching television is bad if you keep seeing these negative things because they can harm mental well-being, especially for older and younger family members with unstable mental states that are particularly receptive to the negativity shown on TV.
It’s difficult to unsee the terrible things you see on the screens. While watching the news helps you be aware of what’s happening worldwide, it can also potentially make your loved one anxious and stressed.
TV is just like any other tool. How you use it will determine if it’s bad or good for you. At large, watching TV for two hours a day is safe. More hours than this leads to a sedentary lifestyle. Here are the top reasons why indulging in TV may be bad for your loved one’s health.
At a glance, TV seems like a harmless activity, but it is as harmful to the brain as smoking or obesity. Watching too much TV can change the brain.
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Watching TV between 30 minutes to two hours each day is fine. It would be much healthier if you could further reduce the time spend on it. Here are some indications that you and a loved one are watching too much TV.
A new study published in a prominent journal found that, on average, seniors watch three hours of television per day, which can lead to issues such as obesity, decreased mobility, and social isolation.
Older people need to engage in an active lifestyle that, as much as possible, excludes or minimizes TV viewing in their daily routine. If your loved one needs help creating, planning, and implementing a healthier routine that involves physical activities, in-home care services are an option. You can contact a caregiver to help monitor your daily routine and hours of TV viewing.
Instead of spending an entire day in front of the TV, seniors can pursue active living by engaging in community activities, spending time with children and grandchildren, or taking up a new hobby.
Lazing out in the afternoon in front of your TV is a waste of precious time. These selected meaningful activities can help you or your senior mom or dad stay active and healthy.
Watching TV isn’t entirely bad for your senior parent’s health as long they know how to limit the time spent on it. One tip to control viewing time is implementing a TV schedule in your home. For example, you or your loved one can only watch TV in the evening for a max of two hours.
We’ve used this strategy at our assisted homes so residents enjoy off-the-screen activities during the day, such as gardening and art classes, and get adequate, restful sleep at night.
Watching TV is a good after-dinner idea and weekend get-together activity if you keep it within a healthy limit. If too much television becomes disruptive to the health of your loved one and gets in the way of completing their daily tasks, it is no longer a harmless hobby.
While it’s okay to enjoy a movie or two each week, seniors should be mindful of the amount of time they spend in front of the screen. Subscribing to high-quality video services that have enormous menus, such as Netflix or Amazon Prime, can make television and movie accessibility too easy.
Don’t watch TV for more than two hours a day. If you ever caught a loved one having a hard time walking away from the TV screen, suggest meaningful things to make good use of your time.
Encourage your loved one to join social events organized by your local senior centers to motivate them to spend their downtime on things with meaning. Otherwise, find a caregiver to help them organize a healthy daily schedule and explore activities that skip the use of screens.
In summary, pursuing an active lifestyle is the best way for seniors to live fulfilling lives in their golden years.
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