When it happens: Late mild through moderate-stage dementia
Why it happens: Waning interest in television, especially in those shows that were once enjoyed, can happen when the noise, complex plots, rapid scene-cutting, and commercial breaks are too much for someone with dementia to comfortably process.
What you can do:
Try slower-paced nature shows rather than frenetic game shows or reality programs.
Try sports events that don't require following along too closely to be enjoyed.
Choose programming without commercial breaks, which can be confusing and cause the show itself to be forgotten.
Play more music. We sometimes get away from considering music entertainment, using it mainly as background sound. But your loved one may enjoy it as his or her primary entertainment.
Consider old TV show favorites programmed into a handheld device such as an iPad. The intimacy of the viewing and the familiar old characters may sustain your loved one's interest.
