As you get older, it’s easy to stop moving as much as you used to. This may mean you sit more in front of the TV. However, TV is not necessarily bad to watch and can teach you new things and keep you occupied for a few hours. But how much TV should you, as a senior, be watching? You should be watching less than two hours of TV per day. This means you can watch a few episodes of your favorite TV show or one long movie every day. After that, you should be done watching the television and opt to do something else. In-home care providers can monitor your time and help with other activities to keep active.
Here are some of the negative side effects of watching too much TV that you need to know about.
Can Increase Back Pain
You may be slumping while watching TV or have an uncomfortable couch that can lead to back pain. If you are sitting for hours watching TV, it could lead to worse pain, which will make it harder to move around. The worst thing you can do is keep sitting and stop moving around. Getting up and walking can help reduce body pain and inflammation, which is why you shouldn’t be sitting and watching too much TV. If you plan to watch a few movies in a row, invest in a treadmill or stationary bike to keep moving, focus on posture, and watch movies all at once! If you have in-home care, they may be able to help remind you of when you should be turning off the TV or helping you set up a place to move around while watching TV.
Eye Strain Happens
Elderly eyes may not see as well as they used to, even if they have glasses. When you watch too much on the screen, it can cause some serious eye strain after a few hours. This can lead to headaches and nausea. Strain happens because of the glare and light from the TV, which is why you shouldn’t be watching more than two hours of TV. If you plan to watch a ton of TV because it’s raining or too gross to go outside, ensure you’re taking breaks to give your eyes a break. When you have in-home care, they can help remind you to take breaks and find other activities for you to do.
TV Can Cause Poor Sleep
Many seniors choose to watch TV before bed because they think it is a good way to unwind and relax. Unfortunately, the light can cause a senior to stay up. If they fall asleep with the TV on, it can disrupt their sleeping habits, and they may never feel well-rested in the morning. In-home care needs to help create a routine that will help a senior sleep through the night, and this may include turning the TV off before bed.
They May Stop Moving
Although you can set up a bike or treadmill to watch TV, it may not get used as much as you think. The more TV you watch, the less you’ll want to move. This means you have a decrease in activity levels, which can harm you while aging in place. It’s important to put your health first and keep up with your physical activity.
If you or an aging loved one are considering In-Home Care Services near Southbury CT, please call and talk to our friendly and dedicated staff. (203) 744-8380
Home Care Advantage provides quality Non-Medical Home Care for seniors and families in Danbury, Bethel, Easton, Newtown, Redding, Ridgefield, Southbury, Weston, Westport, Wilton, and surrounding areas.
With over 25 years of healthcare experience working with seniors, our model and approach to non-medical home care services are straightforward, providing you with the compassionate care you deserve. Providing care from the heart is what we are all about; we proactively work with you and your family to develop a care plan designed to meet your specific need for assistance and budget.
In addition to having an extensive work background in healthcare, my recent educational experience allowed me to earn my Doctorate Degree in public healthcare. This achievement enhanced my knowledge of the ever-evolving healthcare delivery system and heightened my awareness that you cannot go it alone to get the best outcome. Additionally, I have seen how some of my family members struggled and were overwhelmed with ensuring that their parents were safe and their needs were met. They did not know who to trust or where to turn for reliable and affordable help. I have made it our mission to be part of the solution allowing seniors to remain independent and be treated with the respect they deserve.
We are committed to providing excellent care for our clients, just as we would care for members of our own families. Please be assured that I will use my knowledge and background to protect and be a trusted resource for seniors and their families.
You can be confident that our caregivers are carefully screened, dependable, and selectively chosen to meet the specific needs of our clients. They are experienced and highly trained to provide excellent quality care and follow a strict professional code of conduct and ethics.
Our caregivers are competitively paid directly by our agency; there is no additional charge to you. Home Care Advantage files Social Security/Medicare, Federal and State Withholding Tax, and Unemployment Insurance for our employees. Workers’ compensation insurance and a fidelity bond cover the caregivers and supervisory staff.
Our caregivers are here for you and will work hard to assist you with your specific needs in the comfort of your own home. It is said that “Home is where the heart is.” Let Home Care Advantage provide care that will enrich your life and help you maintain an independent lifestyle in the comfort of your own home, “where you want to be.” Call us now! We look forward to working with you and your family.
Dr. Beverly J. Ruekberg, DHP, MPH, MA, Ed.
President/Geriatric Care Manager
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