Last Updated on May 12, 2016
Care England and Sky have welcomed the recommendations of a new academic paper published by the Dementia Services Development Centre, which states that television can bring multiple benefits to care home residents with dementia. The benefits of television for care home residents include:
- Contributing to structuring residents’ daily life.
- Providing a source of comfort and continuity, helping people adapt to new circumstances.
- Giving older people a connection to the outside world.
- Supporting reminiscence or meaningful activities.
- Acting as a key socialising activity that older people can take part in.
- Providing a form of entertainment, a core part of feeling happy and orientated.
In a review of research on the use of television in care homes, dementia specialist Professor June Andrews and Mark Butler, Visiting Fellow at Stirling University and Director of Dementia Festival of Ideas, conclude that television can have a positive role in supporting people with dementia, if used appropriately. The report offers care home providers practical, evidence-based steps to make greatest use of the benefits of television for care home residents.
For people without dementia too, Professor Andrews and Mr Butler state that television plays an important role in the quality of life of residents in care settings. As well as contributing to structuring residents’ daily life and giving older people a window and link to the outside world, television can act as a key socialising activity that older people can take part in. Television allows residents to take part in public events, for example watching sport, or popular programmes, which everyone in the care home environment including staff and visitors can get involved with, reducing the risks of loneliness and social isolation.
The report also finds that the value of television to residents can be maximised by allowing them to explore a specific subject of interest in the privacy of their own room. Key to all these benefits is the quality and relevance of the content on offer, allowing them to select or enjoy content tailored to their particular needs and preferences, whether that is sport, movies or documentaries.
Professor Martin Green, Chief Executive of Care England commented, ‘This research confirms our view that when used appropriately, television can be used as force for good in the care of older people.
‘Not only does television act as a form of entertainment for people of all ages, which is a core part of feeling happy and oriented, it can also have real benefits if used imaginatively to complement exercise and social interaction activities. Care England welcomes further work to raise awareness of these benefits and improve the lives of people in care settings as a result.’
James Tweddle, Sales Director at Sky Business added, ‘We welcome this research that highlights the positive effects that quality television can have on residents in care homes. We know TV can bring residents together, stimulate their senses and enhance their wellbeing, and this research is an important step to raising awareness of these benefits. Having been a feature in peoples’ homes for over 25 years, we also know the importance of creating a home-from-home environment.’
The full report about the benefits of television for care home residents 'Telly On' – Older People, Dementia and the Potential of Television is available here.