Alzheimer's

What Movies Are Best for Those Living with Dementia?

John Trevey on Mar 16, 2024

Best movies for dementia patients - Barton House Memory Care - Sugar Land, TX

Table of Contents

Best Movies for Dementia Patients
How to Choose a Movie for Your Loved One with Dementia
The Best Moves for Dementia Patients
Going to the Movies with Someone with Dementia

Best Movies for Dementia Patients

Just because your loved one is diagnosed with dementia doesn’t mean his or her life must come to a stop. Many people living with dementia continue to live full lives for years after their diagnosis, doing the things they love most.

While some activities become harder to do as dementia progresses, simple indoor activities like watching a movie or TV show are accessible at almost every stage of the illness, making this a go-to activity for many caregivers and their loved ones.

In addition to their accessibility, movies are entertaining and inspiring. They transport us to another time and place. They teach us, make us laugh, cry and, most importantly, they tell a story. Stories are the universal language. We each have a story, and our stories connect us to one another. Even if memory is declining, someone living with Alzheimer’s or dementia can typically access their long-term memory. They remember the early stories of their lives. This is why movies can be such an enriching experience—they remind us of our own stories as we watch someone else’s.

How to Choose a Movie for Your Loved One with Dementia

If you’re not sure what movie you should watch with your loved one who has dementia, consider the following:

Choose something you know they like.

Rather than picking the latest blockbuster choose one of your loved one’s favorite movies, especially if it’s a favorite from their adolescence or young adulthood, a time of their life they remember better than the recent past. If you’re not sure what their favorite movie is, simply ask! This in and of itself is a great conversation starter with your loved one.

Consider memory associations.

Movies are connected to our memories. We remember when and where we watched them and how they made us feel. What movies are associated with positive memories for your loved one? Maybe they saw “The Wizard of Oz” with their mom so the classic always reminds them of her. Maybe “Singin’ in the Rain” is the first movie they saw in the theater, so the musical takes them back to that magical experience. Choose something your loved one has a positive memory association with.

Avoid too much violence and death.

Avoid movies with a lot of violence or death. These can be disturbing for anyone, especially those who are living with dementia.

Avoid complex plots and storylines.

According to Dr. Hilda Hayo of Dementia UK, avoid movies with overly complex storylines. These can confuse your loved one and make the movie experience less enjoyable, causing them to lose interest and want to leave.

Choose something you can enjoy together.

Make movie-watching a social experience for your loved one. Watch the movie with them. Don’t turn the movie on and walk away. Choose a movie you would both enjoy and could chat about afterward. Social engagement is crucial for those who are living with dementia, so consider a movie a social activity.

Avoid movies that are too long.

Dementia can affect your loved one’s attention span. They may not be able to sit through a three-hour film. Choose something that is under two hours, or if it’s a movie they love like “The Sound of Music,” which is nearly three hours long, watch half of it one day and the other half the next.

Try a musical or nature documentary.

Experts recommend nature documentaries and musicals as ideal movie choices for those living with dementia. The brain processes music differently, so those living with dementia are often able to remember their favorite songs even during the advanced stages of the disease. Musicals also encourage interaction as participants can sing along, which, according to experts, is good for those living with dementia and helps them connect with other people during the movie.

Nature documentaries such as “March of the Penguins” and “Planet Earth” are engaging choices, according to this memory care facility, because they are easy to follow, entertaining and relaxing.

The Best Moves for Dementia Patients

The following movies (or documentaries) are broadly recommended for those living with dementia or Alzheimer’s:

The Sound of Music

Singin’ in the Rain

Mama Mia

March of the Penguins

Planet Earth

It’s a Wonderful Life

Going to the Movies with Someone with Dementia

If your loved one is physically able, consider going to see a movie at a local theater. Some theaters even offer dementia-friendly screenings of classic movies or inclusive screenings for those with disabilities. Contact your local Alzheimer’s Association chapter to see if they know of any options like this in your area.

When going to the movie theater with your loved one, consider the following tips from this dementia care nurse:

Make sure the theater is accessible for those with disabilities.
Sit on the outside of the row in case your loved one needs to go to the bathroom.
Arrive just a few minutes before the film starts so you can miss the previews. (Multiple previews may confuse your loved one.)
Chat about the movie afterward to help you connect with your loved one and to help him access his memory.

Whether going out to the movies or watching one at home, movies can be a great tool for connection for you and your loved one, connecting you through story and through memory.

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Continuing an Environment of Caring in Times of COVID-19

Safety of Residents and Staff

As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to evolve, our communities are focused on keeping our Residents and staff safe while also maintaining Resident engagement and daily fulfillment. We are taking a cautious approach, balancing the highest level of safety within the least restrictive environment.

We will continue to follow and augment State and C.D.C. safety recommendations:

Screening: We screen every employee every day. We require our staff to complete a questionnaire (inquiring about possible symptoms, recent travel and exposure), have their temperature and oxygen level checked before entering the building. Staff are also required to clean their cell phones, keys and wash their hands while being observed. We monitor our Residents’ health closely with temperature and oxygen level checks at least twice a day. We help our Residents wash their hands throughout the day and encourage them to wear a mask or face covering.

Cleaning: We have enhanced our cleaning products with regard for their effectiveness in killing COVID-19 particles and proper sanitization and disinfection, using the EPA’s specific list of disinfectants for use against the coronavirus. We are using this list and training staff on how long cleaning solutions must be kept on a surface before wiping it off to ensure its effectiveness. We prioritize cleaning high-touch areas and horizontal surfaces, cleaning them several times a day.

Physical Distancing: We encourage 6 foot distancing between Residents and with staff unless they are providing direct care to a Resident.

Testing: We test all Residents and staff for COVID-19 every three weeks, and more as needed. Our nurses utilize a PCR test, which we send to a private lab to expedite results.

Physical Changes: We have installed ultraviolet lights in our air conditioners that supply air to the common areas of the houses. This method is believed to be helpful in killing bacteria that is cycled through the systems and pushed back into the house. We’ve also enhanced our HVAC filters to near HEPA levels, trying to add additional layers of protection to keep COVID-19 out of the building. Most importantly, air purifiers have been added to common areas and each resident room.

PPE: Staff members wear masks at all times and we encourage Residents to wear masks when outside their rooms. We also encourage physical distancing between our Residents. Staff wears additional protective equipment when deemed necessary while caring for our Residents. Staff are continually trained on when and how to use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Individual Needs Stay Paramount

The uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 affects us all. At our communities, we are not letting it stop us from safely offering a life well-lived. Above all, we are providing the utmost attention to the safety and well-being of our Residents. Our Program has always revolved around the individualized needs of each Resident and this has not changed during COVID-19. Residents are still able to connect with each other and staff while maintaining a safe physical distance. Weather permitting, we enjoy the patio and large backyard. We continue to keep our Residents engaged through cognitive, physical, recreational experiences. We offer enjoyment and connection throughout the day even during these unprecedented times.

Visitors

Since early March we have restricted facility access to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Essential Visitors: Healthcare providers including physicians, home health, private duty services, physical therapy and hospice staff have not been allowed in the communities unless there is an acute, essential need for our Residents. These services continue as needed through FaceTime, tele-med and phone conversations. If physical access is absolutely necessary, the individual will complete our questionnaire and screening for temperature and oxygen stats. No one is allowed in the community if they fail to meet our screening criteria.

Families: We are happy to help schedule window visits, FaceTime, Zoom and phone calls with your loved ones based on what is allowed and prudent. To ensure the proper support from our staff, our visits are scheduled ahead of time.

Tours and Move-Ins

Tours: We recognize that regardless of the changes with COVID-19, your need for senior living hasn’t changed. For the safety of you, our Residents and staff, we are currently offering virtual tours where you can see our community, as well as meet our staff. Please contact our Community Relations Director to set up a virtual tour.

Move-Ins: We are accepting a limited number of move-ins (unless otherwise instructed by public health department). New Residents must be tested for COVID-19 prior to move-in. Upon admission, we will place a new resident in their room to quarantine as an additional precaution.

We will share community-specific information with residents and families as our quarantine measures continue to evolve with new information of COVID-19.

We are honored to care for your family member and loved one.

Comments we’ve received from our families during COVID-19.

“We appreciate all of your efforts. Your team clearly is a leader in the response to COVID. Thank you for keeping our loved ones safe.”

Joseph

“Thank you, thank you, thank you for ALL you have done and are doing to keep the residents and staff in a safe environment! The continuous learning and improvements empower caregivers and families to do better at home and in our communities.”

Tommy

“I appreciate you taking the time to update us and share them with my family living in AL, GA, VA, MD, FL…we are extremely grateful and comforted by your proactive and decisive measures! We’ll continue to keep you in prayer for health, safety and more.”

Rebecca

“In keeping with the parade theme you had, the employees there are super heroes. They are plowing forward in the midst of this horrible virus and taking care of their patients selflessly. I just wanted to acknowledge their bravery and dedication and thank them from the bottom of my heart for the goodness in their hearts and their dedication to their patients and jobs.”

Abigail

“Thank you! You locked down early & your diligence has paid well.

The Bader support group continues meeting once a month by Zoom. We all appreciate you so much. Everyone comments on how grateful we are that our parents are at Barton House!

We appreciate everything: sending us pictures, calls, alerts to bring supplies/clothes as needed, staying in virtual contact with hospice.
Blessings to each of you.”

Marsha

“Thank you for all y’all and all the staff are doing for my mom and the other residents. We truly appreciate your hard work.”

Carol