Loud Cartoons for Elderly Patients

Nurses General Nursing

Published

How do you feel about nurses/CNAs/other staff members turning on loud cartoons for their elderly patients to watch? It has been noticed that someone at the facility I work for seems to go into rooms when residents are not there and turns the TV on to the kids cartoon channel, all the way up to volume 100. Some people believe that the TVs are turning on by themselves, but that seems unlikely. Maintenance has checked the TVs several times for any malfunctioning issues, and there appears to be none. Also, some of the residents have noted that their remotes are not where they left them when they leave their rooms, so that makes it seem even more likely that someone is purposely turning on the TV to loud cartoons. While some of the residents brush it off or seem oblivious to it happen, others have made numerous complaints. One resident put on her call lights at least 8 times during the shift because she could hear the loud TV in the next room, where nobody was watching TV.

At other facilities, sometimes they gather residents into the living area and turning on the TV to--you guessed it--cartoons without any feedback from the residents as to what they actually want to watch.

It seems like a strange situation, for sure. Some people think someone is pulling a prank, while others are annoyed, because they feel like someone is treating these elderly patients like children. What are your thoughts? I am not sure what to think about this.

That is very strange, and it almost borders on abuse. Never saw that at all in the nursing home/rehab I worked in.

It is strange. Never thought about it as abuse, but I suppose it could be construed that way if this person continuously turns on these loud cartoons purposely, knowing full well others have asked for it not to happen.

It's also a little embarrassing when family comes in and looks confused/shocked because Elmo from Sesame Street is singing about the Letter of the Day and it's blasting from five different rooms.

Specializes in Mental Health, Gerontology, Palliative.

I've had it where staff have turned on TV programs that my demographic age group would not be interested in, so I change the channel when I get a chance but nothing like you describe.

Could you put out a memo along the lines of "who ever keeps messing with the TVs, please stop it immediately or x consequences may occur"

And get management involved, this person sounds very odd

Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
No, thank you for your response. I have a feeling many of my coworkers would react the same way you would. I guess I want to avoid embarrassing the person because I know I would be embarrassed if I was caught turning on cartoons to the maximum volume. It just seems like a silly thing to be caught doing. But then again, I'm not the one who is doing it, and maybe some embarrassment would be good for him or her. Like you, however, I also don't understand the reasoning for doing this, but he or she must get something out of it.

Well, of course you would be embarrassed to be doing such a stupid thing in the first place. But obviously this person isn't. I vote for public humiliation galore when this person is finally caught. Who has time to be running after her to turn off TVs and deal with upset residents? I would be saving up rotten vegetables to pelt her with when I finally catch her.

Specializes in Psych, Corrections, Med-Surg, Ambulatory.
It just seems like a ridiculous reason for anyone to get fired.

Think potential interviews:

Interviewer: Why were you let go from your previous position?

Interviewee: Oh, well...I used to turn on loud cartoons in empty residents' rooms repeatedly

If someone insists on annoying and disturbing others by doing ridiculous things, then they get fired for a ridiculous reason. What they tell a prospective employer is up to them.

Specializes in Psych (25 years), Medical (15 years).

Well, this TV situation is another good reason to work psych.

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That is very strange, and it almost borders on abuse. Never saw that at all in the nursing home/rehab I worked in.

This behavior creates an abusive environment. The person doing this probably thinks it is funny, but it is not. This individual may be an " excellent nurse", however, who in their right mind does this.

Who has time to continually go into patient rooms plug in TVs and and put on a different station. Look to see who is working when this happens and get management involved.

Or it may be a Halloween prank?

Specializes in ED, med-surg, peri op.

I don't know if it's because ive just finished the mist manic shift ever and now can't sleep, but this whole thread is hilarious. Reading the OP I just lost it. You are so invested in the stupidest thing. And I don't know how anyone would take this seriously. It's a loud tv. Turn it off and be done with it. Also cartoon? The places I've worked it's 24 hour news and quiz shows. And nothing else, ever.

Specializes in nurseline,med surg, PD.

I think this is patient abuse. The person is damaging resident's hearing, plus treating them with disrespect.I'm sure the resident's would enjoy shows other than cartoons.

I vote ghost of the deceased resident.

It's Halloween, afterall, and a ghost that likes cartoons somehow seems less scary than a crazy coworker.

I think this is patient abuse. The person is damaging resident's hearing, plus treating them with disrespect.I'm sure the resident's would enjoy shows other than cartoons.

Yes, I agree with this! By playing cartoons, the facility is not allowing the residents to choose their own activities according to their preferences. And isn't the facility afraid of surveyors seeing this activity - not just in empty rooms, but in communal rooms where residents gather? This is not providing a "home-like environment", which facilities are obligated to strive for. I feel bad for the rest of the staff that has to deal with this.

At my old job it was always soccer matches.

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