As Seen on TV - Aging Mom Believes What She Sees
Watching television commercials as a kid, I remember how wonderful and fun everything was. I wanted it all.
My parents told me that TV ads made things look better and sometimes “as seen on TV” was not the same in person – that the companies presented the toys and food in ways that made them look better than they really were to entice people to buy them. With experience, I found that to be true.
Mom watches quite a bit of TV and pays attention to commercials. Frequently she brings me lists of food items she wants to try. Recently, she requested one of those “Breakfast wants you back – crack an egg” items. It is dried vegetables and cheese; you add an egg and cook it in the microwave (yuck). She also requested “Hot Pockets.” She tried both and was disappointed.
The beauty industry is also one that draws her in, encouraging us to try a moisturizer or a serum to reduce fine lines and wrinkles. At least once a month, I get a request for one of these items. Unfortunately, none of them “work for her,” as she is expecting the deep lines in her face to go away permanently and the skin around her eyes to no longer show aging. I love the fact that she still wants to look her best but at 87 (and looking great); they just do not produce the kind of results she expects.
Another influence is the infomercials about “if you have used or been exposed to (insert name of product) and have (insert name of disease/illness), you could be entitled to compensation. Mom has early onset of Parkinson’s and saw one of those “ads.” She brought me her discovery – the reason for her Parkinson’s was exposure to a type of fertilizer used by farmers. Curious that she would even consider this as she is not a farmer and never grew up on a farm.
Aging takes from you and Mom has lost quite a bit as she has aged. It is as if she has become a child again. It makes me laugh and frustrates me too. I gave up providing any advice or attempting to have a logical discussion because it usually ends up with her frustrated or an argument.
Questions for you:
Does your older parent watch a significant amount of TV?
What are his/her favorite programs/channels?
Does he/she buy things from watching commercials?
Helpful Resources: