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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think care homes need more age-appropriate entertainment?

344 replies

myislandhome · 06/06/2026 15:12

My MIL is 91, born 1935. She has recently gone into a care home. So far, all of the entertainment in the home has been so dated - lots of WW2 focus, songs including roll out the barrel and white cliffs of dover etc. I do realise it's currently the D day celebration but it hasn't been just this weekend.
It's driving me mad, MIL was 10 when the war ended. She was in her 20's in the rock and roll era in the 50's. My own mother, who was in a nursing home until she died, was born in 1940 and had the same experience in her home; despite being in her prime in the late 50's/swinging 60's
AIBU to think that nursing homes need to up their game with their entertainment themes?

OP posts:
Shinyandnew1 · 06/06/2026 15:38

I would speak to the care home about this and point out the issues!

Original poster
myislandhome · 06/06/2026 15:37

It's the same with movies. My mother was subjected to all sorts of old black and white films. Although I'm sure they were classics, she liked dirty harry, any which way but loose (big Clint fan) and the SAW movies.

OP posts:
Sapphireandsteel2 · 06/06/2026 15:37

Our choir visited a care home. The residents loved it when we sang fast Queen and Abba songs, and I helped a lady find some Madonna music on the communal TV. I totally agree.

ginasevern · 06/06/2026 15:36

It's crazy isn't it. I think it's partly laziness on the part of the manager. Probably easier and cheaper to get some bloke warbling "Roll Out the Barrel" than a Bill Hayley tribute band singing Rock Around the Clock. It's partly ignorance too in that "old age" is viewed as a uniform condition whether you're 60 or 100. So for example, at 70 I'm sure I'm expected to love lace doilies and old time music hall. Even though I spent my youth listening to Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, T Rex, going to free festivals, smoking weed and living in a squat.

NotAWurstToIt · 06/06/2026 15:35

If I ever end up in a care home I hope they’re playing The Prodigy, Guns & Roses and Metallica. I’ll also take The Cure and The Smiths as a PP said.

Iwanttobeafraser · 06/06/2026 15:33

DH is slowly introducing newer songs where he can. Recently added a bunch of Abba to his reportoire (on request) and he's working a wider range of 60s stuff!

Gofaster2023 · 06/06/2026 15:33

I love caring because most of my clients have had the most interesting lives- working abroad, fascinating jobs. One elderly lady would have riled up the posters on another thread - she had a bar of rainbow soap and a rainbow shower puff in her bathroom and a wee rainbow pin on her top. She's a really fun visit!

Original poster
myislandhome · 06/06/2026 15:33

Why on earth do they continue to do this? It's crazy.

OP posts:
NotAnotherScarf · 06/06/2026 15:32

When my niece worked in one she borrowed my cds. I am 57 and into 1950s rock and roll. So I had a lot of cds which, with compilations, crossed into the 60s too

Rituelec · 06/06/2026 15:32

Yanbu. My nan was born in 1947 and her favourite show was naked attraction and the inbetweeners 😆

Lilyhatesjaz · 06/06/2026 15:31

I completely agree with you. My auntie is in her 80s and she likes Queen.
When I was in hospital I got asked the date the war started as one of my is she able to know what is going on questions, I was born in the 60s, I told them I'm not very good at history. The date of the London olympics would have been more appropriate.

daysofpearlyspencer · 06/06/2026 15:30

I want Northern Soul but fear I will get Vera Lynn on a loop....

Therewerelionsonce · 06/06/2026 15:30

Totally agree, if I ever have to live in a care home they had better be playing The Jam, Smiths and The Cure.

Original poster
myislandhome · 06/06/2026 15:30

Gofaster2023 · 06/06/2026 15:28

I was thinking about this the other day. I've noticed it too, but I suppose war time and the years following is a shared experience - even just cultural hangovers from the war itself. Most people know the songs and they conjure a memory. Other generations don't have that so much and it's very hard to pick music that everyone will like. I'll be gutted if they force me to listen to the spice girls or westlife when in reality I was listening to Nirvana at the time! I was in a lady's home the other day and while I was dusting, I came across her Pink Floyd lps which was pretty cool!

My only experience of the war and the years following would be from movies. I am only 60 though.

OP posts:
Gofaster2023 · 06/06/2026 15:28

I was thinking about this the other day. I've noticed it too, but I suppose war time and the years following is a shared experience - even just cultural hangovers from the war itself. Most people know the songs and they conjure a memory. Other generations don't have that so much and it's very hard to pick music that everyone will like. I'll be gutted if they force me to listen to the spice girls or westlife when in reality I was listening to Nirvana at the time! I was in a lady's home the other day and while I was dusting, I came across her Pink Floyd lps which was pretty cool!

RollonSpringplease · 06/06/2026 15:21

I'm a post war baby and there's lots of people my age in homes. I'd hate to have all the wartime stuff as it's not my era. Mine was The Beatles. My clothes were Mary Quant and Biba style, mini skirts and hot pants, not 40s and 50s dresses. It's time that care homes staff realise that their residents have different memories and interests.

IAmBeaIDrinkTea · 06/06/2026 15:19

YANBU - if I'm ever in one, I want some Bros, Kylie and Jason and Madonna playing 😁

PinkBuffalo · 06/06/2026 15:16

YANBU my mum only in her 60s in a nursing home and I often bring this up. My mum likes the scissor sisters music!

SassyLemonFish · 06/06/2026 15:15

Completely agree. The situation is ridiculous.