A tv was blaring loudly as we three entered a doctor’s office. We were the only people there, one a patient, two others present were family members. While waiting I had picked up a business card of this doctor, thinking it might be useful in the future.

I sit and read in a magazine that aging and memory are better served by fewer hours of tv watching. TV watching stops you from doing physical activities, from having relationships, from learning new things. The bottom line is: TV watching does not build new neural connections to help us in keeping dementia at bay.

I walk up and explain to receptionist about keeping our brains healthy, and I show her the magazine article. I ask to turn off the TV.

Then the patient and one patient member go with patient into screening room. I am left alone in office.

Receptionist comes out from behind the glass of office to say, “Patients want to watch TV.” Receptionist turns on tv. receptionist does not even wait to discuss this; receptionist walks quickly out of the office and down the sidewalk to another office. Now what was that about? This surprised me since no other people had entered this waiting room…………….

Guess what?

I ripped up this doctor’s business card.

The receptionist sets a tone for any office. If this is how the receptionist works and handles customer service, then I prefer to go elsewhere. I appreciate this receptionist’s feelings for other patients, especially when they are present. However, when only one person is there, and that person has requested TV be turned off for potential brain health, this was not a good example to see nor experience.

What do you feel?

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