Elderly face challenges as nation goes digital

ELDERLY FACE CHALLENGES AS NATION GOES DIGITAL
[SOURCE: Gannett News Service, AUTHOR: Ellyn Ferguson]
In a little more than 17 months, people with nondigital television sets could find themselves with blank screens when TV stations stop broadcasting over-the-air analog signals. The change could leave millions of senior citizens without TV service that provides a prime source of news, entertainment and in some cases, companionship. Older people account for 40 percent of the 20 million U.S. households with TVs that only receive free over-the-air analog signals using rooftop or interior antennas. Households with digital-ready TVs and digital converter boxes should be fine with the Feb. 17, 2009, change. Those who have nondigital sets tied into cable or satellite systems will continue to receive service. However, any nondigital sets they have that are not connected will go dark. Nelda Barnett, an AARP director, worries that government officials and business executives will fail to consider older people's "mobility issues, infirmity, isolation from other family members and distance from retail centers in rural communities" in the transition to digital broadcasting. "They will need assistance in searching for an available converter box, understanding confusing and or inconsistent messages and addressing potential difficulties attaching the converter box to their sets," Barnett said.
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