Concerns arise about elderly residents who may lose their TV signals after digital switch

Andra Coberly
December 3, 2007

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The countdown is tick, tick, ticking away. It now reads just a few more than 400 days, but each day, hour, minute and second that number falls away. Most people will not need to pay attention to the impending expiration -- because most will not be affected when the countdown hits zero.

When the digital age officially starts, most people won't even blink an eye.

But for those who still watch TV on old-time sets, complete with delicately adjusted rabbit ears, the countdown is a looming concern. When the zero hour hits, those TVs will go black, and the country's low-income, elderly or homebound could get left out of the picture.

On Feb. 18, 2009, as mandated by Congress, analog television broadcasting -- also known as free over-the-air programming by rooftop antenna or "rabbit ears" -- will cease and digital broadcasts will take over. The change will not impact the majority of TV watchers, those who pay for their TV through cable or satellite. But TV screens in an estimated 20 million American households that get programming through free analog broadcasts will cease to pick up signals in early 2009, unless action is taken before the switch.

The primary fix for those who want to continue getting free TV programming will likely be to purchase an analog-to-digital converter box, which will allow analog TVs to receive digital programming. Those who have digital TVs with an internal digital tuner will continue to get free programming.

But what is causing some concern is how the switch to digital will impact the low-income, disabled or elderly populations. Those with little disposable income will likely not be able to afford cable and may even have difficulty purchasing a converter box -- even with the $40 coupons that the federal government will make available to help pay for the $65 gadgets.

For some homebound elderly and disabled, their television and their antenna, no matter how archaic, are valuable and cherished ingredients in their lives.

"Frequently, TV and radio are their (the elderly and disabled) only connection to what's going on outside, and I think more and more it's become TV. Certainly, for homebound people, it is critical," said Margaret Long of the Larimer County Office on Aging. "There has been discussion that this change may particularly hit hard the poor and many poor seniors who are getting el cheapo TV."

Long said that she still has many unanswered questions about the move -- mostly, how she will be able to help the community's elderly and homebound make the switch into the digital world.

"As far as how there'll be an intervention to help those who are not able to cope with the switch, it's still up in the air," she said.

Long says that education and outreach will be key during the next year, and that efforts will include information on the converter boxes and the coupons. The Federal Communications Commission has already contacted her about such efforts.

Both business and government officials have already begun their outreach.

The cable TV industry in September started a $200 million marketing campaign to inform customers that they will still be able to watch "The Office" and "Lost" after the transition -- even if they don't have a digital TV.

The FCC has set up an extensive Web site to answer almost any question about the digital transition. And the federal government has allotted $5 million for consumer education.

"We can assume it will affect a lot of seniors on fixed incomes. For them, it's cable or medicine. It's not that they don't want cable TV. For anyone with a low-income it's not an option," said Amy Nofziger, director of Colorado Elderwatch.

The FCC and other federal bureaus are now working with state and local agencies to prepare for the switch and to begin education efforts with residents who may be impacted. Colorado Elderwatch, a program coordinated by the Attorney General and the AARP Foundation that serves to fight exploitation of the state's elderly population, held a symposium a few weeks ago to train those who work with the elderly.

"We understand that for the disabled and homebound population TV is a connection to the outside world. That's where they are receiving their news and emergency alerts and weather alerts," Nofziger said. "That's why this transition is starting now, even though the real switch won't happen for a year and months. We do really recognize the importance of TV in people's lives and the information that they are getting from television."

Both Long and Nofziger say that the transition and the efforts of education are much more than just letting the elderly and homebound know where they can get a converter box or how they'll get coupons. Concerned organizations and agencies like Elderwatch also fear that some elderly residents will be taken advantage of in the midst of the transition or that those in rural areas will not be informed about the switch. They fear that the technology will be too complicated or too expensive.

"The one thing that Elderwatch is seeing as a possibility is scams and fraud surrounding this issue," Nofziger said. "It can be confusing when it comes to technology... We will be making sure people know what to look for and how the processes are supposed to work."

More and more issues arise as Long learns more about the transition. Soon, she hopes to find answers to all of her questions so she can help others step into the digital era.

"It's coming and it's going to create some significant issues," she said. "Nothing is ever simple."

BREAKOUTS:

Who is impacted by the switch?

If you now have cable or satellite, you will not be impacted by the transition to full digital system. But if you currently have free TV programming through an antenna, you will likely need to purchase an analog-to-digital converter box from stores like Wal-Mart or Circuit City. If you currently have a digital TV with an internal digital tuner, you will still be able to get free TV programming after the switch.



What about the coupons?

The federal government has created the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Program, which will offer two coupons for converter boxes to every home in the country. Congress has set aside $990 million for the coupons, and each coupon is worth $40 toward the converter box. The coupons can be requested at the beginning of 2008. Manufacturers, thus far, have estimated that the technology will cost between $50 and $70.

It is still up in the air whether nursing homes or assisted living facilities will be eligible for a coupon.

Why the switch?

According to the FCC Web site, the transition to digital will open up airwaves for public safety and emergency communications like police and fire departments. Digital proponents also say that the picture will be much clearer and crisper because digital signals are broadcast in DVD quality.

For more information

Visit www.dtv.gov or call (888) 225-5322. For information on the Digital-to-Analog Converter Box Coupon Program, visit www.ntia.doc.gov/dtvcoupon or call (888) 388-2009.