4 Ways Satellite TV Programing Can Enhance Senior Living Life Quality
We all know traditional cable TV kinda sucks.
It’s redundant, monotonous and with just a few dozen channels to flick through, it barely offers residents the same range of content that suits their varied tastes.
But you can change it.
How? Personalize the viewing experience!
Upgrading the television experience dramatically enhances seniors’ quality of life, making it engaging, accessible and personalized.
Stop with the Tiny Buttons Already
One of the biggest problems with a traditional TV setup? It isn’t made for older users.
The remotes have minuscule, obtuse buttons that can be hard to press for arthritic hands. The on-screen menus are a complete mess, with tiny text and dense layouts that must be hell for anyone with vision problems.
And spare me the convoluted controls necessary to perform basic functions like changing the channel or adjusting the volume. It’s positively humiliating and dignity-stealing when residents have to call for staff to help with what should be straight-up tasks.
Fortunately, we now have TV systems that are specifically designed for senior-friendly operation. Simple remotes feature big, well-spaced buttons, some even have contoured textures for extra grip.
The completely hands free operation is made possible thanks to voice control – simply tell your TV what you’d like to watch, and make it happen! Simplified on-screen menus with big letters and clear sorting systems make it possible for residents to discover their shows on their own.
The aim is to ensure that someone is as confident and independent as possible when using the TV. Older people should not hesitate to enjoy entertainment on their own terms.
Way More Choices that Better Fit Different Interests
Apart from user-friendliness, providing residents with increased entertainment choice is fundamental to engagement. And streaming services offer a world of possibilities! Instead of a handful of channels, there are virtually endless streams of content. They can tailor their TV experience to their individual interests.
Are they a sports fan who never misses a game Yes, there are actual streams just for that. Are you into documentaries and educational programming? Infinite options for lifelong learning!
Whether they enjoy the classic sitcoms they watched as kids or new cooking shows or faith-based channels – it’s all available on demand.
And closed captioning and audio descriptions include those with hearing or vision impairments, enabling wider access for all. Such variety means there is entertainment to excite and energise us all. TV time becomes quality time when it’s proof that they enjoy watching. Spending this time in front of the screen is much more productive and pleasurable.
Free Up Some Space
We should talk, too, about how old TVs make way for physical space when upgraded. Those giant, bulky consoles and big-box screens of yore occupy a lot of real estate in common areas.
But with sleek, slim smart TVs now mounting flush to walls and taking up open floor space, Small streaming devices fit snugly out of sight. Carefully conceived entertainment spaces provide comfortable viewing centers without tying up rooms for a single purpose.
An Investment That Pays Off in the Long Run
Now, there is some upfront budget to upgrading technology, and long term care weighs all expenses carefully. But the enhanced day-to-day living and contentment for people is worth it.
Keeping seniors purposefully engaged with meaningful activity has intellectual and emotional benefits beyond mere “entertainment.” And residents who are happy and active are also easier to assist for caring staff.
Add in advancing television and the fact that costs tend to drop over time, and one has to wonder. In the long run, the investment pays back in comfort and convenience. The ongoing subscriptions may not seem like a lot compared to cable packages of old. And by alleviating isolation and boredom through streaming, they help themselves make a better case to prospective residents. Naturally there is nothing quite like real human interaction and activity.
But designed-and-delivered TV experiences have played an important role keeping residents connected and lifted in spirit throughout the lockdowns and restrictions of the pandemic. And moving forward, allowing more homebound seniors to participate in person, virtually, will also open up their world.
Final Thoughts
Television has certainly come a long way since the early days of three fuzzy channels. And it can be more than an idle “Time Occupier” in the senior living communities, too.
When done purposefully with older adults in mind, TV can really enhance engagement, cognitive stimulation and quality time are better. A positive experience leads to confidence, dignity and independence.
