Digital switchover & retirement housing

publication date: Nov 27, 2007

John Mills from the Association of Retirement Housing Managers (ARHM) discusses what the digital switchover means for the UK’s elderly population.

The prospect of digital switchover is a major concern for managers and residents of retirement housing. With an average age of owners reaching nearly 80 and many in their 90s with no close relatives, some could be left without any TV pictures. There may be a new generation of silver surfers but many owners of retirement housing are not bothered about the multitude of digital channels available.

A survey of ARHM’s members has found that most have commenced planning for digital switchover. But the upgrading of the communal aerial in a block of flats, although essential, will not necessarily mean a resident will receive a TV picture. Each resident will have to make their own choice about how to receive digital TV signals.

The Help Scheme

The Help Scheme announced by Digital UK is therefore so important. It will offer help to all if a member of the household is aged 75 years or over. It will also help younger retired persons if they receive attendance allowance or disability living allowance.

The Help Scheme will not be free for most unless they are in receipt of Pension Credit, but it will provide for a subsidised fee of £40. The Help Scheme will convert one TV in a home to digital by providing a Freeview box. Or for an extra cost a resident can choose to install freesat from Sky to receive a greater variety of channels, or receive a contribution towards a subscription to Sky.

The Help Scheme will not pay towards the cost of converting a communal TV aerial in a retirement housing scheme; but if residents need help to install say a Freeview box or a visit by a vetted installer to set up the digital equipment this service will be available.

In addition, if a resident has his or her own TV aerial help may be available if that aerial needs replacing. This is the situation of many owners of retirement bungalows. So what advice would the ARHM give to residents in retirement housing?

* There is no need to fear digital switchover;
* You will not need a new TV whatever adverts of TV manufacturers say;
* If you do not want access to digital TV channels before the switchover date there is no need to panic or do anything yet, even if your landlord is installing a new communal TV aerial;
* You will be written to about the Help Scheme about six months before switchover date if you are over 75. Your details from the TV licensing scheme will be used to contact you.
* In good time for switchover you will be able to decide what to do. Go for the simple Freeview box or choose one of the more expensive options if that suits you;
* If you have no close family or friends to put the cables and new equipment together, ask for a vetted installer to call to set up the equipment and explain it to you.

For further advice on this topic see www.digitaluk.co.uk.