Help your elderly neighbour with the TV switch
It's all right for Gay Byrne, he spent his whole life in the world of radio and television, writes Brian Byrne. But there are many of his age and younger who don't have a clue about what this switching off of the TV analogue signal will mean.
So if you have an elderly neighbour who might not be totally understanding of this Saorview thing, maybe you can make it your business to sit in with them and explain it. And while there, check out their TV system and see whether it's worth keeping and buying a 'box', or simply buying a new TV with digital reception (Saorview) built in.
For many older people on their own, their TV is entertainment, information, and keeping in touch with the world. It's their 'window', and without it they would be very isolated indeed.
With the level of Saorview advertising now coming out, there could be some of them who are confused, even scared of the prospect of, for all they know, being cut off from the world.
Also, there's a real likelihood that they could be prey to doorstepping scammers who will trade on that fear and take much more of their money for supplying new equipment than is reasonable or right.
So, knock on that neighbour's door first. Well, actually, no. Read up on the 'Get Ready' booklet that came into your home this week first, so you know what to do for your neighbour.
It's the one with Gay Byrne's picture on it. He knows all about it, make sure your neighbour does too.
