elderly couple watching simple tv

5 Ways to Simplify TV for Seniors

By Michelle Wright

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Published

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Time to read 4 min

It's no secret that many older adults absolutely love and cherish their TV. As a demographic that watches almost 5 hours of TV daily, they rely on television to keep them entertained, informed, and to feel connected to the outside world.

Since watching TV is a daily staple for many seniors, it's important that experience is enjoyable and frustration-free. Unfortunately, ease-of-use is not the norm. The notion of TV that's simple for seniors often falls apart in reality, from wrong inputs to tiny buttons and confusing TV interfaces.

If you have aging parents or grandparents, the call for TV support may be all-too-familiar. And you've likely yearned to go back to the days of simple TVs. 

Luckily, there's new TV-based technology that's on your side, ready to save you gas and time, and keep everyone's frustrations at bay.

Best Ways to Simplify TV for Seniors

1. Control the TV, from Anywhere

Woman is controlling elderly mother

Say goodbye to leaving the comfort of your home to help your parents change the channel or unmute the TV! With the Telescope feature in the JubileeTV App, you and other approved contacts can see a real-time view of what's playing on your parent's TV and operate the TV wherever you are.

This virtual remote allows you to do anything you can do with the regular JubileeTV voice remote. Change channels, play a DVD, switch inputs, open Netflix and start a show, or even turn up the volume, all without having to physically be there with them.

Not only is this convenient for you as the caregiver, but your parents will be thrilled to not have to wait for you to arrive to help with the TV.

"To be able to turn on the TV, choose the station and not have my mom need any kind of a remote, has been so sweet," said one Jubilee TV customer who purchased Jubilee for her 89-year-old mother. "My mom now enjoys her nights and shows. The frustration is completely gone with Jubilee TV."

2. Simplify TV for the Elderly with Voice Control

If your parents struggle with small buttons and multiple complicated remote controls to operate the TV, they're not alone! Many elderly people, especially those with cognitive, visual, or dexterity challenges find it challenging to use a standard cable TV remote or a smart tv remote.

Enter voice control.

Ease of use is the name of the game with a voice remote. With a single button, they can access everything they need, from changing the volume and channels to switching to their favorite streaming service or DVD player. They can even get the latest weather forecast just by saying "weather" into their voice remote.

Using voice control is easy. Simply hold down the microphone button on the Jubilee TV remote control and say an app, channel name or number, like "Netflix" or "TCM" or "Channel 5." JubileeTV will find the app or channel and go there.

3. Senior Remote Control for TV

Elderly man holding JubileeTV senior remove control

Dealing with multiple remotes for the TV, cable box, and streaming device is frustrating, especially for older adults who may have trouble keeping track of the different gadgets.

Thankfully, JubileeTV's voice remote simplifies everything for an aging parent by controlling power and volume and providing easy access to all your TV programming, whether it's cable/satellite, Netflix, or YouTube.

An elderly person can use JubileeTV's senior remote control for TV to turn on the TV and switch between their favorite shows and movies without having to fumble around with multiple remotes.

An all-in-one remote eliminates the stress and confusion that comes with trying to keep track of remotes, not to mention changing batteries, making TV watching a more enjoyable and relaxing experience.

4. TV Favorites, All in One Place

Elderly man holding tv remote to change favorite channels

We all have our favorite things, whether it's our guilty-pleasure dessert or a morning news program we can't miss. For seniors, having easy access to their favorite TV channels and programs makes life a little easier.

The TV Favorites feature for JubileeTV gives seniors easy access to the channels, streaming services, apps, and devices they use most often, all in one place on their TV.

To access TV Favorites, simply press the Guide button on the JubileeTV remote or select the TV Favorites tile from the JubileeTV home screen. This brings up a simple screen showing favorites you've added.

Loved ones can set up TV Favorites from The App, or the senior can do it from their TV.

5. Make Video Calling Effortless

For seniors, answering a video call on a phone or tablet can be confusing, if not impossible. They may not hear the ringer, recognize the interface, or even know where the device is. But with JubileeTV, video calling becomes something they don’t have to manage at all.

You can video call directly to their TV with no answering required. Your face simply appears on the screen, turning the TV into a familiar, full-screen window for conversation. Whether you’re checking in before dinner, saying goodnight, or sharing a big family moment, it’s as close to being there as you can get.

One caregiver told us, “We call her on Jubilee and see into the room to make sure everything’s okay. The ability to call without her having to answer is critical to her being able to stay in her home.” 

Another shared, “It gave her a social network again. Friends who wouldn’t visit the facility started video calling and she lit up.”

The best part? You control everything from your phone. No Zoom links. No complicated tech. Just connection that works.

Simple, Thoughtful Tools Go a Long Way

TV doesn’t have to be a source of frustration. With a few smart updates, such as reducing remote complexity, organizing favorites, or enabling easy video calls, it can become a steady part of your loved one’s day and a reliable way for you to stay connected.

Every small improvement creates more ease, more enjoyment, and more confidence for them, and more peace of mind for you.

Meet the Author

JubileeTV Author - Michelle

Written by Michelle at JubileeTV


Michelle is a marketer, mom, and daughter living the sandwich generation firsthand. As VP of Marketing at JubileeTV, she’s on a mission to make remote caregiving better by cutting through the clutter to help families stay connected and in control. Off hours, she’s holding court on the pickleball court, burning through podcasts, or devouring the latest NYT bestseller.

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