Short answer: four settings make most TVs easier for an older parent: captions on, a bigger picture or text, high-contrast text, and their own phone as a spare remote. Each maker's menu path is below, quoted from its own help pages. Rather not do it from out of town? PJ, a local in Cardiff, sets up the TV, the streaming apps and the sign-ins at their place: $59 the first hour.
Who's reading?
- Setting up a new TV or streaming box for Mom or Dad
The settings that matter on each one. - They can't read the screen or follow the show
Captions, zoom and high-contrast text. - They keep losing the remote
Their phone can be the remote.
Pick the line that sounds like you. Not sure? Text PJ and say who you are.
Roku
You need a Roku account to start, and Roku says: "Roku accounts are free. Roku never charges any fees for creating a Roku account, activating a Roku device, or providing customer service support" (Roku). Captions: "go to Settings > Accessibility > Captions mode on your Roku device"; if a streaming app still looks different, "use the app's own setting instead" (Roku). The Roku mobile app works as a remote, and "your phone or tablet must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your Roku device" (Roku).
Apple TV
Google TV
Captions: "From the Google TV home screen, select Settings Accessibility Captions. To show captions, turn on Display." High-contrast text: "select Settings Accessibility. Turn on High contrast text (Experimental)" (Google). On a TV with Google TV built in, Basic TV mode lets you "Use your device without a Google Account"; Google notes some features aren't available in it (Google). An Android phone can be the remote: "On your Android phone, open the Google TV app," tap TVs nearby, select the TV and enter the code on the screen (Google).
The settings that help most
- Captions on, on the device and inside each streaming app (apps can override the device setting).
- A bigger picture or text: Zoom on Apple TV, high-contrast text on Google TV.
- A spare remote on the phone they already carry (below).
- Fewer sign-ins: write each app's login on one card kept by the TV, or have family manage the accounts.
When the remote goes missing
Start with the phone they already use: the Apple TV Remote in an iPhone's Control Centre, the Google TV app on an Android phone, or the Roku mobile app on a phone or tablet on the same Wi-Fi. Then look for the remote. More TV trouble: YouTube TV not working on the TV · what channel and app the game is on tonight.
Have PJ set it up
PJ comes to their place in Solana Beach, Cardiff, Encinitas, Leucadia or Del Mar, sets up the TV and apps, turns on the settings above, writes the logins on one card and shows them how it works: $59 the first hour. Prefer free help first? The library's free tech help sessions. More: computer and phone help at home.
Rather just ask? Text your question to PJ, a real person in Cardiff, and he answers it. Asking is free. Not sure which settings your parent needs? Ask a real person. Text PJ
Sources: Roku, create a Roku account, Roku, features in a streaming app, Roku, lost remote, Apple, Zoom on Apple TV 4K, Apple, Apple TV Remote on iPhone or iPad, Google, Google TV accessibility, Google, basic TV, Google, the Google TV app. Checked November 6, 2026. Menu names can differ by model and software version.
Need a human?
This page is built every morning from public data by SideGuy, run by PJ, a local in Solana Beach. If something looks off, or you want a hand with your plans, text PJ at 858-461-8054. A real person answers.
Local help, free to read: make your fix plan · senior benefits checkup · lower your SDG&E bill · Medicare Extra Help · every 2027 Medicare plan · is my medication recalled? · the next 90 days. Plans start as low as $25. Your parent lives here and you don't? The Parent Check-In Plan, $25 a month.
Questions people ask
How do I set up a Roku for an elderly person?
Create the free Roku account (Roku says accounts are free), turn on captions under Settings > Accessibility > Captions mode, install only the apps they use, and set up the Roku mobile app on their phone as a spare remote on the same Wi-Fi. PJ, a local in Cardiff, can do it at their place: $59 the first hour.
Is Roku easy for seniors?
It can be, with the right setup: Roku accounts are free, captions are one menu away (Settings > Accessibility > Captions mode), and a phone on the same Wi-Fi can work as the remote. Fewer apps and one card with the logins help most.
What is the easiest streaming device for seniors?
Usually the one that matches the phone they already use: the Apple TV Remote lives in an iPhone's Control Centre, the Google TV app pairs from an Android phone, and the Roku mobile app works from a phone or tablet on the same Wi-Fi. Then turn on captions and bigger text.
How do I make the text bigger on the TV for my parent?
On Apple TV 4K, Settings > Accessibility > Zoom. On Google TV, Settings > Accessibility > High contrast text. Captions can be turned on in the device settings and inside each streaming app.
Who can set up the streaming apps on my parents' TV in Encinitas?
PJ, a local in Cardiff, sets up the TV, the streaming apps and the sign-ins at their place: $59 the first hour. Text (858) 461-8054; asking is free.
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