the best solution for that type of situation is the Web TV or MSN Web TV unit. I have a few elderly friends that have them and love them. It is just a small unit that allows surfing, email, the basics but no downloading, it can not get viruses since it does not download, super easy to use and understand. I got a friend a second one as a back up on ebay for about $70. You view it on your tv screen and it has a remote with it. I helped her set hers up with a wireless usb mouse too. They have a very good forum too. You do have to have msn online for it but it can use broadband, my friend recently upgraded from dialup to broadband and loves it. She had thought of getting a regular pc but just loves the ease and simplicity and safety of that unit and for her it is perfect, I sometimes wish I had one to sit in my recliner and use on my big tv. I have seen some great websites and recipe sites built with the web tv units too.
here are a few links for you
RCA MSN TV 2
RCA MSN TV 2 Internet and Media Player

you can find some good deals on them on ebay too for used ones. But you probably want a new unit with all the manuals and cords and stuff where as a used one may not have that.

Here is a link that might be useful: msn web tv 2

PS I wanted to let you know there are different brands of the webtv units, here is a link from amazon that shows a few of the different brands.
"webtv"

all however do have to subscribe to the msn webtv service for online, this can be done through their ISP with an additional charge per month or if just using this device sign up through msn for a monthly fee.

Another vote for MSNTV2! I have been on MSNTV2 (formerly Webtv) for 10 years and althou I do have 3 computers I still have and use my "Webbie" everyday. Its so easy to turn on to check all my emails and do research and surfing. No worry about viruses or any of the bad things running around the internet because it is completely firewalled.

I don't have mine set up to do it, but it can be networked to the home computer. All the emails are msn.com or you can get hotmail accounts and access them too. When on the computer I just go to Hotmail login and access all my "webbie" email accounts. Even all the bookmarks/favorites from the "webbie" are accessible on the computer via MSN.

Yes, there is a monthly fee, but if you have an isp already the fee is half the cost and you dial in via your internet provider. If you use a telephone line and have call waiting then you set the unit to hangup when a calls comes in and just hit reconnect after you finish with the call. Broadband is also an option on the newer unit (not webtv).

Definately easy to use and for me its my first line of defense to keep my computers safe! I always read and check my email on the unit first and do all my surfing instead of on my computer. Number one is coming here and reading all the latest threats, fixes, etc. I might have to face on my computer ;o)

Would it be possible to use a PCI TV tuner card inside the computer to overcome the space limitations?

If the nursing home is on cable rather than satellite television I would assume it could be practical.

Thank You All for your Great Information and Help! She does
all her finances online, how do we know it's secure? Also, is there a dexterity mouse that is easier to move and control?

Finances should be good as long as she has a good password and is certain to log out after each event. She will be using an https site - the s is for secure.

Regarding the mouse, I have a roller ball mouse same as this. This is a slightly larger mouse and the ball is for the thumb and is possibly one inch in diameter. I no longer use mine because I could not seem to get it precise enough when doing any photo editing but for other uses it was great. It had the usual left and right buttons and the scroll wheel but you used the ball instead of moving the mouse.

Here is a link that might be useful: HTTPS explained briefly

Please see the link for a possible mouse solution.

"how do we know it's secure?"

Use the most current operating system:
xp service pack 2 or
Vista service pack 1

Make sure windows updates are current, visit windows update page.

Always use the most current browser. Using IE make sure it does not save passwords.

All software should be current Java, Adobe, word, outlook express ect. Use a fire wall.

Make sure your Anti virus is running and up to date, and scan with it often.

These are the basics others will add more probably.

zep

Here is a link that might be useful: ergmouse

owbist, I don't think that mouse will work with the MSNTV2. It requires a cd rom for install and the "webbie" does not have one. There are several that do work, but it needs to be usb "plug and play". The back of the unit does have 2 usb ports where you can use a printer (select models), a mouse (select models) or even a router.

Banking may be another problem. Some work great while others are just to technically constructed for the "webbie". Mine does not do well with mouse overs etc. They would need to check with their bank or even post on one of the MSNTV2 forums and ask about their bank. As far as being safe; The built in firewall on the MSNTV2 servers are alot safer then a computer any day. (Cookies and history can be deleted if you wish to do that also.)

This website has links that can answer alot of the questions:

Here is a link that might be useful: MSNTV2 Links

the safety part yes it should be safe, my friend uses hers to order online and I think she does some banking too. The printer you need to check the list they have for the ones that are definitely compatible my friend has use 2 different ones with no problems, for mouse she had to try a few usb plug and play versions till she hit one she liked that worked well, using a usb wireless mouse is a good idea since the keyboard is wireless too, now the remote can be used to take on some of the duties of a mouse and the keyboard that comes with it is a specially designed one that has special keys to do certain things, the usb ports are in the back of the unit so I had her get a usb cord to be able to run it to the front then plug in a little usb hub to plug her mouse into that gives more usb ports. I would definitely go to the forums they have some very good ones dedicated to these units. My friend has learned so much about hers from those forums. You do not have to worry about getting any updates the updates are sent right to the units and remember this is not a regular pc so no software can be loaded but you can use websites like google Docs to do word processing and docs and spreadsheets etc and you can then have your printer print them.. You can set up other email on line if you prefer also.
My suggestion on the mouse would be a small notebook sized mouse in usb wireless. They are smaller and easier to handle with older hands or arthritic hands, I have arthritis and I much prefer using a small mouse.
you can google search for some of the forums but I know my friend said it has links to them on her unit home page.

Thank you all again for your excellent help. We are about to make a purchase, I'm interupted with sciatic pain, so severely slowed down.........
I see the RCA RM2100, Philips Magnavox and Sony Webtv Plus are around $200. Any thoughts or others I should check first?
Excuse please. Must express Primal Sciatic Nerve Scream.....

Don't be confussed with the WebTv units and the MSNTV2 unit. The "old" WebTv is stil availible, but is very limited as to what it can do and has not been udated in years. The "Newer" unit is the MSNTV2 and has alot more features when it comes to todays standards. Its still limited in some areas, but much more up to date and there are updates performed periodically via your connection.

Please checkout the link below for the correct unit:

Here is a link that might be useful: MSNTV2 at Amazon

Yes you definitely want the newer version MSNTV2 it can be used on broadband and dial up the old one can not be used on broadband. Various companies make the units, I have only dealt with the actual MSN units (like this one) so have no idea about any of the other brands. You have to purchase the online connect service for any of them.
RCA MSN TV 2 Internet and Media Player