Easy to use TV for alzheimer's patients?

gguertin4224

My mom struggles with using the TV remote to watch TV. We currently use basic cable but she cannot remember which buttons navigate what. I've talked with the provider and we have the simplest package they provide. I can do a streaming service for her it it contains several channels she like to watch and is very easy to navigate. Any suggestions? I'm frustrated as one of the buttons she used regularly is for pay per view and she has no idea she's even ordering movies. Thank you!

KikiCruz

Ugh, I feel you: they've made TV way too complicated! The pop-up ads, the notices about subscription-only channels, the complicated remotes…

I have heard on other forums that getting a Roku or Firestick and streaming is better, but I'm not tech-literate enough to confirm that. Maybe others can weigh in.

H1235

We do Roku for my mom. She still has problems sometimes. She actually uses you-tube a lot. She likes to watch crafting and sometimes music. Since the algorithm remembers what she likes all she really needs to do is get to you-tube. She has been using this for about a year. If she had not been used to it I’m not sure she would be able to figure it out now. I think trying to navigate something new for a person with dementia is going to be tough even if it is easier. My mil eventually just quit using the tv, it was just too difficult. Can you put parental controls on her tv so she is not paying for movies? Or maybe use a store bought credit card with only $1 on it? We have not had this trouble with mom yet, but it’s probably only a matter of time. I should really make some changes before there is a problem. I hope you can figure something out. The independence that comes with choosing their programs is nice.

harshedbuzz

Some thoughts—

Many people have success using black electrical tape over the buttons that control anything but power, channels and volume. There are also simpler universal remotes like "The Flipper". We tried it for dad, but it was a failure as he was beyond learning new tech. I did put parental controls on the cable box after he ordered over $650 in pay-per-view one month.

Another option is this service-

https://getjubileetv.com/pages/alt

HB

Rob's Daughter

I have found a remote that is compatible with the TV on Amazon. It only has 6 buttons. It allows you to change the channel (up or down) and the volume (up and down) Power button and a Mute button. It worked for a long while…. sadly now its too confusing.

https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Big-Button-Remote-Television/dp/B01M1UV2T2/ref%3Dsr_1_8?crid=2OOOZNOVW2KO3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.TFFPMq1BGwe9agdzFNY926EOSKqKDCOfe39lzi-wbY7eJrdCxzDfdnKB4wtM9RV24QlnBNAxSKiKubl8VPKfHUXusDIq3jqPPXcQSFhdeT9qSIuuqO0IQwz8IT7L5XfCCN16-5cIqC3uvNESyTArMbbTAEiJKXCLnKvIVKXq1DrBh8f9IJ--5FOg3JPT8GXzGC8mfwTYdCpP0v1E_x_VC20kM73mywnmMn6aGwvYMko.AxHPeWv9MBLWLJa20ZxbYcr4kkyQ_tcd4WNHdqvu9Iw&dib_tag=se&keywords=easy%2Bremote%2Bfor%2Bseniors&qid=1741617492&sprefix=easy%2Bremote%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-8&th=1

harshedbuzz

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/162jzH3FgQ/

cpurola

Jubileetv is what I use to control Mom's TV from home. It is not cheap and does have issues but it's the best I've found so far.

https://getjubileetv.com/pages/alt