Using Third Party Remote - Seniors With Dementia

[Frank8787]

Good Morning,

Wondering if anyone has used a simplified third party remote such as the "Flipper Big Button Remote" successfully with the new Shaw / Rogers Cable Boxes?

My father is struggling to use the current remote and the simplified option from Shaw seems too complicated.

Thanks,

Frank

**Labels Updated**

[57]

FYI, the new Xfinity boxes have a very week IR reception. They're really designed for use with RF remotes.  People with Harmony remotes need to put the hub right next to the box and place it carefully. When using an IR remote it needs to be pointed directly at the (unobstructed) box and even then, the command may not get to the box.  Trying an IR remote may be worse than a little bit of teaching with the "simplified" (big button?) remotes.

[Frank8787]

Thanks,

Unfortunately dementia is causing him to be unable to do this he was able to do before. Thus the teaching method has been unsuccessful.

What I think you are saying is that and IR remote will work, if it is in a direct line, but may not work perfectly.

If this is the case, then it’s likely worth a shot.

Thanks,

[57]

Do your research on the IR remote to ensure it is compatible with the particular box (and TV make/model) in question (for channel changes and volume and on/off for both the TV and the box?). Also read the reviews online (Amazon reviews?) as they can be helpful to see if people have problems programming or using.

With a simple remote that only does channel up and down & volume, you're pretty limited since it would require many clicks to get to some channels...  Again, make sure the channels he watches are not too far apart.

How about having your father use the voice commands?  Say "CBS" and it switches to that channel...

(I did have a look at the Flipper and it can do more with the panel open for someone else to use.)

[-G-]

Sadly, there are a number of things with Xfinity TV that make it very difficult and confusing for Seniors, especially those suffering from dementia, aphasia, and other cognitive impairments.

As @57 pointed out, the Xfinity TV set-top boxes require that you point an IR remote DIRECTLY at the set-top box.  That's fine if you can operate a remote without looking at it but if you need to hold the remote in one hand and press buttons with the other, it can be a very frustrating.

Another thing to keep in mind when using a "simple" remote is that Xfinity TV also does not lend itself to channel surfing with the Channel Up/Down buttons.  You can set up a Guide view with only your Favourite channels.  However, you cannot use Channel Up/Down to cycle through just those channels; you will go through all channels, including unsubscribed channels, and that can get very confusing.  Also, if you repeatedly press Channel Down, it will stop "working" when you hit the lowest channel; once you hit channel 1, 2 or whatever your lowes channel is, it won't continue cycling down from channel 999.