topic Re: Is there anyway to easily instruct someone with dementia to be able to use old sky type remote? in Sky Accessibility

Is there anyway to easily instruct someone with dementia to be able to use old sky type remote?

Caroline23red — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 12:13:12 GMT

Is there anyway to easily instruct someone with dementia to be able to use old sky type remote?

They can't afford Sky Q and I don't think that they would find talking to the remote easy to operate either.

A real dilemma. From my point of view the old sky remote is easy to operate. They only want to change channels, record/playback recordings and occasionally pause. I have written down the instructions in (what I thought) an easy to operate way, but they do not use Sky at all, even though they are paying for it!

Any advise would be appreciated.

Thank you.

Re: Is there anyway to easily instruct someone with dementia to be able to use old sky type remote?

lettice — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 13:52:34 GMT

You can get the Sky Accessibility remotes from Sky that work for Sky+ and SkyQ.

Have a look here on the Sky Accessibility help pages for more details;
Accessibility remotes | Sky Help | Sky.com

Re: Is there anyway to easily instruct someone with dementia to be able to use old sky type remote?

Rach271 — Sun, 16 Mar 2025 23:49:29 GMT

Struggling with very same thing - my dad simply can not switch it on too many buttons Home Screen automatically comes up and difficult to navigate all the options. I did try to get exactly the same as you did I was same couldn't understand. I covered all buttons with black sticky dots - except red on button, the back button and up and down for Channels. Correct all l he needs to be able to do is change channels, record/playback recordings and occasionally pause. Complete waste of money and sky not helping completely agree the remotes not user friendly for someone that has dementia or learning disabilities. Offered grip remote that's just as bad. Come on sky just a remote with 4 buttons, - on button, up and down for Channels and up and down for volume or ability to save channels with 1 touch or be able to set a timer with programmes that automatically come on. In process of trying to cancel account - another jump through hoops episode registering my POA was beyond ridiculous. I have cancelled my own sky, brother his and sister hers we moved to virgin media much cheaper testing just now to see if it will be easier for my dad to switch in and off will update you. Just dissapointing that limited support with what I think would be simply tech at moment dad still paying obscene amounts until 'poa registered' as soon as I can speak to a human it will be cancelled find it bizarre that you can add subscriptions in app but can't cancel them.

Re: Is there anyway to easily instruct someone with dementia to be able to use old sky type remote?

brassmonkey22 — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 10:36:09 GMT

Did you get anywhere with this?

I have the same issue with my Dad, he has dementia and calls me everyday so i can show him how to swich Sky on. I show him and then he just sits there watching one channel all day becasue he cannot work out how to change channels. Something with 4 buttons on it would be fine.

Re: Is there anyway to easily instruct someone with dementia to be able to use old sky type remote?

Caroline23red — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 10:37:39 GMT

Unfortunately not. They just use normal remote on their smart TV.

Re: Is there anyway to easily instruct someone with dementia to be able to use old sky type remote?

Mark39 — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 12:44:57 GMT

@brassmonkey22 which TV service? Stream, Glass, Sky Q?

Re: Is there anyway to easily instruct someone with dementia to be able to use old sky type remote?

Caroline23red — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 13:28:42 GMT

They dont have sky glass nor do they use sky tv or the remote. Just normal smart tv amd all

they use sky for is broadband although they pay for the TV service as it wasn’t any cheaper to cancel the TV.

Re: Is there anyway to easily instruct someone with dementia to be able to use old sky type remote?

brassmonkey22 — Tue, 05 Aug 2025 16:50:42 GMT

Sky Q

Re: Is there anyway to easily instruct someone with dementia to be able to use old sky type remote?

Pentre1 — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 11:38:34 GMT

I could set the Fliiper remote to work with Sky and my Dad loved that as he is happy to just go up and down the channels. However the problem is when he switches the TV on and it goe back to the main screen, presumably a marketing reason, But he cant get passed that screen.

Surely if a TV has a button to say open with the channel you turned off on, Sky can sort the same?

Re: Is there anyway to easily instruct someone with dementia to be able to use old sky type remote?

Caroline23red — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 12:49:48 GMT

I feel Sky aren't addressing the issues of the elderly/those with cognitive impairment which would be such an easy fix for them.

Re: Is there anyway to easily instruct someone with dementia to be able to use old sky type remote?

Mark39 — Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:45:23 GMT

@brassmonkey22 the Flipper remote mentioned by @Pentre1 should work fine with Sky Q. See https://flipperremote.com/

Re: Is there anyway to easily instruct someone with dementia to be able to use old sky type remote?

brassmonkey22 — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 19:09:05 GMT

I have ordered one of these - thanks

Re: Is there anyway to easily instruct someone with dementia to be able to use old sky type remote?

Caroline23red — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 21:47:31 GMT

Thank you. I have ordered too, looks great