Remote controller for the elderly

[AntheB]

The population is getting older and older.  The televisions and remote controllers are getting smarter and smarter and more and more complicated for the elderly to master.  A significant number of elderly people rely on TV for their entertainment.  I have an elderly mother who finds remote controls very difficult to use.  Buttons are small.  There are many to operate in a certain order.  Guide.  Arrows up.  Arrows down and sideways.  Select.  Search...  The simple remotes for the elderly that can be bought online don't sync with Sky. The elderly don't necessarily need to endlessly record and retrieve programmes, they just want to be able to turn on the telly easily, watch it live and switch between their favourite channels.  There is a favourite button on the Sky remote contoller but it's tiny, doesn't have a label, you have little time to press the blue button, get to the arrows, press  to the favourite channel, then remember to press select.... Just too complicated for those getting less dexterous I'm afraid.   Many visits requests are simply to help them turn on the tv and get to a channel!  If the clever designers at SKY could please please design the simplest of simple controllers with on/off, volume control, and one up/down button for favourite channels, it would go down an absolute storm!  People who care for the elderly or have elderly parents would find this to be such a help as well as the elderly or less able users.

[Mark39 · Accepted solution]

Sky already have additional accessible remotes for both Sky+ and Sky Q for those who find the standard remotes difficult to manage.

https://www.sky.com/help/home/accessibility-information/motor-support/accessibility-remotes/articles...

[AntheB]

Thanks Mark29. They do. Easier to hold and touch yhe bittoms, but buttons still a-plenty so just as complicated to use sadly.

[Mark39]

There are 'simple' remotes commercially available which might be suitable. Be sure to check that they're Sky compatible though.

[AntheB]

Thanks for trying to help.  I've inveated in a couple of those but no joy yet! 

[LynetteM]

I have just been saying exactly the same today. My 82 year old mum can't remember what buttons do what. The remote is just too difficult for her. Has anyone found a remote that is simple and will work yet ?

[JoeB72]

Did you find something suitable?

I was looking at this:

https://www.alzproducts.co.uk/flipper-big-button-remote-control

[LynetteM]

@JoeB72  Thank you that looks just the job 😀

[JoeB72]

I bought one. Works perfectly. Was tricky to work out how to ensure turning it on didn't go to the Sky menu, but got there in the end

[grumpyoldgit32]

The remote with the grip Handle has been discontinued and Sky have no interest in providing me with information as to who used to supply them, so that I can order one.

just adding a few bumps on the back is no way a substitute for the one with the handle grip! 

[TimmyBGood]

---

@grumpyoldgit32 wrote:

The remote with the grip Handle has been discontinued and Sky have no interest in providing me with information as to who used to supply them

---

If you mean the 'Easy Grip' then there's an eBay vendor who appears to have some:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/154003546322

As Sky+ HD boxes ceased being manufactured in 2015, anyone making accessories for them is likely to have stopped too.

[grumpyoldgit32]

Hi,

thank you for trying to help. Unfortunately, the EBay vendor isn't selling the ones with the handle. Only the on a with bumps on the back. 
We use Sky Q but the back is interchangeable 

[Yorkie954]

Glad I came across this thread, I have exactly the same problem with an elderly person being presented with what is almost a scientific calculator to operate a sky system. Something needs to be done, I have to go round my mothers house almost everyday just so she can watch her tv, it's ridiculous. All she wants is a volume control, an easy access for emeralde and coro recordings, an up and down channel button and an on off, that's it. Technology is great if you understand it, but useless if you don't, and let's face it, oaps are probably watching tv more than anyone, so come on sky, make it easy for them to watch tv. KISS, keep it simple stupid!!!

[LynetteM]

@Yorkie954 

Try this 

https://www.alzproducts.co.uk/flipper-big-button-remote-control

On/Off button Volume Up and Down and Channel Up and Down. Very easy for the elderly to Switch on TV and watch their channels .

[TechyTommy]

Hi we also have a Flipper but when sky starts up it goes to the Home Screen. You have to press the BACK button on the main controller. Our 103 grandma cannot get her head around this. Did you find a solution?