Remote controller for the elderly

[TechyTommy]

Can you tell us how you manage to turn it on without it going to the Home Screen/Menu?

[grumpyoldgit32]

My son can't keep hold of a normal controller. 
Sky used to do one with a strap that goes around the knuckles but stopped stocking them. 
they don't seem to care 

[grumpyoldgit32]

Looks simple to use.

my issue is finding one that's easy to hold 

[TechyTommy]

Hi 

I found a solution to my issue and so thought I'd write it up here in case it helps anyone else. Just to

Recap:103 year old grandma staying with up and we have a Flipper Controller. The issue was how to get out of the Home Screen when first starting the Sky Box. Normally you have to press the "Back" (Desmiss) button. this meant she had to use the Sky Q controller for this one task. However, dispite painting the "Back" button red she still got confussed by all the buttons on the Sky Q controller. 

The Flipper Controller has a "Mute" button on it. I simply borrowed this button and changed it to the "Back" button using the Flipper Controllers learning mode.

LEARNING
Flipper can copy (“learn”) the IR signals from your existing remote control. Each button is programmed separately. When learning TV signals, use the TV button; when learning STB functions, use the STB button.
Do this procedure in low light, as light can interfere with the IR signal.

Place Flipper and your device remote on a table with the front-facing each other;
On Flipper, press and hold a TV (or STB) and On/OFF at the same time till light starts to flash. Release;
Press and release the key you want to copy, say VOL +; the light turns solid.
Press and release the same key (say VOL+) on your device remote till light starts flashing; Once blinking, the learning process for that key is done.
Keep repeating till all the keys are copied;
Press TV to exit.
Check the buttons to see if they copied the correct signal. If not, repeat the process as needed until all buttons learn the desired function. It may take a few tries to learn all signals.

I got this from: https://manuals.plus/flipper/remote-control-manual-7#axzz7PIcdB000

Please note, I programed this button on both the TV and STB options so she didn't mute the TV when escaping the Sky Home Screen. I also found that the Flipper Controller had trouble learning from the controller that came with the Sky multi room box but did learn from the Sky Main box controller. I don't know why this is? maybe because it is older.  

[TechyTommy]

hi @grumpyoldgit32  

I don’t know if this helps but I found something that might work if you stuck it onto the controller with gorilla glue?

Unfortunatly I cant post the URL due to Sky community security settings but if you search "SINJIMORU-Holder-Wallet-Android-Smartphones" on amazon you should find it.

[grumpyoldgit32]

Thank you so much. I'll look into this.

so long as the handle is rigid, ie not elastic, it might work! 

😅

[Crarae]

I totally agree with this post, having just spent a day trying to get my elderly relative to work his sky glass remote, and seeing how confused and frustrated he was getting. So on one hand having the simplicity of everything in 1 set with 1 remote, is then wiped out in trying to navigate the remote. Having to put masking tape over buttons and use white paint to put up and down arrows which are not added to the wheeel

so yes... please please develop the option of a seniors remote 🙏🏻  

[TimmyBGood]

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@Crarae wrote:

I totally agree with this post, having just spent a day trying to get my elderly relative to work his sky glass remote, and seeing how confused and frustrated he was getting.

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Probably best to post that as a new thread in the Sky Glass forum.

Sky+ is very much end-of-life (hardware hasn't been manufactured since 2015):presumably Glass is the one with scope for development.

[hall691]

Contact the Sky Accessibility team.  They have special remotes especially for this. 

[grumpyoldgit32]

They do not have the older accessibility remotes any longer. The ones that you can slide your hand through, to get a steady grip and prevent dropping.

the newer ones Sky offer just have bumps on!! No help 

[grumpyoldgit32]

The accessibility remote controls which Sky used to offer were stopped some years ago. Never replaced with anything substantial enough.

the newer ones only have bumps on! No help to someone with bad shakes or arthritic hands etc

We need the handle on the back battery cover! 

[grumpyoldgit32]

 

[TimmyBGood]

@grumpyoldgit32 

As I noted above, Sky+ HD hardware ceased manufacturing in 2015 prior to the launch of Sky Q: realistically there's zero chance that any such accessories will now be produced for it by Sky.

[grumpyoldgit32]

This actually does work with the Sky Q but I'm pleading for the back battery cover with the handle to be replicated again for the newer controllers and larger buttons.

we aren't all blessed with fully functional hands, as you will discover as you age - no doubt! 

[Bellissima59]

Thanks for the info re the Flipoer learning mode. You and the instructions state it takes a while but how long, please? I've been trying to train it to learn the 'back button' off and on for 2.5 hours in the dark/low light.

should I have Sky on when I try it? How long did it take you to train it?

another question, if I may:  how do I switch from Sky to TV mode? TV mode seems to do nothing - even though I programmed it to work.