Dad had a stoke about two months ago today, before that he had small signs of dementia and w/the stoke he's gotten worst cognitively. My question is how do you keep him from messing up his TV signal and if there are simple ways for him to use the remote control. He has removed cables and messing up the other TV's in the house. We show him to remind him but he forgets, he loves the Turner Classic Movie channel and all sports channel but when I come and visit there is no signal at home on his TV. He's wakes up all hours of the night and w/o TV on he moves around the house waking MOm and brother. Do you sugguest a Flat screen TV hanging from the wall would keep him from messing with cables. Are there small remotes that are simple to use?
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Perhaps the cable company could provide some statistics on the use of electricity when the connection is left on.
I do understand your friend's practice though. We were raised very frugally, something for which I'm appreciative now.
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I can understand your friend not having things plugged in when not in use because so many items today are always "on" when not in use. And that draws power. TV's are a big draw on the meter.
I came across a new invention recently called Button Blocker. It's not a remote- but rather, it's a removable cover that you can put onto the remote, and it covers all but the most necessary buttons (uncovered buttons include power, guide, volume).
It's easy enough to use too- snaps on and off. What's also cool is that it glows in the dark. Right now you can order off of their website- just google Button Blocker remote control cover.
This remote is awesome. It only has features for on/off, channel up/down, volume up/down and mute. I'll post back if I can find the name of it. It looks like some others have listed some good ones too.
Now, about fidgeting with the cables, I don't know. A remote control won't help you with that.
My mother often gets her TV and cable box out of sync, even with the simple remote control. She does this by pointing the remote in the wrong direction when she turns the TV off or on. The flipper has an easy way to get them back in sync, but someone with advanced dementia may have a harder time with it. I wish they would stop having separate cable boxes, but it is apparently easier in this HD age.
The Sony I have has actual buttons on the right side of the TV for On/Off, Volume, Channels.... something an elder can relate to. My Samsung has such controls on the front which are used by "touch", but those labels are tiny to see.
Ok, I understand using the channel changer button could be exhausting if one wanted channel 500 and the TV is currently set on channel 4, that's a lot of button pushing :(
A flat screen may help but it would have to be placed very high as there are buttons on the side of the screen that he can get to and push.
I'm wondering if you could prepare simple instructions for him and tape them to the remote.
I think a flat screen that's not accessible would at least prevent him from changing the cable configuration, assuming that he wouldn't get up on a stool or chair or something to access them.
You might also call the cable supplier and find out if there's a way to disable all functions except for the channels he likes - not sure it's possible, but it's worth a try.
Wouldn't you think that something in such widespread use as a cable remote would have adaptations for people with challenges?