Forum Discussion

Stephen93's avatar
Stephen93
Superfast
16 hours ago

Mother-in-Law has Alzheimers

She is 93, memory terrible, had Sky Q for years, now she really struggles with it, doesn't look at recordings didn't even know what Sky Q is, the remote is programmed to switch the LG tv on but she gets really mixed up

I decided to get VM installed & a Stream box, it's been a month & she's not used it until yesterday, I showed her the remote (Alot less fussy then Sky), got her to switch the tv & Stream box on simultaneously, next problem the Home Page, wanted it to be as simple as it can be, I said to her once it's on press whichever channel she wants, she was ok whilst I was there, but when I left & viewed the cameras she really was confused (We have cameras at her bungalow) 

When I arrived she had 4 remotes on the settee, I especially told her not to use the Sky ones, she forgot, is there anyway to get rid of the Home Screen & just have the channel appear? 

Is there anything I can do to make it easier for her, it can be a nightmare with her & technology 

6 Replies

  • Stephen93's avatar
    Stephen93
    Superfast
    12 hours ago

    We're not there yet, she lives on her own, no carers yet but her 3 siblings visit every day, anyway, I've checked the camera, she had VM Stream on it was on Challenge tv, she was watching Family Fortunes & after that Bullseye with Jim Bowen, it looked like she was enjoying it, the screen did say continue watching, she didn't realise, rang & told her to press ok, which she did, still watching it now, we'll see what happens next, I think it'll remain on until she goes to bed around 7pm

  • Adduxi's avatar
    Adduxi
    Very Insightful Person
    14 hours ago

    I had the same situation with my mother and in the end either myself or the carers would just leave the TV on ITV in the morning and that was that until bedtime.  She also had a Freeview recorder but in the end that was abandoned as too much to remember.  The TV being on was the solution and tbh sometimes I wondered if she was really even watching it.

  • Stephen93's avatar
    Stephen93
    Superfast
    15 hours ago

    Thanks, I've tried her on the voice control, it's ok whilst someone is with her, but she just forgets to use it, it's easy just to use the on/off button to switch both on & off at the same time & just use the numbered keys to change channels, she likes Countdown & The Chase, so will tell her to press 3 for itv & 4 for channel 4 at the appropriate times, thanks for your input, I'll try her just on the tv to see how that works 

    • newapollo's avatar
      newapollo
      Very Insightful Person
      16 hours ago

      The Stream box does have voice control, so perhaps you could guide her into using that method.

      Just say the channel name (or number) for example BBC1, ITV, Gold  etc (It also works with the few radio stations that are carried by VM)

      The following page for the 360 box has details of some of the voice commands (the Stream box runs the same operating system as the 360 so the voice commands will work)

      https://www.virginmedia.com/the-edit/tech-and-connectivity/voice-control-on-virgin-tv-360

  • Adduxi's avatar
    Adduxi
    Very Insightful Person
    16 hours ago

    Would the TV just on its own not be a better bet? Less confusion?