Auto change TV channel

[bd]

My mother has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and she is struggling to remember how to change channels.

The guide is a definite no no.

We have put an orange sticker on the microphone button and tell her to press the orange button and say the channel number. We have given her a list of times and channels.

She is still struggling.

is there anyway that we can set programmes/channels to automatically turn over when the programme starts. This used to be previously possible.

im sure my mother is not the only person in this position.

thanks 

[roy247]

Hi bd,

If you find the programmes on the TV guide you can set reminders but I haven't used it so can't say if it automatically switches channel.

I understand the problems with Dementia as my mother in law had it and couldn't remember how to turn the TV on.

[1701-e]

I've just tested this.  A prompt appears with default option of Turn over or alt option Dismiss   

It remains on screen past the start time.

[bd]

Thanks for your reply. 
I’ve seen the reminder option but unfortunately it doesn’t turn over automatically.

[bd]

Thanks,

unfortunately I think that this will still cause her problems.

its such a shame that it doesn’t change over automatically.

virgin, is this something that can be added as for people with dementia a simple task like changing channel is far too difficult for them

[roy247]

I have also just tested this with the same result, without going through all the TiVo patents it could be TiVo patented, I think it did change on the V6, you would need someone with a V6 to confirm this.

[1701-e]

It was on the old V+ system but not on the initial TiVo.  There was a big fuss made about it and eventually reminders were added to TiVo for Virgin.  So I doubt it is a patent.

[roy247]

I can remember it happening on one box, didn't think it went back that far.🦕🦖

So if it's not a TiVo patent and Virgin have used it in the past then maybe they can use it again.

[bd]

Virgin, can you respond to say whether this is possible? Thanks

[Molly_T]

Hi bd 👋 Welcome back to the community! Thank you for posting. 

Sorry to hear about these issues for your Mum in terms of changing channel, and that the TV voice control function is not showing to be a work-around for her. 

As the community have already correctly advised, you can set reminders for a show starting, but she would still need to select 'Turn over' when the reminder appears to get the channel to change. Sadly there is not currently an automated function which gets the channel to change automatically. 

You can manage what is showing on the TV via TV Control in the TV:GO app which may come in handy for you? 👉 https://virg.in/tvgo  . You can also read more about this here 👉  How to use the virgin tv control app | Virgin Media Help 

I will certainly raise your feedback and request internally, as I believe we should never stop trying to improve our accessibility and services. 

Please let us know if there is anything else you would like support or advice with! Wishing you and your Mum all the best! 🌞