Hello Everyone! I hope I am posting this in the correct section.

I am in search of a Universal Remote, and could use some advice. I have an elderly mother, with Alzheimer’s, that I am caring for; and recently I just switched from the standard TimeWarner cable box in Houston to their DVR cable box. My problem is my Mom is having a hard time operating the remote, because she is unfamiliar with layout and due to her condition you will never become familiar with the layout. What I need is a universal remote that I can program to display only a few buttons (hard buttons are ok if I can enable/disable them). I would only want to program the buttons to operate the following functions:

1) turn the TV on and off (I am not concerned with turning the cable box on and off)
2) control the volume on the TV
3) be able to change channels on the cable box

If possible I would like to be able to have a second screen (or more) that is password protected, so I could use the full range of features the universal remote has to offer; but will not leave my mom confused and troubled.

I am very new to the A/V world (as of 2 days ago), but technology does not scare me (I work in computers). My search, so far, has lead me to the Philips Pronto Next Generation TSU3000 Remote Control. I have only read about a few, but this one seems to offer everything I need. I guess I am looking for a firm confirmation that this remote will help me and/or if anyone can suggest a better remote. I would love to get a color remote, but they are out of my price range.

Thank you in advance,

Ralph

ralph,

the tsu3000 would be a fine choice, as would several others like the Harmonies and the URC Theater, the only thing I'm unsure of, and admiteddly it's because I've never done it, it the password protection...I'm not sure what, if any, remote offers that feature at this price point.

On a more personal note, I feel very deeply for you, and understand completey what you are going through. Alzheimer's runs rampant in my family, and played a part in claiming both my grandfathers and one great-grandmother.

Good luck and God Bless.

Ralph, I would try the Universal MX-200 "sidekick" remote. Backlit and small. Really the only thing to worry about is losing it in a chair or couch.

password protection is something that can be programmed into the pronto sceens very easily.

The Pronto is a good remote.

I have created many configs on different generation of Prontos with a PIN Protected Area. It is not complicated to do, but there is no automatic way of doing it (you create several pages with numbers that jump from one to the other if the write button is pressed, and you need to make sure that there is no alternative way to get to it

I think it'll be much easier for your mother to choose some PDA remote. If you need only



1) turn the TV on and off

2) control the volume on the TV

3) be able to change channels on the cable box



The NoviiRemote Blaster for palmOne handhelds, for example, can be ideal. Your Mom will insert the SD card and then either change channels with 2 buttons or control the volume with the other 2 buttons. And there is a button to turn the TV on and off.



What concerns Philips Pronto TSU 3000 in my opinion it's too difficult to set up and has some bugs...

Retyler,

I did a search for remote control for elderly, and it came up with this. [Link: seniorstore.com]
I can't speak for it's quality or programmability, but it looked like what you were wanting. I would stay away from touch screen remotes as the pronto or PDA, because your mother may have a hard time with it not being able to feel the buttons. Also, battery life is so short on the prontos, they need charged everyday basicly. Don't get me wrong, I love my Pronto, but I think your mother would do better with hard buttons. Hope this helps, and I also would like to say I am sorry to hear about your mother's condition. Alzheimer's is such a terrible thing to happen to anyone.

Mark

Oh I'm sorry about the last post. I was just reading more about the remote, and it won't work for cable boxes. I'll keep looking.

Mark

Try this one. It is made by sony:

[Link: seniorshops.com]

or here are some more:

This one looks very good:
[Link: rdomac.com]

Here are some more:
[Link: seniorshops.com]

I have seen the weemote and have planned on getting one for my daughters. This one however is made especially for seniors with alzheimers, macular dengeneration, etc. The buttons at the bottom of the remote in the picture are normally under a cover. They are used for programming.

Good luck, hope this helps, and let us know if we can help you in any other way.

Mark

This message was edited by Marky_Mark896 on 10/06/04 19:57 ET.

Dear Forum Posters,

I would like to thank all of you for your replies, comments, advice, and help.

Marky_Mark896 , thank you for searching/researching the various remotes. I think the one made by Sony will do just fine, and the price is definitely an added bonus. I would also like to thank you for your kind sentiments.

Avdude, I would especially like to thank you for your kind sentiments as well, and while some may not believe it, or much less even understand it, God has blessed my mom and I with her illness. You see what “society” does not realize is the elderly, people who are inflicted with a fatal illnesses/wound/handicap, and babies (including children) provide us with the opportunity to allow God to make saints at of us. We learn a lot from these people, such as compassion, patience, love, humility, and above all charity. These are all virtues that will help us to know, see, and hopefully obey God’s Word, Jesus. I could go deeper into the theology of this, but I am willing to bet this is not a theological forum.

I must say this is a very good web site. By chance, does anyone know of an equivalent site for video surveillance cameras? I am particularly looking for one that can be connected to a PC, so I can monitor my mom across the Internet while I am at work (possible record to hard drive as well)?

Once again, I would like to thank all of you for your help and kind words. May you all come to know the Blessings of God.

Ralph

This is a good site for any A/V questions. We have experts on just about any technical issue here. I am not familiar with Video surveillance cameras, but there are plenty here that are. I'm sure they'll help you soon.

Mark

I am more familiar with the professional stuff, but I am sure any computer store will have some sort of cameras.