I'm trying to help my 93-year-old mother use her television remotely because dementia sometimes makes even familiar tasks confusing. I'd like to control the TV over the internet when needed, preferably without paying for a subscription service. I've heard that products such as Jubilee can do this, and that Samsung SmartThings might offer similar control, but I haven't found a clear confirmation. Her current TV is old and starting to fail, so I'm open to replacing it if necessary. Ideally, I'm looking for a reliable setup that requires little or no change to her routine.
3 Answers
One possible setup is a Chromecast or Google TV connected to her television. An Android device on her home Wi-Fi can use Google Home to control the Chromecast remotely. The main challenge is making sure the setup is simple enough for her and that the TV reliably switches to the correct input.
For this kind of situation, minimizing change may matter more than getting the newest or cheapest device. A familiar remote with large, clearly labeled buttons and a TV that automatically starts on the right input could be more practical than a complicated smart-TV setup.
If you choose a Google TV device, you may also be able to use TeamViewer QuickSupport for remote assistance. It’s worth checking compatibility with the exact TV or streaming device before buying, since remote-control capabilities can vary.
I’ll look into that option. Thanks for the suggestion.
That’s my concern too. At 93, even small changes can be difficult, especially when familiar routines suddenly become confusing. I’ll need something as close to her current setup as possible.