I'm trying to help my elderly father with his Samsung TV. He lives in an assisted living facility not far from me, but we're on different WiFi networks. Since he moved a year ago, he's had a tough time turning on the TV and switching channels like he used to. Is there a way to control his TV remotely?
5 Answers
If your father has a newer Samsung TV, the SmartThings app might be your best bet. You'll need to set it up while you're in front of the TV to pair it with your phone, but once that's done, you can control the TV over the internet from anywhere!
You could also check the type of TV service in his assisted living place. If they're using cable, he might need to control it through the cable remote instead of the TV remote. Just keep in mind, traditional remotes usually work via infrared, so make sure nothing blocks the TV's receiver.
If you're open to using some tech, consider a Harmony remote. You can find used models like the Harmony One, and they’re pretty user-friendly for older folks. Plus, they can control multiple devices at once.
If the TV is a smart TV, an IR blaster like the SwitchBot Hub could work as long as there's WiFi where he lives. This requires that either you can see the TV or he can tell you what’s on it, though. If he has a cable box, an IR blaster would be especially handy!
Have you thought about getting him a voice control remote? It could make everything a lot easier for him!
This is exactly the answer I was looking for! I’ll try the SmartThings app.