OK - I am back to asking "the smart ones."
My father is 90 with dementia.
He has three televisions.  I need to buy three universal remote
controls that
are just alike – so that when he goes from one television to another,
it will e the same.
THESE REMOTE CONTROLS NEED TO BE EXTREMELY BASIC!!!! 
I want an off/on button
I want volume up and down
I want channel selection, up and down
Optional:  number pad to select channels
THAT IS IT! No Video/TV button, no action, no pause, no mute, no
menu, no program buttons. . . Nothing else, no button that can be
pushed that will take their picure/sound to la la land, to bewilder
and confuse the older person, making them unable to watch television
until someone appears to help them.

I would like to be able to program this universal remote to a specific
television model and then hit some hidden switch to lock it so that it
cannot be accidentally unprogrammed by the senior.

There are a gazillion old people in this world.  When they get
confused, they start punching buttons.  I handed my dad the remote
control on his most simple television, told him to turn it on and
select a channel he wanted to watch.  I answered the phone and when I
turned back, I saw on the screen the box to set the time.  He was
totally confused, had no idea how he got there and certainly no idea
how to get back to being able to find “Emeril.”

My other choice is to junk these televisions and try to buy a simple
set with a simple remote.  This is just impossible these days as even
the most basic of televions have remotes with extra function buttons
that can be pushed that derail the old person’s ability to watch their
program.

Can you help me find out if there is there such a basic Universal TV
remote or, failing that. . . . is there such a basic television with
remote that can be
purchased?  13" - 32"

Greetings Schmooz:

There are a few choices out there for your father and thank you for
the opportunity to answer this question.

Beginning with the Hytek models, the Elder E Store offers a simple,
big-buttoned (and backlit) universal remote for $42.99 (Hytek Tek
Partner).  You may view an image and the specs at
http://www.elderestore.com/Store/p1156.html

A close-up of the same remote for $45.00 may be viewed at
http://www.audiotubes.com/remouniv.htm about halfway down the page. 
Also, the Tek Partner at $39.95 [shows the size best in relation to
hands] is located at
http://www.wooska.com/hytek/httek.htm - another shot of the remote in
hand is at http://www.dynamic-living.com/remote.htm

The specs for the Hytek Tek Partner (the one above) and their Big
Button model (different, a bit more complicated, I think) may be
viewed at:

Tek Partner specs
http://www.hytekmfg.com/features_tekp.html

Big Button specs
http://www.hytekmfg.com/features_bigb.html

Big Button $24.95
http://www.wooska.com/hytek/htbig.htm

*********

The Accenda is a possibility although it looks a bit more complicated.
 However, it does advertise voice activation and that may be of
assistance to your father.  See
http://www.innotechsystems.com/accenda/features.htm

*********

The Visa Simplex is located at http://www.comital.co.nz/simplexe.htm
but it advertises only New Zealand and Australia compatibility.  Since
one of thoise could be your location, I'm including it for your
review.

*********

GE RM-94903 3 Device Universal Remote with Big Button Keys for $7.29
[this does not include a numeric keypad, only simple controls]
http://www.wildwestelectronics.net/rm-94903.html

Another GE big button with no numeric keypad is located at
http://www.wellspent.org/Product?p=388556

*********

The Zenith Klicker Jr. is a 1-device simple remote and may be viewed
at http://www.seniorshops.com/klicker.html  It costs $6.95.  This may
be the best choice for you father because it is so simple.

*********

Sony offers a 2-device simple remote (with keypad) available at
http://www.seniorshops.com/remotecontrol1.html

All the remotes offered by the Senior Shop may be viewed at
http://www.seniorshops.com/remotecontrols.html

*********

Should you require any clarification of the links or information I
have provided, please request it before closing and rating this
question and I will be happy to further assist you.  For simplicity, I
think the Klicker Jr. may be what your father needs.  With the
1-device, that means no accidental visits to VHS, DVD, etc.  I didn't
find a lock capability for a simple remote.

Best regards,
journalist-ga


SEARCH STRATEGY:

"universal remote" elderly
Hytek universal remote
GE big button universal remote
big button universal remote
Zenith Klicker Jr.

---

Request for Answer Clarification by schmooz-ga on 01 Oct 2003 13:40 PDT

I am sorry but I guess my request was not clear enough.  Every one of
your suggestions led to remotes where extra large size was the matter
of greatest importance. . . not the number of button choices (execept
for two).  Even though the remotes you pointed me towards were large
and lit. . . they still had many extra button choices over the basics
which would throughly confuse my father.

JUST THE BASICS ON THE REMOTE:
On/off, channel up/down, volume up/down and Optional number pad for
channel choice.  NOTHING ELSE

Of the two - one was a kiddie remote, which I had seen and the other
one you pointed me towards was unavailble for American television (I
live in Florida).  I am sorry if my request was confusing and that you
had to do all this work that did not point to what I needed.  Does
this better clarify?

---

Clarification of Answer by journalist-ga on 01 Oct 2003 15:26 PDT

You were clear, I simply sought to include all the options I found. 
The customer suggestion below for the Weemote at
http://www.avsmarts.com/cgi-bin/avs/WeemoteSr.html seems to be a
possible choice.

There are also two versions of the Weemote for children.  See
http://www.weemote.com/products.html#Anchor-TWO-49575  A picture of
the Weemote for children may be viewed at
http://www.cursefreetv850.com/weemote.htm  The wesite Cutting Edge is
offering 50% off on the Weemote at
http://www.cuttingedge.org/detail.cfm?ID=435

There is a Kidsafe TV Turtle on the market at
http://www.dynadirect.com/ac-tvturtle.html but it may not be the
design you are seeking.

I located a remote control module at
http://www.dragonflytoys.com/1-800-308-2208/navigation/navigation.php?Client=11111111116111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111110000043589111111111111111111110&Category=&PriceRange=&Manufacturer=&CodeSearch=&KeywordSearch=tv+remote&Code=L1614&SkipRecords=0&Filepath=store/productsearchdetail.php&Response=navigation/navigation.php
(sorry for long URL) but I could not figure out if it would work for
your father's needs.  It states there "Options include power, volume
up, volume down, channel up and channel down."

Best regards,
journalist-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by journalist-ga on 02 Oct 2003 15:50 PDT

Greetings again, Schmooz:

Well, I did try many search terms but it looks like my colleague,
Mvguy-ga, found exactly what you needed.  Nothing like personal
experience to do the trick.  :)  If you like, I will request my answer
be removed and you can repost the question to Mvguy-ga.  Please advise
as I want you to be pleased with your Google Answers experience.

Best regards,
journalist-ga

When my elderly father moved in, we bought him a remote control that
was intended for use by children. It is no longer on the market, but
there are other "kiddie" remotes that might be worth a look.

I think I may have found a remote that will work for you.

It is called the WeemoteSr.  It was designed by a company that
engineered the Weemote for very young children.  The website indicates
that the WeemoteSr is specifically designed for "users who suffer from
early-stage Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease or Macular
Degeneration."

Find the WeemoteSr here:

http://www.avsmarts.com/cgi-bin/avs/WeemoteSr.html

I hope this helps.

- ddelphi

Here's exactly what you're looking for:
http://www.ofausa.com/remote.php?type=URC%201030

I knew about this brand because I happen to have one.

MVGUY-ga  Thanx for the URL on the One/ForAll remote.  This looks like
just what I need!  Now, if I can figure out how to order it. . . . ! 
There are tons of seniors in various seasons of dementia.  Wouldn't
you think that there would be a lot of simple remotes to choose from?