Give me an idea for a severely disabled persons gift?

[selfidentifyinggiraffe]

My family member is severely disabled. They have zero independence. Cannot decide they want to watch something on tv etc unless their carer (also family member who is quite controlling and often decides they should watch something else or even not at all as they have other things they want to do)

I want to buy them a gift this year that will allow them to have some more independence over basic things that I take for granted - like what I watch or listen to. They are an adult...

I'm not tech savvy at all... we don't have most of the latest gadgets but I think lots of things are becoming voice activated.

Please suggest something that does this? E.g. They can say "watch xxxx" and it might go on for them

I'm sure it exists!

What's your budget? Can you afford an Echo Show? It might be what you're looking for.

Amazon Echo (Alexa) or an Amazon Fire Stick (which also has an Alexa built in)?

Google Home Hubs do similar.

I have a small budget but other family would chip in if we found something that could really do this I'm sure...

I think you're thinking of Alexa, which will play music, tune in to the news and answer any question. You can buy this from Amazon and it's easy to use.

There are voice activated televisions, but they cost several hundred pounds.

The problem lies in the carer's attitude, obviously. Would that be different if there was voice activated television?

Thank you I will look those up!

If there's anything that would recognise his voice over his carers... that would be especially good! Or that could control more than others... like different devices as well as tv

I'm making carer sound awful, they aren't, just they're so frazzled things like turning tv over isn't their priority atm

I think the attitude may change if we solved this yes. They are exhausted and it's upsetting them they are getting verbally insulted by this member because they don't jump to do what they want when they want. It's a really hard situation for both. Taking some work away from her would probably help them both immensely to be kinder to each other

Is there another room where your disabled relative would be able to watch or listen to what they want with a voice-activated device?
So that the device doesn't create conflict with the carer. It sounds like voice-activated TV in their bedroom would be best, but if you can't afford that, some kind of voice-activated device that also plays radio (e.g. iPlayer Radio, and streaming services if they can afford a subscription to something like Spotify, or you could stretch to paying it for them)

I like the suggestions made but please tread with caution OP. Obviously, you know the carer better than we do. I’m hoping the new ability of your relative to override the carers decision will not result in some nasty comeback on disabled relative.

Perhaps once you buy the gift have a sit down discussion with the carer about how it would work to avoid any nasty surprises whilst you are not there.

You need to find out if the NHS in your area supply environmental controls and get your relative assessed for them. They will be able to use the TV, switch on lights. They can figure out a way to control anything your relative would like to operate. Do they have a community OT? That would be a good place to start. Also depending on their condition they may get specialist charity funding

Yes could be used in their bedroom. Though carer themselves isn't too fussed on tv and music etc as they're able to do other things when they want and would have more time if rows weren't happening over it

It's an awful situation for them both but they do love each other really and are determined he stays in the home

Possum and RSL Steeper are two companies that provide them. They are really expensive but NHS in Scotland funds them. Good luck

Amazon fire stick with Alexa built in.

Honestly we seem to wait months before we get assessed for anything and then when we do it's always got some rediculous problem... like a wheelchair which was meant to allow carer to operate it as he stopped being able to (and is too heavy to push) we finally got it and they can't operate it (I forget why but it's always something really rediculous)

The life expectancy isn't very long anymore and I just don't want to wait till they're gone till something gets done

Amazon echo can do these things if you link it up to a smart TV or a TV fire stick that's Alexa enabled.

Alexa can put my lights on/off, control my heating (via Hive), play whatever music I want, answer questions about the weather, transport etc and control the TV, all by voice.

She answers to anyone though and it does take a bit of setting up but once you have it working it's amazing!

They are usually half price on black Friday.