Remotely control an Apple TV via the Internet

Hello, I wonder if there is a way of remotely control an Apple TV via the Internet?

Background: lightning struck my mothers house yesterday and killed her old TV and digital box. I have installed a new TV and an Apple TV instead of the old Allente digital box.

Now this is a completely new world for her, she is 93 years old and using the Apple TV remote control is really awkward for her.

Hopefully she will get the hang of it but until that, is there any way of me from my home across town to take over/control her Apple TV and for instance start a certain app and run a show….?

I have tried googling this but only found a really old (seven years) discussion on how to do this, one person wanted to be able to turn on certain programs for her dog(!) for instance :)

So, is there any way of remotely controlling an Apple TV, via VPN, some sort of home automation hardware, etc….

Thanks a million in advance!

/Rikard