Devices like smart speakers have arrived in our homes to help us or make certain daily tasks easier. From answering questions and setting timers to checking the weather or schedule, and much more. But of course, if you're reading this article, it's because you have some doubts about whether using these devices with elderly people is a good idea. Today we'll tell you about the benefits and how Alexa can help seniors.
Amazon Echo for the elderly, is it a good idea?
We're assuming you're already familiar with Alexa or Amazon Echo devices . But if you've only heard about them from friends or online, let us give you a quick rundown.
The first thing you should know is that Amazon Echo devices, like similar devices from other companies, are smart speakers that can interact with you through voice commands via their microphones. Sometimes, they even listen more than they should.
And, precisely, the intermediary in all of this is what we know as Alexa . A virtual assistant that integrates into these types of speakers and, by giving it the appropriate commands, can make many tasks easier and be very useful to us.
Is it complicated to use one of these Alexa speakers? Not at all, quite the opposite. This is probably the most common question someone might have if they're thinking of buying this type of device and aren't used to using them. Whether for personal use by those who aren't very tech-savvy, or for seniors, they're incredibly easy to use.
Once configured (a process that is also quite simple following the instructions that the device itself indicates when connecting it to the power), we only need to say the word "Alexa" for the assistant to activate through any of the Amazon Echo speakers. From here, you can simply ask him for whatever you need, and if he's programmed for it, he'll do it.
But, if you still have doubts about whether a product of this type can be useful for the elderly, below we will show you some of the best uses that they can give them.
What can Alexa do for the elderly?
Alexa's capabilities are almost endless. Even those of us who are used to interacting with Amazon's smart assistant on a daily basis can discover new features or ways to use it that we hadn't thought of before.
Now we want to let you know about some of those actions that we think will be very useful for our mothers, fathers, grandmothers or grandfathers. Some will be simpler and others somewhat more "complex" or dedicated to some who have been using this type of accessory for a while.
Create alarms, timers or reminders
One of the simplest yet most useful tasks we can perform with an Alexa-enabled smart speaker is to ask it to create these kinds of actions. We can set an alarm simply by saying, "Alexa, set an alarm for 12 noon." Or, for example, we can also ask it, "Alexa, remind me at 2 p.m. that I need to take my pill."
And who hasn't been cooking and needed a timer to know when a process is finished? To do this, it's as simple as saying, "Alexa, set a 30-minute timer."
After any of these requests, when the requested time has elapsed, Alexa will launch an alarm through the speaker that we can stop by simply saying "Alexa, stop" or "Alexa, cancel the alarm/timer".
A calculator for everyday
If we need to perform any simple calculations, we can ask Amazon's smart assistant to do it for us.
You just have to ask it in the following way: "Alexa, how much is 500 divided by 8" or "Alexa, how much is 24 plus 56 + 38". Our older relatives will appreciate having this functionality at hand more than you think.
Play music or the radio
Another great benefit of this type of device is that, of course, it can play music or different radio stations.
Speaking of music, our seniors can relive the songs of their youth simply by telling the assistant, "Alexa, play Manolo Escobar." However, they will need a music streaming service linked to the device. This can be easily resolved by linking the device to your Amazon Music account, which is free with Amazon Prime, for example.
On the other hand, if you want to put on the radio it will be just as simple. You just have to say “Alexa, play (station name)” and in a few moments it would start playing the content.
Information about the weather or simple questions
One of the most common questions people ask Alexa is about the weather . The assistant can provide information for the current day, the entire week, or a specific day of the week.
And the best thing is that we can ask him in several different ways and he will understand us in all of them. For example, we can say "Alexa, what's the weather like on the street", "Alexa, what's the weather like today", "Alexa, is it going to rain?" or, of course, "Alexa, what's the weather like this week." We don't need to say the location as it will detect it automatically.
Of course, if we are curious people, we can also ask Alexa things so that she gives us certain information. An example could be "Alexa, who was Christopher Columbus" or, also "Alexa, how much rice per person?".
Voice or video calls
For seniors who, for whatever reason, live alone, this feature could be incredibly useful. They simply need to say, "Alexa, call (person's name in your contacts)," and the assistant will perform the call between Echo devices.
Even if both devices have cameras, this call could be a video call . However, this feature may require some simple setup, but some users might need assistance the first time they use it.
Request a taxi, an Uber, etc.
It's common for older adults to need transportation to get around safely. So, if they don't have a family member nearby, what better way to request a taxi or ride-hailing service than to use Alexa? Simply say the magic words , "Alexa, ask [app] to request a ride to [address]." Within the brackets for "app," you can specify Uber, Cabify, or any other official taxi app compatible with Amazon's assistant.
Alexa usually has our address information, but if not, it will ask us to say it aloud. With just this information, it will activate the service, which we can configure with other parameters such as the type of vehicle we need, etc. Everything will depend on how well the application is integrated with the assistant. In any case, this skill is so convenient that the user can ask Alexa for directions to the vehicle that's coming to pick them up.
listen to audiobooks
Is there any better entertainment than reading? What if our elderly relatives are feeling a little tired and want to close their eyes while relaxing on the sofa? The solution is audiobooks, which Alexa can easily play for us to listen to aloud in the living room or bedroom, while we take a break from the daily grind. "Alexa, what's free on Audible?" or "Alexa, play [audiobook title] on Audible."
Light up late night walks to the bathroom
It's normal to get up at night to use the bathroom in an emergency, and for older people, this is even more true due to the dangers that can lurk in the dark. These dangers include furniture, walls, door corners, or any other object left in the hallway, for example. Alexa and Amazon's voice assistants (like the Echo devices) are perfect for centralizing home automation functions , including turning lights on and off.
So giving our elders a hand, we can configure lights with smart bulbs and create a night program so that they can activate it from the table next to the bed. Thus, by saying “Alexa activate [night light]”, we will guarantee that they will not have problems to go from one place to another safely (in brackets, the name we have given to the program to turn on the lights at night).
See offer on AmazonRecover old recipes to cook
If our grandparents have an Echo Show with a screen in the kitchen, preferably a 10- or 15-inch model, they can ask the assistant for the recipe for a new dish they'd like to try. Furthermore, we could ask the assistant to read it aloud, so they don't have to keep looking at the device, which will help them follow the steps just like those chefs who flood the internet with their recommendations: "Alexa, show me the recipe for ham croquettes."
Do the shopping without leaving home
As we age, our mobility can decline, so having a convenient solution that delivers groceries (or anything else we need) to our door is invaluable, and we can manage this through Alexa. It's no coincidence that Amazon itself offers a whole catalog of essential products in its store, including food, hygiene, and cleaning supplies, which need to be restocked every few days.
So having an Amazon assistant-compatible device on hand can be a good idea to help our elders fend for themselves.
Photo frame to recover old memories
Devices like the Echo Show are perfect for asking Alexa to retrieve an old photo album from 10 or 20 years ago, perhaps from a particularly memorable trip that's always worth revisiting. And if you use a model like the 15-inch one sold by Amazon, it's simply perfect. You just need to select the albums you want to display and project them onto the device's screen. It's that easy.
Buy tickets for shows
Being older doesn't mean being stuck at home all day doing nothing. Going to the movies, the theater, or performing live music are great options, but these days it's been difficult for many people unfamiliar with technology to access websites to buy tickets . With Alexa, this function could be automated and simplified, so that with just a few voice commands, our parents and grandparents could successfully complete a booking process to once again enjoy that band they loved so much 40 years ago.
Best Amazon Echo for Seniors
All these are some of the many functionalities that can be done through a smart speaker with Alexa integrated. But of course, which of these teams is best suited for each case?
Below, we have listed some of the most interesting Amazon Echo speakers you can buy.
The simplest
If you're looking for something simple and basic, the best option is an Amazon Echo Dot . It's a speaker that integrates Alexa and lets you do everything we've mentioned before, except for video calls.
If you want to know more about it, you can take a look at our video analysis that we did on YouTube.
See offer on AmazonIt's worth noting that, although we can ask Alexa for the time with our voice, there is an Echo Dot model with a clock built into its body.
See offer on AmazonWith screen + camera, to see the family
As we mentioned, one of the most striking features that can be done with one of these speakers is video conferencing. But, for this we need our team to have a camera.
There is a model with a small screen called the Amazon Echo Spot , but we believe it could be inconvenient for older people due to its small screen size and potential vision problems. Therefore, our recommendation starts with the 5-inch Echo Show . However, you should know that other models are available in 8, 10, and 15 inches.
See offer on Amazon See offer on Amazon See offer on Amazon See offer on AmazonIf you want to know a little more about the possibilities of this latest model, which is that it includes the largest panel, you can always take a look at our in-depth analysis on YouTube:
For the more advanced
Finally, for those older people who like technology, there is the Amazon Fire TV Cube.
It is a 2 in 1, with the functionalities of an Amazon Echo as a smart speaker and, in addition, it integrates the possibility of turning any screen into a smart TV as a Fire TV Stick would. To find out everything this device can offer us, we recommend that you take a look at our video analysis.
See offer on AmazonLinks to Amazon in this article are part of our agreement with your Associates Program and may earn us a small commission on their sale (without affecting the price you pay). Even so, the decision to publish and add them has been taken, as always, freely and under editorial criteria, without attending to requests from the brands involved.