{"id":510,"date":"2020-10-07T04:06:57","date_gmt":"2020-10-07T04:06:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seniorhomecarehq.com\/?p=510"},"modified":"2023-03-17T19:24:01","modified_gmt":"2023-03-17T19:24:01","slug":"how-to-setup-alexa-amazon-echo-devices-for-seniors-with-dementia-and-improve-home-safety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"\/?p=510","title":{"rendered":"7 Best Ways To Use Amazon Echo Devices For Seniors Aging In Place At Home"},"content":{"rendered":"<h2>Last Modified [last-modified]<\/h2>\n<h2>[su_highlight]7 Ways To Use Amazon Echo Devices For Seniors Aging In Place At Home[\/su_highlight]<\/h2>\n<p>First off, what is an Amazon Echo device?<\/p>\n<p>Amazon Echo devices for seniors is a fairly new technology that compiles all sorts of digital items into one location, which is an Echo speaker and surround system about the size of a hockey puck (this referring to the Echo Dot series) which seniors can use for all sorts of tasks.<\/p>\n<p>Several models have come out over the years, but the idea is the same.<\/p>\n<p>The user sets up their Echo device, and after hooking the system up to an Amazon account, Alexa is born. Alexa is the digital voice used by <strong>Echo devices<\/strong>, which is similar to \u201cSiri\u201d.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/zmhcPKKt7gw\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The user asks Alexa for digital requests and Alexa will respond by either providing the requested item or by asking for more clarification.<\/p>\n<p>An example includes, <em>user:<\/em> \u201cAlexa, play music from my library\u201d, <em>Alexa<\/em>: \u201cShuffling songs from your Amazon music library\u201d (first song begins).<\/p>\n<p>When we think about home safety in regards to aging adults, our minds automatically focus on falls within the home.<\/p>\n<p>However, home safety encompasses so many more areas that often go unnoticed until a senior is left at home alone and something unexpected occurs.<\/p>\n<p>Below in the picture you can see the different types of Amazon Echo Devices and how it has evolved over time.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1028 \" src=\"https:\/\/seniorhomecarehq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Different-Types-of-Echo-Devices-For-Seniors.png\" alt=\"Different Types of Amazon Echo Devices For Seniors\" width=\"623\" height=\"108\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Different-Types-of-Echo-Devices-For-Seniors.png 943w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Different-Types-of-Echo-Devices-For-Seniors-300x52.png 300w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Different-Types-of-Echo-Devices-For-Seniors-768x134.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 623px) 100vw, 623px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">[su_highlight]Here are 7 Ways To Use Amazon Echo Devices For Seniors Living At Home Alone[\/su_highlight]<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/seniorhomecarehq.com\/web-stories\/7-ways-to-use-amazon-echo-devices-for-seniors-at-home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1017 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/seniorhomecarehq.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Amazon-Echo-Devices-For-Seniors.jpeg\" alt=\"Amazon Echo Devices For Seniors\" width=\"900\" height=\"1946\" srcset=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Amazon-Echo-Devices-For-Seniors.jpeg 900w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Amazon-Echo-Devices-For-Seniors-139x300.jpeg 139w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Amazon-Echo-Devices-For-Seniors-474x1024.jpeg 474w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Amazon-Echo-Devices-For-Seniors-768x1661.jpeg 768w, \/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Amazon-Echo-Devices-For-Seniors-710x1536.jpeg 710w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 900px) 100vw, 900px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3>[su_service title=&#8221;Detecting Falls:\u00a0&#8221; icon=&#8221;icon: arrow-right&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#19f627&#8243;][\/su_service]<\/h3>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/seniorhomecarehq.com\/fall-prevention-elderly-prevent-seniors-falls-home\/\">Seniors falling in the home<\/a><\/strong> is very serious business because it can result in injury, malnutrition (if left stranded on the floor for several hours), and death.<\/p>\n<p>Some seniors are accustomed to using alert systems to call for help, but did you know that Amazon echo devices can do the same?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If a fall does occur, Amazon Echo devices can detect falls, call loved ones, and call 911 with the proper set-up.<\/p>\n<p>Through the Alexa app, there is a feature called \u201cDrop-in\u201d which seems creepy at first but very handy in the event of an accident.<\/p>\n<p>A loved one can ask Alexa to call another Amazon Echo device in a senior\u2019s home without requiring the senior to pick it up or accept the call.<\/p>\n<p>That way, loved ones can check in on someone who hasn\u2019t contacted them in a while or is unable to answer back due to an injurious fall.<\/p>\n<p>Users can also set up what is called an Amazon Echo Connect, which is a specific system that calls 911.<\/p>\n<p>The majority of Echo devices do NOT call 911 directly. These models fell out of popularity, but are useful for seniors who need quick access to emergency services.<\/p>\n<p>Other apps that users can download include \u201cAsk My Buddy\u201d and \u201cMy SOS Family\u201d which stores contact information for people seniors would like to reach out to if they need help.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3>[su_service title=&#8221;Medication Management and Mishaps:&#8221; icon=&#8221;icon: arrow-right&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#19f627&#8243;][\/su_service]<\/h3>\n<p>Two years ago, Amazon paired up with a company called <a href=\"https:\/\/www.omnicell.com\/\">Omnicell<\/a> and created an app that would allow seniors to have medication reminders and request prescription refills. Users download an app called Giant Eagle Pharmacy skill.<\/p>\n<p>Alexa uses voice recognition and passcodes to protect pharmacy information so that only the user can access the refill requests and medication schedule.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3>[su_service title=&#8221;Home Security:&#8221; icon=&#8221;icon: arrow-right&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#19f627&#8243;][\/su_service]<\/h3>\n<p>Through Alexa, users can tap into an app called \u201cGuard\u201d which detects trouble by listening to certain sounds that you enable in the app settings.<\/p>\n<p>Examples include listening to the sound of broken glass as well as other turbulent noises. Alerts are sent directly to the phone that\u2019s hooked up to Alexa so that users can immediately contact emergency services if needed.<\/p>\n<p>There are also features that readily attach to an Alexa-compatible security system, including setting off sirens and other blaring sounds to scare off intruders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3>[su_service title=&#8221;Temperature Settings:&#8221; icon=&#8221;icon: arrow-right&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#19f627&#8243;][\/su_service]<\/h3>\n<p>This is helpful for seniors who aren\u2019t as mobile as they used to be and can\u2019t access their thermostat regularly.Amazon Echo devices can be hooked up to Alexa compatible thermostat systems, so that all users have to do is ask Alexa to adjust their thermostat settings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3>[su_service title=&#8221;Fire Emergencies:&#8221; icon=&#8221;icon: arrow-right&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#19f627&#8243;][\/su_service]<\/h3>\n<p>Using the \u201cGuard\u201d app that was previously mentioned, seniors can set up their Echo device to detect sounds that could indicate a fire.<\/p>\n<p>For example, users can enable the app to listen to the sound of a smoke detector. Alexa will then alert the user by sending a message to their phone (which needs to be set up with the Echo device already).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3>[su_service title=&#8221;Basic CPR:&#8221; icon=&#8221;icon: arrow-right&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#19f627&#8243;][\/su_service]<\/h3>\n<p>In the event that a senior has fallen or has a medical episode that results in a situation where they are not breathing, caregivers and family members can actually <a href=\"https:\/\/www.housebeautiful.com\/about\/a30519222\/amazon-alexa-teach-emergency-cpr\/\"><strong>ask Alexa for instructions for<\/strong> CPR<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Alexa will also provide a pulse noise in order to help the person space out chest compressions correctly.<\/p>\n<p>This feature is helpful for users who are not well-versed in CPR or who have previous training but are a little rusty.<\/p>\n<p>It is essential to note that this should not be considered a complete replacement for professional emergency service workers, but it\u2019s better than doing nothing while waiting for paramedics to arrive.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<h3>[su_service title=&#8221;Natural Disaster Warning:&#8221; icon=&#8221;icon: arrow-right&#8221; icon_color=&#8221;#19f627&#8243;][\/su_service]<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/AccuWeather\/dp\/B07SGB6TJ2\">AccuWeather<\/a> skill can send users notifications about incoming severe weather. However, the user needs to go into settings and allow Alexa to send notifications.<\/p>\n<p>Warnings of inclement weather will be voiced by Alexa and the device will send off a pulsating yellow light.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Amazon Echo devices for seniors have some use when it comes to home safety. It\u2019s important to mention that the majority of these features that were discussed will only work if the user is within close enough range for the Echo device to pick up his\/her voice.<\/p>\n<p>Seniors should keep their mobile device with them at all times, especially if they are accustomed to falls or medical episodes, since it\u2019s not a perfect world and emergencies won\u2019t always occur within feet of an Echo device.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/0nZ9vK1uaj8\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>It should be noted that Amazon Echo devices for seniors are not designed to replace real people. Life is still very unpredictable, and <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/seniorhomecarehq.com\/the-best-top-9-gadgets-for-caregivers-taking-care-of-seniors\/\">digital devices and gadgets for seniors<\/a> <\/strong>can only perform so much when it comes to assisting with human needs.<\/p>\n<p>Home safety can be enhanced with the use of Amazon Echo devices. However, if a senior requires personal assistance in order to safely live at home, then caregivers\/family members still need to have a consistent presence in their life.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last Modified [last-modified] [su_highlight]7 Ways To Use Amazon Echo Devices For Seniors Aging In Place At Home[\/su_highlight] First off, what is an Amazon Echo device? Amazon Echo devices for seniors is a fairly new technology that compiles all sorts of digital items into one location, which is an Echo speaker and surround system about the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":787,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[274],"tags":[287,289,292,294,291,290,295,293,288],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/510"}],"collection":[{"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=510"}],"version-history":[{"count":15,"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/510\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5657,"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/510\/revisions\/5657"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/787"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=510"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=510"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=510"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}