WHAT CAN ALEXA DO FOR YOU?
The aim of Project Alexa is to make as many people as possible aware that something so simple and inexpensive as the voice-activated Amazon Alexa device could be so supportive in the home. For you and for anybody who is caring or being cared for.
The Alexa Echo Show is a multilingual voice activated device that could help keep you independent. It is made by Amazon and can be bought online (i.e. Amazon) or in a local electronics shop (i.e. Mediamarkt) in a price range of approximately €110 – 170 currently. It needs Wi-Fi to operate but otherwise is a standalone item. There are multiple layers of privacy protection, so you can restrict what it knows, sees or hears.
But what can it do? Here are some examples:
COMMUNICATION AND KEEPING IN TOUCH
Alexa offers free voice activated video and voice calls to any Alexa devices anywhere in the world where the Amazon Alexa is supported and sold. No more need to fiddle around with small buttons on smartphones, remember telephone numbers or have to hold phones with a small screen. Just say “Alexa, call my daughter”.
The Device also has a “Drop-in” function which allows carers/friends/family to video call in directly without their loved ones having to say “Alexa answer”, just in case they have had a fall and are dazed or unconscious.
A LIVE IN 24/7 CARER
The device can be simply programmed to give medication reminders, alarms, prompts to remember to have a cup of tea, put out the bins, make sure the cooker is turned off and the front door is locked, to have lunch, to drink, to call your friend or a family member, put doctors/hospital appointments in your calendar, to remind you of birthdays, anniversaries, special occasions. The reminders and prompts will be programmed for the specific times and days you want and repeats daily, weekly or just on set days.
The Alexa device has such good microphones that you could be 20 feet away, have fallen, nowhere near a phone or a pendant and call “Alexa please call my son/daughter/carer “and it makes the call.
A LIVE IN 24/7 FRIEND AND COMPANION
Alexa, play Classic FM, what is the weather like today, get me BBC Radio 4, get me BBC News, Sky News. Alexa, show me videos of Frank Sinatra singing, play songs by Abba, tell me a joke, what’s the weather like in Barcelona where my daughter lives, Alexa call my daughter in Barcelona, read me a story. Alexa, get me Netflix, YouTube etc.
Alexa is multicultural and multi-lingual, and can take voice instructions in 8 different languages including Spanish and several other European languages, and can translate from English into many languages e.g. Polish, Swedish, and Spanish – great where English may not be a first language. People and visitors can use it to create a friendly atmosphere. Alexa, how do you say “hello how are you, and are you feeling well today” in Spanish.
SUPPORT WITH ALEXA
The friend/carer/family member doesn’t need an Alexa device to communicate with the Alexa Show Unit but can use their smart phone using the Alexa App.
Whilst physical presence is the best support, where this cannot be done, then a 5 minute video call to check-in is a better substitute than a voice call, especially as the call can be answered by simply saying “Alexa answer”.
This unit, using even its simplest skills can improve the quality of life and independence of many older adults and can be used as a great additional support for families, carers and other social care support services.
AGE CONCERN PROJECT ALEXA
There is an Alexa Show Unit in the San Pedro Activity Centre that you could look at and play with before you buy.
The only reason Age Concern are recommending this, is because they think it could be useful as we all get a little older and help us to keep our independence and/or have an easier life. Age Concern are not on commission or an affiliate of Amazon and they cannot buy it for you, but they can help you set it up.
The Age Concern Marbella/San Pedro team can setup, and run through the system with you. For example if the person likes specific music or religious radio stations, these can be configured in advance. The team will also programme the unit with reminders and telephone numbers and offer support at no cost. This can be booked in advance on email centre@ageconcernmarbella.com
