Table of Contents
This week we are moving away from the seasonal and colder topics. This is the last look at technology as an assistive device to help our loved ones age in place. You may recall this began before the Christmas season with Smart Homes for Smart Aging which can be found here. Today we are taking a look at voice activated assistants. This may feel like big brother in the house, but the pros often outweigh the con's when it comes to safety and convenience of our elderly loved ones who live alone.
Voice-activated assistants are becoming really useful, especially for seniors living by themselves. Devices like Amazon Echo and Google Home are easy to use. Seniors just need to talk to them.
They can do lots of helpful things. For example, they can play music, describe the weather, or even lock the front door. What's great about these devices is that seniors don't have to use their vision or hands to operate them. They just need to use their voice.
Voice-activated devices are really handy for seniors in their daily life, especially when it comes to managing things around the house and staying in touch with people. With just a simple voice command, seniors can control lots of things in their home.
They can turn lights on or off without having to get up and flick a switch. They can also change how warm or cool their house is, or even lock their doors, all by just speaking out loud. This can be helpful, especially if mobility is difficult for them.
Besides controlling the home, these devices make it easier to talk to family and friends.
Seniors don't have to type out phone numbers or messages. They can just tell the device who they want to call or what message to send.
This makes staying connected with loved ones much easier for them. They don't have to struggle with small buttons on a phone or worry about typing errors. By using their voice to operate phones and send messages, they can keep up with what's going on in their family and friends' lives.
This technology is not only helpful but also makes seniors feel more confident and self-reliant.
They can manage their day-to-day activities better and feel good about doing things on their own. Voice-activated assistants are a great way to help seniors keep their independence and enjoy their everyday life.
Voice-assisted devices can also help in managing their health and everyday needs. These devices can do cool things like remind seniors when it's time to take their medicine.
They can also tell them when they have a doctor’s appointment or when it’s a good time to do some exercise.
This makes it easier for seniors to keep up with their health routines. Besides reminders, seniors can use these devices to get information or do things like shopping. They can ask about the weather or what's happening in the news. They can even order groceries or other stuff they need right from their home.
Making these devices easy for seniors to use is important.
Sometimes, the devices can be set up to work better for seniors who might not hear very well or have trouble speaking clearly.
The way you talk to these devices can be made simpler, so they're easier for seniors to use. Teaching seniors how to use these devices is a big help. It's like showing them a new tool that can make their life easier.
Practicing with them and being there to answer any questions is really important. This helps them feel more comfortable with the technology. By using voice commands, seniors can handle a lot of their daily tasks and health care stuff in a simple and fun way. These devices are like helpful friends who are always there to assist them.
Voice-activated assistants can make a big difference in the lives of seniors. They can help with daily tasks, keep them connected, and even help with health management.
By setting up these devices to be senior-friendly and providing the right support, we can make sure our loved ones stay independent and happy in their own homes. As technology keeps improving, it is unknown how helpful these devices can be in the future.
That's all for today.
Take care, keep mom safe at home and have a great day!
Winn
I am a Doctor of Physical Therapy and have been working with the 70+ age group for over a decade. I will share my knowledge and experience to give you ideas to care for your aging parents. Read more >>