Amazon Alexa just may be the perfect digital device for your loved one. Seniors can talk to Alexa just as they would a normal person and ask it for a wide range of services. As a holistic resource, Alexa can become an integral part of your senior’s daily routine.

However, setting up Alexa for your loved one can take time. It’s not always clear how to integrate accounts and set up apps for Alexa. Let’s go over key aspects of personalizing Amazon Alexa for seniors so your loved one can make the most of it.

Challenges of personalizing Amazon Alexa for seniors

Given the depth of services Alexa provides, set-up can be fairly involved. It’s important to guide your loved one through this process. Especially at the start, be sure you’re available to help them learn Alexa skills and answer any questions.

Start by setting up their Amazon account. This way, Alexa can easily integrate with all Amazon services down the road. You only need an email to get started.

You might also consider printing off a list of Alexa commands. While it may be obvious to you how to ask Alexa certain things, seniors may not feel comfortable with voice-activated technology at first. Create a “cheat sheet” so they feel comfortable asking about the weather, playing music and even calling you. Later on, they’ll likely not need this sheet.

You should also pay special attention to the volume control so that your loved one can communicate with and understand Alexa in the long run.

Essential set-up for personalizing Amazon Alexa for seniors

First things first: you’ll want to set up Alexa with essential services. You can preconfigure many of these items, so that your senior doesn’t need to worry about set-up.

• Set up phone contacts so your loved one can call you via Alexa.
• Save their address for ordering Uber rides or getting food delivery.
• Create medication reminders that your loved one might not remember.
• If your loved one has smart house apps, you can integrate them into Alexa, including lights, thermostat, TV, security cameras and house locks.
• My Life Story feature for seniors with dementia allows you to save “memories” that your loved one can play back.

Entertainment set-up for personalizing Amazon Alexa for seniors

Next, it’s time to set up the fun stuff! Most entertainment set-up can be preconfigured as favorites in Alexa. Basically, just ask Alexa via voice to “link” your accounts and services for a seamless experience.

• Integrate your loved one’s favorite entertainment apps, including music, radio, audio books, sport matches and trivia shows.
• Set favorites for weather, traffic and news.
• Set favorites for other areas of interests, such as bible passages, exercise programs and shopping apps.

Alexa is an excellent way to boost your caregiving abilities from a distance. With it, seniors feel secure, are entertained, and they get answers to any questions. It’s also a friendly tool for those with dementia or immobility. With voice-activated commands, seniors don’t have to strain arthritis joints or their vision either.

Personalizing Amazon Alexa for seniors will ensure that your loved one has everything right at his or her fingertips. Remember, when in doubt, simply check out Amazon’s Alexa Guide for in-depth steps.

Caregiving can be challenging. My Caring Plan has a list of resources to help guide you through the questions you may have. Resources include financial, legal and health information.

Sources:

1. Amazon Echo and Alexa for the Elderly, Tech Enhanced Life, https://www.techenhancedlife.com
2. Amazon Echo for Dementia, Daily Caring, https://dailycaring.com/
3. Alexa Guide for Seniors, Vivint, https://www.vivint.com/
4. Amazon Alexa for Seniors, Super Carers, https://supercarers.com/

Staying in touch with family and friends has always been important, but it is even more so as you get older. Chatting with your kids, seeing pictures of your grandchildren and catching up with old friends online helps fend off loneliness and it lifts your spirits. Talking to people used to be limited to phone calls and, for family members who moved far away, occasional trips to visit.

Fortunately, new technology has changed all that, and we want to help you enjoy all the advantages it offers. Here are ways technology helps seniors stay connected to family and friends.

Choose Your Device

No matter where you live, having a computer to help you with everyday tasks makes accomplishing things so much easier. From paying your bills, to reading the news, to shopping at your favorite stores, you can do almost everything online from your computer.

For seniors who like to use a laptop, the choices are nearly endless. Options include large and bright displays to help those with diminished vision, lightweight and easy-to-carry systems, and machines designed for convenient internet browsing.

If you prefer to use a desktop, Dummies explains that you can customize the display of your monitor to as large as you need. Additionally, you can go for a dual monitor setup, add a bigger keyboard and utilize a comfortable, ergonomic mouse. Once you get the system set up, connect your email and social media accounts to check in with everyone, stream movies or exercise videos and host a group meeting on Zoom.

As Snug points out, tablets give you mobility and computing power in a handheld device. You can take and share photos right from the tablet, zoom into the screen with the pinch of your fingers for easier reading and call and text family from downloaded apps.

Whatever option seems right, there are many deals to help stretch your dollars, from top-notch desktop options to tablets and laptops for when you’re on the go. If you opt for a tablet or laptop, be sure to add a protective case. You can find inexpensive styles that shield the device from damage and scratches and keep things such as dust, lint and pet hair from getting into the charging ports.

Phones Aren’t Just for Calls

Chances are good that you already have a pocket-friendly computer: a smartphone. Mobile phones have come a long way, and the newest smartphones have technology that can help keep you connected to everyone. Smartphones are easy to use, respond to touch and voice commands and may even recognize your face.

You can get great deals on popular models for some of the biggest carriers through major retailers, and options are available for either prepaid service or monthly plans. There are also phones designed just for seniors, like the Jitterbug.

Don’t forget to pick up accessories such as PopSockets to help you easily hold the phone when your senior scrolls. Traditional voice calls can be placed on speakerphone if you want to walk around while talking. To see the person on the other end of the line, turn it into a video call.

Senior-friendly apps are available for download in the Google Play Store or in the App Store on Apple devices. Many can be downloaded for free, while some are a one-time purchase price and others are a monthly subscription. Download Skype or WhatsApp for free video calls and chats – as a bonus, both are available in web versions so you can use them on your computer too.

Movie buffs can install Netflix Party to watch movie and TV content with friends and family from afar. It comes with a chat feature in the app so no worries about talking during the movie! If games are more your style, get Words With Friends or Wheel of Fortune so you can challenge anyone in the world!

With all the technology available today, you don’t have to feel disconnected from loved ones. Keeping in contact has never been easier thanks to computers, smartphones and apps.

Turn to FirstLight Homecare for more information, tips and advice that will help you make the most of your golden years!

This post was authored by Mary Shannon of seniorsmeet.org. 

Photo credit: Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

If you haven’t had a chance to explore our new website yet, we encourage you to take some time to browse the information on the site.

1. Satisfaction Surveys: For the caregivers throughout our organization, the ability to work with our clients and families each day offers rewarding experiences that drive our “Culture of Care.” If you have not yet had the opportunity to read stories that our clients and their families have been kind enough to share about how we have helped their loved ones, check them out at FirstLight Home Care experiences.
2. Locations: As we continue to grow nationally, our caregivers and team members at FirstLight Home Care grow with us. The network of FirstLight Home Care locations grows nearly every day and we bring our “Culture of Care” to each location that we serve. If you have a family member or loved one who is in need of assistance, you can easily find the closest location to you on our new website.
3. Care Library: As a component of our new website, we have enhanced the resources available for those who need home care. FirstLight Home Care is not only for seniors, but anyone 18 years of age or older who can benefit from assistance. From busy Moms to those requiring post-surgical support, chronic condition care or even just an extra hand around the house, the caregivers at FirstLight Home Care are available to assist. Our new website features an enhanced Care Library section that features insightful and informative news, downloadable articles and helpful website links about home care. In addition to these resources, you can also find our “Just Ask FirstLight” service where you can receive assistance in navigating the issues of caregiving.
4. Our Calling: For everyone at FirstLight Home Care, we are more than just one thing. We are grocery shoppers, problem solvers, bathing helpers, organizers, hope, tour guides, listeners, huggers, personal chefs, activity planners, conversationalists, hair stylists, freedom, errand runners, laundry folders, smile makers, confidants, good friends…and most of all, we are { caregivers }.

The entire team at FirstLight Home Care is extremely proud of our new website and we encourage everyone to explore the informative offerings that we have available. If you have any questions about the new website or what FirstLight Home Care can do to assist your family or loved ones that may benefit from home care, please feel free to contact us today.

Sounding the Alarm
One of the most basic but important features any senior home security system should have is an alarm. Alarms, when functioning, will go off when a door, window, or even a gate is opened or disturbed. Alarms both alert the homeowner to a security breach and can also scare off the potential intruder. Some alarms will even automatically alert local law enforcement when the alarm has been activated, allowing homeowners to get help if needed and increasing the chances of catching a fleeing intruder.

The Right Timing
Many modern security systems also allow the homeowner to set up lights and appliances, like the television, to go off and on according to a timer. While it might not seem like lights that flicker on at a certain time or a television that suddenly starts blaring wouldn’t be very effective at keeping intruders at bay, this can actually be a huge help. When homeowners are going to be away for an extended period of time, timer-operated devices give the appearance that someone is at home and alert, thereby reducing the chance of vandalism or burglary.

A Constant Connection
Even older security systems are usually able to contact the local authorities in the event of a security breach. Unfortunately, older systems tend to do so through landline telephone connections, and many homeowners no longer have landline telephones. Furthermore, intruders can easily cut a landline if they have even basic knowledge of phone lines. For this reason, the best and most modern security systems utilize cellular connections, accessible through simple phone apps, to ensure that help can always be sought when needed. Wearable devices, like those sold by ADT, are also able to contact an operator in the event of an emergency. The device is worn as a pendant or on the wrist, and can also detect if the wearer has fallen. The Philips Lifeline offers a similar service, in the form of a pendant as well. These systems give the senior at home the option of being in constant contact with a helpline, and give worried family members peace of mind knowing their loved one’s home security needs are taken care of.

Safety All Around
Many modern security systems can do double (or even triple!) duty by acting as security systems, smoke detectors and/or carbon monoxide detectors- one example is Google’s famous Nest. While homeowners can buy each of these items separately, it’s generally much more convenient to have all security features operated and maintained from the same device. Seniors with certain conditions also face additional risks when choosing to live at home alone. Alzheimer’s patients may get lost and confused when returning home. To prevent this from happening, GPS systems in smartphones are now being used to locate lost family members. Medication-dispensing devices are convenient for elderly folks who have trouble remembering their proper dosages or when to take certain pills. A machine contains the medication, sorted into cups, that should be taken each day. An alarm sounds when the medicine should be administered by the patient or their caregiver.  If the button on the machine is not pushed after ninety minutes of reminder alarms, then a message text is sent to a designated recipient.

Going Green and Staying Safe
Automated home systems make it possible to control the lights, temperature, and security of an entire home all from one panel. They reduce the need to walk around turning lights on and off, checking locks, and adjusting the thermostat, by consolidating and automating much of the home care process. With many of these systems, users can set timers to ensure that all the doors lock at bedtime, the temperature is adjusted to a preferred sleeping temperature, the lights are off and everything is secure. For senior citizens, and their caretakers, these services can be a blessing.

New home automation technologies, some of them new and some still ahead on the horizon, strive to provide elderly users with the dignity and independence they deserve. Advances in automated technology are occurring rapidly- relieving many of the burdens associated with homeownership for a new generation.

Beth Kelly is a freelance writer and blogger. She covers every topic under the sun, from DIY home repairs to the latest monster movies. Originally from Michigan, Beth now lives and works in Chicago, IL. Follow her on Twitter at @bkelly_88

• Facebook: Seniors are learning to navigate the ever-changing world of Facebook in order to keep up with their children and grandchildren’s lives, as well as find old friends and classmates. For the elderly, Facebook is like a constant family and high school reunion every time they log on.
• Pinterest: This online organizational board is mostly used by women in the U.S., ages ranging from eighteen to eighty. It’s another platform that allows you to swap creative ideas with friends and family. Younger men are slowly catching on to it, however, older men seem to be staying away from this platform.
• Skype: What’s possibly better than a phone call to your grandchildren or logging on to Facebook to see their updates? Answer: Skype. Video chatting with friends and family in real-time beats a phone call any day, and the senior population seems to know how to operate such tools rather well.

At FirstLight Home Care, we also offer “Telikin,” to our clients, which is a 20-inch computer screen, (PC), that displays all large font for seniors. Complete with large icons for games, software icons and much more. It’s purposefully designed to help the tech savvy seniors operate their computers much easier.

Social media has spread to the senior population-the number one reason; family. Nowadays, families aren’t living as close to one another; they’re states or even countries a part. Social media makes connecting with family from a distance easier and much manageable. Another reason seniors enjoy social media is for reconnecting. Their best friend from school that they haven’t seen in over 50 years, their old family friends who moved away, or even friends who are overseas, and of course, friends that seniors meet within organizations from senior centers-they’re able to reconnect online, and establish a healthy social life through social media.  It’s all about reconnecting and growing friendships for seniors.

Of course, we like to stay connected with our family too. You can find us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter and YouTube.

We hope you enjoy checking out our boards and pins and we’d love for you to get involved
too. If you don’t already have a Pinterest account, below is a quick How-To on setting up your page and adding the Pin It button to your web browser’s bookmarks toolbar so you can easily share pins from us and your other favorite online outlets.

You’ll probably notice that we’ll be enhancing our blog posts with more images to make them pinterest-friendly. Once you have Pinterest set up, feel free to Pin any of our blogs and articles!

Setting Up Your Pinterest Profile

1. Visit Pinterest.com and click the “Join Pinterest” button on the top of the page
2. Pinterest will give you the option to sign up through your Facebook or Twitter account if you have one, or you can sign up using your email address
3. If you register with your email, Pinterest will prompt you to select a username and password, and to share your name and gender. You’ll also be given the option to upload a profile photo.
4. If you register through your existing Facebook or Twitter account, Pinterest will use the information you’ve already provided and also the same profile image (You can change it once you’re registered)
5. Now that you’re set up, you can select users to follow (like us!) and start pinning

Add the Pin It Button

On some websites and blogs, you’ll see the Pin It button is already on the site so you can easily pin directly from it. On the FirstLight website and blog, you’re able to Pin directly from the site OR you can install the Pin It button on your browser and pin that way. To install the Pin It Button for quick and easy pinning from any site:

1. Log into your account
2. Click on the “About” drop down menu in the upper right hand corner and select “Pin It Button”
3. Follow the instructions specific to your web browser

If you have questions or would like to learn more about using Pinterest, please visit Pinterest.com/about.

Happy Pinning!

Yes, seniors may not spend every waking moment on Facebook like their younger counterparts, but integrating technology into their lives can be very beneficial.   Now, more than ever, technology is being made available to aging adults to help them live better, (and believe it or not) more simple lives. Below is a list of some of the benefits that incorporating technology can have in the lives of seniors.

Exercise
Exercise is vital to the health of aging of seniors.  The problem is that poor weather, lack of
time, and confusion in direction makes getting proper exercise very difficult for most seniors.  However, new technology has been released that not only makes exercising easier for aging adults, it also makes it more fun!  New video game systems like Wii Fit and XBOX Kinect are helping seniors stay active in the comfort of their own homes.  These video game systems have a variety of games that are controlled solely by the player’s body and allow for people of all fitness levels to get involved.  This means that you can have fun playing video games while getting the benefits of working out at the same time.

Social Networking
Social networking has become one of the most common tools for people to stay connected with friends and family around the world. Today, seniors are beginning to get more comfortable with social networking sites and video chatting services for these same reasons. Although the common belief is that social networking sites like Facebook are just for kids, the reality is that people of all ages are using the site, even seniors.  Each day, these sites are becoming more accessible to users of all ages making social networking a great way to stay in touch online. Plus, most of these sites and services are free!

Medication Management
Medication management has been made easy with the introduction of technology.  Forgetting to take medication is a common problem for seniors, and although tried and true methods like weekly pill containers are great, new technology has made medication management and health safety easier than ever. These technological aides often come in the form of smartphone apps, and include medication reminders, refill reminders, and medication descriptions.  These apps prevent seniors from mixing medications that might be harmful as well as help reduce the probability of forgetting to take medications.

Safety
Technology can play a vital role in the safety of the elderly, especially when they live alone at home. Falls are very common for aging adults, and when falls occur they often cannot reach a phone to call for help. Now, the simple click of a button can bring medical assistance right to their home faster than ever before. Better yet, homes can also be equipped with devices that detect unhealthy levels of smoke, gas, or other harmful chemicals and alert authorities if needed.  The introduction of technology into the homes of aging adults can help reduce the probability of serious injury or death.

NPR
A great app for news lovers, NPR lets you listen to live broadcasts and read current news.
Interested in accessing older articles? NPR’s app lets you read older articles for free.

Skype
By far one of the most important apps for aging adults, Skype helps people stay connected no matter how far the distance. In seconds, seniors can speak in real time, face-to-face, with their loved ones.  The best part is its free!

Find My Phone
Although you need another Apple iOS computer for this app to work, Find My Phone is one of the best apps you can own.  This app will not only geo-locate your lost phone, it will also let you put a lock on it remotely so people who find your phone can’t access private information.

MedWatcher
A must have for aging adults, MedWatcher helps people keep track of their prescriptions and gives easy to read descriptions of their medications.  The app also comes with
safety alerts to help keep seniors safe and make sure they are using their medical prescription and devices properly.

Words with Friends
Words With friends is a great word-based game that looks a lot like scrabble.  People can play with their friends and family, or with a complete stranger, and can play at their own pace.  Not only does this game help aging adults stay in touch with their friends and family, but it also acts as a great brain trainer that can keep them mentally sharp.

Facebook Mobile
This app requires an account with Facebook, but it is a great way for seniors to stay in touch with family and friends across the country.  Facebook Mobile’s interface makes it easy to post, interact, and view photos without having to be at their computer.

Magnifier and Flashlight
This app magnifies and lights up small text on-the-go that may be otherwise hard to read for seniors.  This app is great for seniors who are out of their home and need to read tiny print (like menus at restaurants.)

The Weather Channel
Monitoring the weather is a hobby among many senior citizens, and with The Weather Channel app, checking the weather in their home city and the cities of their loved ones is easier than ever.

New senior apps appear almost daily … we’ll help you stay on top of technology!

ICE (In Case of Emergency). The ICE iPhone application provides emergency personnel or EMT’s vital information that might save your life.  This information includes what  medicine you are taking and the dosages, allergies or reactions and any emergency contacts. This app is free.

MedReminderPro. This app from Wooden Apps Production is a good basic pill-scheduling program with few frills, and only costs $2.99 in the App Store. It’s compatible
with the iPad and iPod touch as well as the iPhone.

Over 40 Magnifier. Lose something in your car? This handy app turns your iPhone into a magnifying glass and a flashlight, to help you make out small print or see better in low light.

Yangutu. Ready for some romance? Yangutu has a huge audience of singles over 40.

FreeBooks.If you love to read, here’s a way to get a lot of your reading materials for free.

Ancestry.com. As we get older, many of us develop an intensified interest in our roots. The ancestry.com app for iPhone, Android, and iPad allows you to grow and investigate your family tree.

aSleep. Have trouble sleeping? Need white noise? The aSleep app for iPhone and iPad, which only costs $0.99, is a sleep aid featuring 65 soothing sounds to help you get a good
night’s rest. You can shake your device to shuffle the soundtrack. There’s also an alarm clock integrated into the app.

Gluten Free. Find Me Gluten Free helps you find gluten-free friendly restaurants and other businesses. View ratings and reviews, gluten-free menus, get directions, and call restaurants right from the app. Also, easily view gluten-free menus and allergen lists of chains and fast food restaurants. Find gluten-free pizza, bakeries, fast food, local businesses, and more!

Heart rate monitor by Azumio. That’s right: your phone can check your heart rate for you! With this free Android and iPhone app, downloaded by over 10 million users, you simply place your fingertip over the lens of the phone’s camera and in less than ten seconds, it tells you your heart rate.

LoseIt. Ready to get serious about weight loss? Lose It! can help you make your
goal a reality. Chosen by millions, Lose It! provides a seamless, supportive weight loss program. Download Lose It! today for a personalized and connected experience. You’ve seen Lose It! on the Today Show, CNN, Forbes.com, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and The New York Times.

WeatherChannel. Want to know the weather for today? Is it going to snow or rain or impede your plans for the day? Check out the weather so you are prepared.

So, I recently began to read up on the various tracking device options that are out in themarket. Similar to satellite navigation systems found in cars, smaller tracking devices allow its wearer’s location to be accurately pinpointed.  And, it turns out that there is quite a wide array of devices in regards to size, placement, tracking abilities etc.  Regarding placement, I was amazed to learn that GPS tracking devices can be found in items including watches, water-resistant bracelets and even shoes!

Therefore, they aren’t yet another “thing” that your loved one has to remember to put on/wear.  If it’s in an item of clothing or an accessory that they wear every day, it will be that much more effective.  I am not writing this to promote one company over another, so you won’t see specific GPS device tracking company names listed here.  In alignment with FirstLight Home Care’s Culture of Care Promise, I am simply sharing some hopefully informative and helpful information to adult children with wandering parents.

GPS tracking devices have a proven track record of saving lives.  When it comes to the elderly, they have been especially helpful to families of those suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s and other forms of memory-related problems.  If you have a parent or family member who shows a consistent pattern of forgetful behavior, or may struggle living an independent life, a personal monitoring GPS tracking device will make your life easier and less stressful.

If you need help with caregiving for a loved one, visit the FirstLight Home Care website at www.firstlighthomecare.com for the caregivers nearest you.

Google