The Benefits of Voice-Activated Assistants for Seniors Living at Home
If you have an elderly family member living alone, chances are you’re constantly looking for ways to make their lives easier. One of the best ways to do just that is to pass on to them some of your digital literacy and enable them to use technology in ways that serve them best.
You can start with something simple, like teaching them how to use WhatsApp or a Roomba, and once they get comfortable with them, they can move on to more advanced items. Voice-activated technology can be an amazing assistant to seniors on several levels – it can help them organize their lives better, stay connected with their loved ones, and maintain their independence more easily. Let’s take a look at some of the benefits that voice-activated assistants offer to the senior population.
Using Voice-Activated Technology to Stay in Touch with Family
One of the greatest hidden threats the elderly population faces is the feelings of isolation and loneliness, which can cause a quicker decline in mental, emotional, and even physical health. This is why they need frequent contact with their family and friends, be it through visits or video calls. Having a voice assistant can make this process much easier, especially if your parents or grandparents don’t feel like fiddling with technology.
All you need to do is connect their voice-activated assistant with their smartphone or some kind of video-calling platform, and your elderly family members will be able to call you with a simple voice command. This functionality is especially useful for seniors with limited dexterity and physical abilities. Voice-activated technology allows them to call and message you effortlessly, which can come in handy if they require help. Additionally, top tech for elderly video calls often includes user-friendly interfaces that work seamlessly with voice assistants, so it will be easy for your loved ones to master using them.
Using Voice-Activated Assistants as Memory Aids
Most of us still need to get used to the idea of simply using our voice to get the information we want, but the technology is there and ready to serve. Seniors can take full advantage of this system by using voice-activated assistants to remind them to take their medication, do a chore, or remember someone’s birthday. They can set up the events and reminders in their calendar (or have someone do it for them) and then ask their assistant about the plans every morning.
This is convenient because they don’t need to remember to look at their planner or calendar; they can simply give a voice command, and the assistant will do the rest. The approach can be taken one step further, and your elderly family members can use their voice assistant to get the information they need, be it news, weather forecasts, or something they’re curious about. They don’t need to bother with tablets, keyboards, and laptops – everything they need can be curated and figured out solely through voice commands.
Using Voice Technology to Improve Home Security
Having a senior family member live on their own comes with its risks. Home safety is always a concern, and seniors should have a complete understanding and control over their home security systems. Some voice-activated assistants can be integrated with home security systems, making it easier for the elderly to control and check cameras, alarms, and locks.
By using voice commands, they can double-check if they locked their front doors in the evening without ever leaving their bed or check the cameras for possible intruders. Voice assistants can even turn lights on and off if the house has smart home features that allow for it.
Another dimension of this voice-assistant and home security system integration is alerting close family or an ambulance in case of a medical emergency. This can be especially useful if your elderly parent is a fall risk or has seizure-inducing health conditions. For the best results, you can pair voice-activated technology with motion sensors and ensure that your loved ones are taken care of, even when you’re not around.
Plenty of Entertainment Options Easily Accessed
There’s never been more entertainment options at our fingertips, and your senior family members can take full advantage of that. While multiple remote controls and smart TVs may seem a bit daunting, using their voice assistant to find movies, music, and audiobooks online is easy and quick. So, whatever their entertainment preference is, they can easily find and enjoy it in a few minutes.
This functionality is of great help for seniors with visual impairment because they can access any platform and information they need through voice commands.
Many voice-activated assistants also have accessible features designed to cater to hearing impairments, and they can pair with compatible hearing aids or adjust sound settings for clearer voice recognition. All this is confirmation that voice technology is a wonderful way to ensure seniors lead a fulfilled and varied life.
Conclusion
The many uses of voice-activated technology can be a game-changer for the elderly living independently and actively looking for ways to enrich their daily routine. They can easily shop, play games with friends, listen to podcasts, and generally feel empowered to live their lives fully, and that’s only the beginning.
The voice-activated assistants will develop more over time, so the scope of their help will only expand. This means that our senior family members will learn to use it more easily and rely on it, allowing them to feel confident and supported in everything they do.