Grateful for the Melodies

About the Impact of Amazon Echo on the Life of an Elderly Woman

Introduction

About two years ago, I got a call from my mother. “You know,” she said, “that Alexa is really working out. I was feeling a little depressed, so I told Alexa to play some nice music, and that’s exactly what she did. In a few minutes, I was feeling so much better!”

The Journey Begins

Alexa had become, not exactly a companion, but a presence in my mother’s home — one that made both her, and myself, feel a little better. This was at least part of what I hoped would happen when I first went shopping for an Echo device. Websites focused on senior care are full of advice on how to add Amazon’s smart speakers as a useful tool, and Amazon’s technology was designed to make tech more approachable and accessible — goals that it often, though not always, succeeds at.

The Impact of Technology

My mother grew up at a time when just having a home telephone was new and exciting

Here’s how it started. My mother had lived most of her life as a teacher in the NYC public schools system, a smart, savvy woman with a master’s in education, a progressive political point of view, and a sometimes irritating ability to assume charge of almost any situation. But she was now entering her late 90s and beginning to have serious problems with her health and her short-term memory recall. Despite her determination to stay independent as long as possible — by playing games on her computer, keeping up with the news, and writing copious journal entries of her day-to-day activities — this increasingly affected her ability to do simple tasks, to learn new skills, and to live independently.

We were able to hire an aide to help her during the daylight hours — make meals, clean up, and help with other chores that she was now unable to do herself. But my mom was also stubborn and refused to have anyone there at night or to wear any kind of emergency button in case she needed help. I lived about 40 minutes away and only spent weekends with her. We needed some way of making sure she was okay when she was the only person in the apartment.

The Role of Amazon Echo

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Conclusion

Still, the Echo was good to have. Near the end of her life, when my mother was bedridden and too weak to speak, I could sit next to her and say, “Alexa, play some Woody Guthrie” or “Alexa, play some Bessie Smith” or “Alexa, play some Count Basie.” The music would start, and my mother would smile — and would, for a time, feel better. And although Amazon’s smart speaker was not the perfect answer to all our needs, for those few moments, I will always be grateful to Alexa.

FAQs

Q: How did Alexa assist in the daily life of the elderly woman?

A: Alexa provided companionship and entertainment through music, helped with daily reminders and information, and offered a way to contact family in case of emergencies.

Q: Were there any challenges faced while incorporating smart technology into the elderly woman’s routine?

A: The elderly woman struggled with certain features like video calls and surveillance but found comfort and practicality in using the device for music, timekeeping, and emergency communication.

Credit: www.theverge.com