Amazon Echo Dot Archives

How new Alexa features can help care for the older people in your life

It can be challenging when caring for an aging loved one. There aren’t many tools to make the job more accessible, and with COVID-19 around, face-to-face meetings are difficult.

But when you can’t physically be with your loved ones, companies like Amazon attempt to make the world a smaller place. Through initiatives such as Alexa Together, the service can send you daily check-in alerts or dispatch emergency services if a fall is detected.

Expanding on the remote caring of the elderly, Amazon has now added two new features to Alexa Together. Read on to see what these features are and how to enable them.

Here’s the backstory

Amazon’s Alexa includes several security features and health add-ons. For example, you can ask Alexa for medical advice and to put you in contact with a doctor. An Echo device can also listen for glass breaking or an unattended appliance.

But the most comprehensive offering, especially if you are the primary caregiver to an elderly family member, is Alexa Together. Through the $19.99 per month subscription fee, you can set up custom alerts when someone uses Alexa in the morning or if there is no activity at all.

It also includes calling for help through Alexa, where trained agents can dispatch emergency services. Also, if an Echo device or mobile phone detects a fall, it will automatically dial through to the agents.

Here are the two new features that are rolling out with Alexa Together:

Circle of Support

Amazon knows that it is difficult to care for someone, especially if you do so by yourself. So the Circle of Support lets up to 10 caregivers assist the same person. In addition, the senior or caregiver can add additional people to the circle, and it can be anyone from a sibling to a neighbor or spouse.

Everyone in the Circle of Support will get daily alerts and quick check-ins through the activity feed. Still, only the designated primary caregiver can use Remote Assist if the loved one chooses to enable that feature.

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How to build a smart home at any budget

Smart homes feel pretty magical. Walk into a room, say the word and a light turns on or a lock slides into place. They’re also great for security: Out goes an SOS or medical emergency alert with a touch of the button.

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Beep! Ding! Buzz!

The other day, I was at a friend’s house, and she used her microwave as a timer. I’m all for multitasking, but come on — terrible interface, beeping buttons and you have to walk across the room to turn it off! Forget that. Get one of these instead.

Digital: Set your timer easily by rotating this model’s big, bright screen. Read: No repeated button pressing! It’s magnetic, too, so you can stick it to your fridge or exhaust hood. Grab it on sale now for 30% off ($14.03).
Visual: Countdown timers are usually seen in classrooms, but I find them useful for tracking time left! This one maxes out at an hour, so it’s perfect for quick timers. Plus, it’s 33% off ($16.14) and comes in 14 fun colors.
Verbal: I used to joke that in our house, Alexa was mostly an expensive kitchen timer, but honestly, she’s a great kitchen timer (no hands!) and not that expensive. This colorful Echo Dot is 50% off ($19.99) and available in four great colors. Love the teal!

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

The clock is ticking! Last-minute gifts and stocking stuffers

Have you finished your holiday shopping yet? If not, you’re running out of time.

You’re probably already aware of that, though. With only a few days until Christmas, we’re down to the wire on the shopping timeline. If you don’t get it done now, you’re going to be stuck with minimal choices. Most of the Christmas shipping deadlines have already passed, so the clock is winding down.

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New Alexa features make it easier to check in on older loved ones

Travel has essentially come to a halt this holiday season. The pandemic has taken a swift upward trajectory over the last month, and many states are starting to restrict travel or gatherings again.

These restrictions are going to cause issues with visiting extended family this year. Many of us have already been keeping a distance from elderly relatives or family members with health conditions due to the pandemic. You can still use tech to check in on your older family members, though — even if you can’t be there in person.

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13 Alexa skills that you’ll use time and time again

At last, you’ve found yourself with an Amazon Echo speaker and it’s the perfect time to have a virtual assistant since you’re spending so much time at home. The Echo (or Echo Dot, or Echo Tap, or Echo Show, or Echo Plus, or Echo Spot) is now in your kitchen, and it’s ready for your every command.

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6 Amazon Echo uses that'll surprise you

It’s only been a few short years since Amazon’s Alexa came into our lives, and we’ve got to say a lot has changed. Not only are we interacting with our tech in brand new ways, but Alexa also triggered a boom in smart home products and accessories.

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