Amazon Alexa supports care providers with senior living product

Amazon has launched Alexa Smart Properties for Senior Living, enabling Alexa devices to be integrated into assisted living and care facilities.

Alexa Smart Properties will specifically support the needs of older residents and those who are providing care to them. It gives the ability for care providers to deploy, manage and service a fleet of Echo devices quickly, remotely and at scale, working with solution providers to customise them.

To support solution providers to customise, manage and service the devices, Alexa Smart Properties tools and APIs were used.

Of the companies already using the service, Morris Care and The Royal Airforce Association worked with The Digital Line to build skills for their properties. Ascom worked with Discvision and Blind Veterans UK worked with Vocala.

Nicolas Vanden Abeele, CEO of Ascom Group, said: “We are excited to collaborate with Amazon and bring together Alexa Smart Properties for Senior Living and our state-of-the art Ofelia software and mobility solutions – a game-changing solution for senior living.

“Both residents and staff can simply make requests by voice, which is an intuitive way to interact with technology, no matter what age you are.”

Care teams can communicate with residents using Amazon Alexa communication features such as making announcements and voice and video calls. Property managers will also be able to engage with residents by displaying activities, menus and reminders on Echo Show devices.

In addition, It will also empower residents to control their environment with an Amazon Alexa device, giving them greater independence. For example, using their voice they can control smart lighting, blinds or thermostats, freeing up care teams to focus on their caring roles.

Plus, the Alexa-to-Alexa facility will ensure residents can easily stay in touch with friends and family members too.

Martin Green, CEO of Care England, said: “There is so much potential to integrate Alexa Smart Properties for Senior Living with property services, care planning and other care and operational systems that it could revolutionise how care providers provide best quality care.”

Amazon Alexa Smart Properties has been rolled out to several UK locations including: Majesticare’s Cavendish Park Care Home, Morris Care Isle Court, The Royal Airforce Association’s Rothbury House and Blind Veterans UK’s respite care centre in North Wales.

This is far from Amazon’s first foray into the elderly healthcare market using the Alexa device. Two years ago Amazon introduced The Care Hub, a set of care features for US customers to help support independent living for older people.