One of the biggest anxieties I’ve faced as a caregiver is that "background worry" when a family member is home alone. Even if they have a cell phone, I’ve realized that phones are rarely in hand 24/7. Usually, the phone ends up left on a charger or sitting on the kitchen counter while they move to another room.This is especially true for the bathroom. Most of our elders just don't take their phones in there with them. Since so many falls and accidents happen in or near the bathroom, a phone sitting in the kitchen doesn’t do much good in an emergency.We decided to use the Alexa devices already in the home as a backup safety net. The biggest benefit is that these devices can hear you from a distance; you don’t need to be holding anything for them to work.Here are a few things we learned that might help your family:
Pendants vs. Voice: While systems like Life Alert are great, not everyone wants to wear a pendant. We also found that those buttons can get pressed accidentally, which causes a lot of unnecessary panic and stress. Voice commands are a "hands-free" alternative that stays out of the way until you need it.Free Voice Calling (The "No-Hands" Phone): You can set up Alexa to call up to 20 contacts for free without any extra subscriptions. It’s a great way for them to say, “Alexa, call Jack,” if they can’t reach their phone.PRO TIP for Contacts: Keep the contact names and numbers very simple. Use one name and one number per person (e.g., "Jack" with just his cell number). If you have "Jack Home" and "Jack Cell," Alexa will stop and ask, "Which number do you want to call?" That extra step can be very frustrating and confusing for a senior in a hurry.The "Drop-In" Feature: This allows a caregiver to connect to the home device directly from their smartphone without the other person needing to "answer." It’s helpful if a loved one doesn’t hear their phone or you just want to check in if they are in another room. (Note: This requires a one-time permission setup in the Alexa app).The "Safe at Home" Skill: For elders who aren't tech-savvy or don't like complicated technology, there is a simple, free Alexa skill called Safe at Home. It works as a scheduled check-in. At a certain time, Alexa asks a quick question.If they answer "Yes," the caregiver gets a notification that all is well.If there is no response, the caregiver is alerted to follow up.It’s a very low-tech way to get some peace of mind. You can find it here: https://www.thesafeathome.comConclusion Every caregiving situation is different, but sometimes using the simple voice technology already in the home can make staying connected a little easier and a lot safer.I’d be interested to hear from others here: What tools or "hacks" do you use to stay connected and ensure safety when a parent is home alone?
One reason we also started using Alexa is that sometimes someone might not be able to crawl or reach a phone. A person I know had a fall at home and tried to crawl to the phone, but it was extremely difficult and resulted in multiple bruises and even carpet burns. That experience really showed me how important it is to have more than one way to call for help.
Our situation is a little different because there is usually only one person at home, so there isn’t another person who can call for help. Being able to say something like “Alexa, call Jack” or “Alexa, open Safe at Home” from across the room adds another layer of safety.
Multiple layers are always helpful. I’d be interested to hear what others use when a loved one is home alone.
Plus if one of us had a stroke, we can still dial 911 and our address would show on the 911 Dispatcher's screen, and they are trained to help stroke victims, if a person is unable to talk.