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Hi, I was wondering if there are any care homes or nursing homes that provide Alexa in every room to help seniors with every day reminders and assist with their daily check-up as well?
Saurav, I honestly don't think it is a good idea, for nursing homes. When my Mom was in a nursing homes, vast majority of people on her floor needed a lot of help from the Staff. And if that person was in his/her room by themselves and suddenly heard a voice talking to them, they would be startled. Imagine if that person told their family they were hearing voices.
It also depends on the senior's memory. What Alexa said five minutes ago may be totally forgotten by the resident.
Alexa might work in "assisted living" if the person was tech savy when they arrived. My Dad, in his 90's, would have been able to understand the concept as he was an electrical engineer. Only problem, he would try to take Alexa apart to see how it works :P
Neither I, nor my sig other, are into all the tech stuff that is around. Heck, I still use a flip-phone. My refrigerator doesn't talk to my stove. If I need to know something, I will go to my computer [been using PC's since late 1980's] and researching keeps my mind sharp.
With so much dependence on tech items, I can see the younger generation not being able to play "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" without their cellphone or Alexa parked next to them.
A device should not be used. Patients need human contact. A device cannot see a patient. In some cases seeing a patient and their condition is vital. Plus programming and retrieval would be time that could be better spent with direct care. And there would be the costs of equipment.
I can also see a real issue with noise levels. A bunch of hard of hearing people speaking loudly to Alexa or loud because they don’t understand Alexa. At times noise levels are hard to cope with in AL and SN.
I have to laugh when I think of this. It's not funny in and of itself; hearing challenges aren't. But a group of frustrated seniors yelling back at a machine that has a set volume is somewhat comical.
I’m at a skilled nursing/assisted living everyday. We discussed getting Alexa and it was voted down by all hands-on staff. Most felt that it would be more work for them. Most residents are not tech savvy. FaceTime and Zoom visits have been more than difficult. We actually hired a couple of aides to help with these visits. We are well staffed, but don’t want to add anything more to their workload. Ultimately, adding staff will lead to increased costs.
I think there might be an issue with follow-through, and documenting Alexa's "advice." Med pros chart, and that's an absolute necessity. I doubt if Alexa is programmed to chart, even though it might be programmed to issue reminders. Still, for medical records, I think the certainty of a real live person needs to be there to ensure that instructions, etc. are properly conveyed.
There might also be a legal issue with delegation by med pros of obligations to a machine. Alexa has also been known to ad lib. If that happens, and a patient suffers or is injured, who's liable? I doubt if the med pros or the admin staff would want that responsibility.
Besides, people in care facilities in my opinion need and often crave interaction with real life people, and animals, but not machines.
FreqFlyer, my appliances don't communicate with each other either! I wouldn't mind though if my furnace told me when the electronic filter needs to be cleaned.
Then they could set up Google! I doubt if anyone is named, Hey Google! LOL
I’m married to an engineer and we have both, Alexa and Google.
Alexa and Google interface with his company’s products that they manufacture.
Anyway, his team is always testing different products that work with Alexa and Google.
I enjoy seeing little kids interacting with technology. They are not intimidated in the least. They have never known a world without modern conveniences.
Gosh, I turn 65 tomorrow! I remember having to get up to change the channel on the television for my dad while he sat in his recliner. Hahaha No remotes!
SauraV, you responded to jkm999 stating that you "would love to talk more with [her/him] about different use cases for Alexa for Seniors." I was quite hard on you with my earlier response, so I'll try to compensate for that by sharing what I think are fairly common approaches by caregivers:
Instead of searching for uses of a specific device, think of what devices elders and caregivers need, or want, and then tailor a device to those needs.
E.g., I doubt if many caregivers look at walkers, or rollators, or phone enhancers and ask how they can be used. They/we identify a need, such as assistance getting out of chairs, of walking, of going down steps, getting in and out of cars, and ask which devices can be of assistance.
Identify a need and ask yourself how, and if, Alexa could help, and/or how it could be adapted to do so.
To me, focusing first on the need and identifying solutions is a goal of problem solving, and would make an item more useful if it can be adapted. Seniors shouldn't have to adapt to consumer products. We/they have enough issues to deal with already.
That's a fair response as well as focusing on the need first and THEN identifying solutions as a way of problem solving. I agree with your statement "Seniors shouldn't have to adapt to consumer products. We/they have enough issues to deal with already."
This a business venture for this poster. It will increase costs for facilities. There are several court cases involving privacy issues because Alexa records everything it hears. There are questions about whether Amazon has access to Alexa recordings.
There are so many negatives that I would not consider using. Ultimately, it cause price increases. We keep a monthly log of all increases in cost. Annually we review our costs. The initial basic expenditures would be about $4000.00. Big expense to absorb.
I have reported this questions to administrators because the forum is for caregiver support, not business people who stand to make a profit off of this endeavor.
I want quality care and service for each resident and cost increases kept at a minimum. We have spent over $80,000 invested in upgrading our record keeping, digital and electronic services. We provide Nest cameras to any family that wants them in their LO’s room. I’m not tossing paid upgrades for an unproven technology. And I will not pass costs to families for an experiment.
I’m done with question. I believe it should be closed. We don’t need to be guinea pigs for a poster who is not involved in elder care.
I'm not trying to burst your bubble and I know people are always trying to find ways to improve a variety of life's demands but, where do we draw the line?
Just like us women (or men) caregivers are imperfect along with nursing staffs at facilities - "Alexa" as pretty as her name is will make mistakes too when she malfunctions. Just like sophisticated cars with all their fancy programming will malfunction and it will take a real "specialist" to fix that car back to working order at a higher price of course. Gone are the days when a man could pull underneath a car with his toolbox and fix what is wrong restoring it to driveable conditions.
It's no different with "Alexa" and how can one possibly foresee all the different questions/scenarios that could occur especially with dementia patients. When "Alexa" malfunctions, will the actual staff even know anymore how to handle a situation without the reliance of "Alexa" or any other technology?
I'm sorry, I just feel trying to push professional people more and more away from doing what they've spent years and money to be trained to do where they are taking care of human beings and being replaced by the same lady who can open your blinds, turn on your TV, turn off and on your lights - I don't think is such a great idea.
By proceeding, I agree that I understand the following disclosures:
I. How We Work in Washington.
Based on your preferences, we provide you with information about one or more of our contracted senior living providers ("Participating Communities") and provide your Senior Living Care Information to Participating Communities. The Participating Communities may contact you directly regarding their services.
APFM does not endorse or recommend any provider. It is your sole responsibility to select the appropriate care for yourself or your loved one. We work with both you and the Participating Communities in your search. We do not permit our Advisors to have an ownership interest in Participating Communities.
II. How We Are Paid.
We do not charge you any fee – we are paid by the Participating Communities. Some Participating Communities pay us a percentage of the first month's standard rate for the rent and care services you select. We invoice these fees after the senior moves in.
III. When We Tour.
APFM tours certain Participating Communities in Washington (typically more in metropolitan areas than in rural areas.) During the 12 month period prior to December 31, 2017, we toured 86.2% of Participating Communities with capacity for 20 or more residents.
IV. No Obligation or Commitment.
You have no obligation to use or to continue to use our services. Because you pay no fee to us, you will never need to ask for a refund.
V. Complaints.
Please contact our Family Feedback Line at (866) 584-7340 or ConsumerFeedback@aplaceformom.com to report any complaint. Consumers have many avenues to address a dispute with any referral service company, including the right to file a complaint with the Attorney General's office at: Consumer Protection Division, 800 5th Avenue, Ste. 2000, Seattle, 98104 or 800-551-4636.
VI. No Waiver of Your Rights.
APFM does not (and may not) require or even ask consumers seeking senior housing or care services in Washington State to sign waivers of liability for losses of personal property or injury or to sign waivers of any rights established under law.
I agree that:
A.
I authorize A Place For Mom ("APFM") to collect certain personal and contact detail information, as well as relevant health care information about me or from me about the senior family member or relative I am assisting ("Senior Living Care Information").
B.
APFM may provide information to me electronically. My electronic signature on agreements and documents has the same effect as if I signed them in ink.
C.
APFM may send all communications to me electronically via e-mail or by access to an APFM web site.
D.
If I want a paper copy, I can print a copy of the Disclosures or download the Disclosures for my records.
E.
This E-Sign Acknowledgement and Authorization applies to these Disclosures and all future Disclosures related to APFM's services, unless I revoke my authorization. You may revoke this authorization in writing at any time (except where we have already disclosed information before receiving your revocation.) This authorization will expire after one year.
F.
You consent to APFM's reaching out to you using a phone system than can auto-dial numbers (we miss rotary phones, too!), but this consent is not required to use our service.
It also depends on the senior's memory. What Alexa said five minutes ago may be totally forgotten by the resident.
Alexa might work in "assisted living" if the person was tech savy when they arrived. My Dad, in his 90's, would have been able to understand the concept as he was an electrical engineer. Only problem, he would try to take Alexa apart to see how it works :P
Neither I, nor my sig other, are into all the tech stuff that is around. Heck, I still use a flip-phone. My refrigerator doesn't talk to my stove. If I need to know something, I will go to my computer [been using PC's since late 1980's] and researching keeps my mind sharp.
With so much dependence on tech items, I can see the younger generation not being able to play "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" without their cellphone or Alexa parked next to them.
You make a valid point! Transition is difficult for seniors.
My mom does love some technology. She adores seeing pictures on my phone that I take. She finds that exciting.
There might also be a legal issue with delegation by med pros of obligations to a machine. Alexa has also been known to ad lib. If that happens, and a patient suffers or is injured, who's liable? I doubt if the med pros or the admin staff would want that responsibility.
Besides, people in care facilities in my opinion need and often crave interaction with real life people, and animals, but not machines.
FreqFlyer, my appliances don't communicate with each other either! I wouldn't mind though if my furnace told me when the electronic filter needs to be cleaned.
I’m married to an engineer and we have both, Alexa and Google.
Alexa and Google interface with his company’s products that they manufacture.
Anyway, his team is always testing different products that work with Alexa and Google.
I enjoy seeing little kids interacting with technology. They are not intimidated in the least. They have never known a world without modern conveniences.
Gosh, I turn 65 tomorrow! I remember having to get up to change the channel on the television for my dad while he sat in his recliner. Hahaha No remotes!
Instead of searching for uses of a specific device, think of what devices elders and caregivers need, or want, and then tailor a device to those needs.
E.g., I doubt if many caregivers look at walkers, or rollators, or phone enhancers and ask how they can be used. They/we identify a need, such as assistance getting out of chairs, of walking, of going down steps, getting in and out of cars, and ask which devices can be of assistance.
Identify a need and ask yourself how, and if, Alexa could help, and/or how it could be adapted to do so.
To me, focusing first on the need and identifying solutions is a goal of problem solving, and would make an item more useful if it can be adapted. Seniors shouldn't have to adapt to consumer products. We/they have enough issues to deal with already.
That's a fair response as well as focusing on the need first and THEN identifying solutions as a way of problem solving. I agree with your statement "Seniors shouldn't have to adapt to consumer products. We/they have enough issues to deal with already."
There are so many negatives that I would not consider using. Ultimately, it cause price increases. We keep a monthly log of all increases in cost. Annually we review our costs. The initial basic expenditures would be about $4000.00. Big expense to absorb.
I have reported this questions to administrators because the forum is for caregiver support, not business people who stand to make a profit off of this endeavor.
I want quality care and service for each resident and cost increases kept at a minimum. We have spent over $80,000 invested in upgrading our record keeping, digital and electronic services. We provide Nest cameras to any family that wants them in their LO’s room. I’m not tossing paid upgrades for an unproven technology. And I will not pass costs to families for an experiment.
I’m done with question. I believe it should be closed. We don’t need to be guinea pigs for a poster who is not involved in elder care.
PBS has aired programs on AI, use, abuse, and a lot of other issues, including the critical security issue.
(I'm unable to PM you; could you PM me please?)
I'm not trying to burst your bubble and I know people are always trying to find ways to improve a variety of life's demands but, where do we draw the line?
Just like us women (or men) caregivers are imperfect along with nursing staffs at facilities - "Alexa" as pretty as her name is will make mistakes too when she malfunctions. Just like sophisticated cars with all their fancy programming will malfunction and it will take a real "specialist" to fix that car back to working order at a higher price of course. Gone are the days when a man could pull underneath a car with his toolbox and fix what is wrong restoring it to driveable conditions.
It's no different with "Alexa" and how can one possibly foresee all the different questions/scenarios that could occur especially with dementia patients. When "Alexa" malfunctions, will the actual staff even know anymore how to handle a situation without the reliance of "Alexa" or any other technology?
I'm sorry, I just feel trying to push professional people more and more away from doing what they've spent years and money to be trained to do where they are taking care of human beings and being replaced by the same lady who can open your blinds, turn on your TV, turn off and on your lights - I don't think is such a great idea.
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