Amazon Echo has changed at least one aspect of our lives: revealing the true power of voice command technology in our everyday life.
No doubt, that this device will soon turn the whole world upside down, as it has already done in the digital world.
Alexa is like a modern magic mirror that carries information about thousands of topics and is always listening at command. It can tell you about the weather, the nearest restaurant, to play your favorite music or radio station.
It possesses plenty of useful functionalities. It can be used as a reminder or an alarm clock, to manage your schedule and travel arrangements, answer the meaning of a word or math problem, translate text and more.
What's more, it can be upgraded with plug-in device such as Echo Dot or Echo Show, which can be used to control home appliances and check in on security cameras.
Alexa is definitely a convenient assistant, which is capable to bring fun into your life.
But what's the best device for seniors? Let's take a look at one of them right away.
If you are wondering whether Echo Dot is good for seniors, the answer is – yes, it is!
For them, it is a real boon if you can integrate the device into their daily routines.
Alexa can perform the following useful tasks:
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Echo Show 8 – | Best Overall |  |
| Amazon Smart Plug | Budget Pick |  |
| Ring Video Doorbell Pro | Upgrade Pick |  |
1. Echo Show 8 –
Pros:
- FaceTime and Skype video calling
- Can be used as intercom, making it ideal for multi-level households
- Back up files using default Alexa app
- Alexa for Seniors
- Made for Android
- Universal remote control
- Smart Device Connectivity
- Screen Size: 8‛
- Resolution: 1,280 x 1,024
- Video Calling: Yes
Cons:
- Not just for seniors: Anyone who wants to make their home more functional and comfortable
- May not have enough memory to store large volumes of photos/videos
- Sometimes the Alexa voice recognition and response may be slower than you expect. It's not a smartphone.
This voice-activated device connects to Alexa for easy dialing and landline phone calls. You can watch movies, TV, read the news, listen to music and even control the lights, thermostat and door locks in your home. Play music while cooking and easily connect your Echo Show to your household speaker system if you already have one.
This smart device is easy to set up. Just follow the included instructions, download the Alexa app on your smartphone or tablet, and you are ready to go. You need a Wi-Fi connection to access this product.
2. Philips Hue White LED Smart Button Starter Kit
Pros:
- Energy Star Certification
- Relatively affordable price point
If your aging parent is looking for the best smart home products for seniors, the Philips Hue Smart Bulbs might just be the best gift for them.
What we like about this kit is that it’s easy to set up. You can use these lights with or without a compatible hub. However, as an Amazon Echo device integrator, we prefer that the hub be used. It’s easier to set up that way.
The various colors of the lights are pleasing and you can always change them at the touch of a button without the need of a light dimmer. As well, the two-year warranty is a reassurance that if something does go wrong, you’re covered.
3. Amazon Smart Plug
4. Ring Video Doorbell Pro
Pros:
- Can pan, tilt, and zoom without tools
- Offers live streaming of video and audio
- Encourages a safe neighborhood with the instant alerts
- Users can talk to visitors digitally with the doorbell
- Can be attached to any wall with included mounting equipment
- Easy to install
Cons:
- This is not the surveillance camera for people who are not tech savvy
- Does not work with Wink systems
- Can be a little pricey
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro is a neat device that has the potential to enhance the safety of your home. You’ll find that this product comes with everything you need in the box, such as hardware that is easy to understand and install.
However, the app is unfortunately not all that great. It’s too difficult for some people to use it effectively. It’s also not going to work with Wink systems (as of now.)
We like the fact that the Ring Pro can be placed anywhere that you want on your home. On top of that, this video doorbell is easy to install with the right tools.
5. Echo Dot
Pros:
- Available in a variety of colors
- Comes with a built-in clock to make the device useful as an alarm clock after Alexa duties are complete
- Doesn’t create pollution like other clocks with its built-in energy-efficient features
- Has a small foot print
- Has a built-in energy-efficient plug for convenience
- Very affordable
Cons:
- Doesn’t have a temperature sensor like the first-generation product
- May still be too big for some people’s needs
The second-generation Amazon Echo Dot with a built-in clock was the first Amazon device designed to be more than a smart speaker. It’s a smart device that can be a voice-activated alarm clock, play music and podcasts, make to-do lists and appoint reminders. But it’s also an intelligent assistant that lets you connect your voice to your electronic devices through a smart plug.
This plugs into devices such as lamps, fans and small kitchen appliances, or anything else you can think of. And it’s a great way to keep them working even when your Echo Dot isn’t.
6. Echo
Pros:
- Very simple to use for seniors
- If they do get stuck, you can speak to Amazon’s customer service to help you
- Can also use to call emergency services
- Battery is designed to last for a very long time. For 5 hours in use, it takes 3 hours to charge
Cons:
- Customer service isn’t available 24 hours a day and takes quite a while to respond
- Alexa isn’t always able to understand what your voice is
- Potential worries with security- your Amazon account password could be used for accessing other financial accounts
The Echo was voted the bestselling product of 2017 and the second bestselling product of 2018. As Amazon is currently the biggest online store in the world, this is a big lead on the rest of the competition.
With Amazon Echo, you use an app to connect to the same information you use on your computer. However, if you are having problems, you can find help on the Amazon community forums.
You won’t be able to use it for music as they only have a speaker but this isn’t the main purpose of the product. Amazon have recently announced that there is voice calling available for Echo devices, however this still needs some work.
7. Insignia NS-43DF710NA19 43-inch Smart 4K UHD TV
This smart TV is a great addition to your home theater experience. In fact, when you buy Insignia 43-inch Smart 4K UHD TV – Fire TV Edition, you'll get a smart remote with Alexa. Four HDMI ports means that you can connect more devices to it.
There are many advantages to watching movies on smart TV. You can easily navigate through different TV channels and watch your favorite shows. Watching TV on a smart TV has many advantages – and you can stream shows from Amazon Prime Video. It also handles streaming Netflix, too.
It’s a great choice for the mid-range smart home theater system. If you’re looking for either a refurbished or new Insignia TV with Alexa, this is one of the options that you might want to consider.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which Alexa is best for seniors?
A popular question is, which Alexa is best for seniors? If you care for your aging parents, perhaps you want to give them Alexa access in their home.
When it comes to older populations, new technology such as Alexa may seem intimidating.
And, the truth is, some might be. But, with the right device and spending time teaching your parents how to use it, you can make a difference.
The most essential thing you can do is get an Amazon Echo Show or the Echo Show 5. Accessing Alexa is easier for non-techy people and there is a screen!
Would Alexa be good for the elderly?
As of the time of this writing, there are many devices that promise to help keep your aging parents entertained. A device to monitor whether the front door is locked is one of the most popular, perhaps because that's one of the few times you can actually speak to your aging parent in the evening.
It is easy to be convinced by the features and special capabilities of Alexa for Seniors. You can make a reasonable argument for the benefits of its internet connection, and the ability to call relatives through the speaker itself is useful.
However, there’s also technology that we think is more promising, and certainly more cost-effective.
How do I set up Alexa for seniors?
There are a variety of skills available for Alexa, all of which can be set up through the Alexa app. All you need to do is open the app and search for skills.
Can I get Alexa to control my Samsung TV?
Yes and no. You can add your Samsung TV as a media device on the Amazon Alexa app, and you can also use your TV's remote to unlock your Fire Stick on your TV if you have linked the two devices, but the actual voice commands for a TV were not available on Alexa at the time of this writing.
In other words, you can't use the voice command "Alexa, turn on the TV" and expect it to work.
The good news is that you can get the Fire TV Stick to control your TV, which you can then use your Samsung TV remote to control your Fire Stick.
More on how to set that up here.
Conclusion
We don’t recommend using a smart speaker as a first device, and we don’t recommend starting with the most advanced smart speaker or the one that costs the most. We recommend starting with a smaller, less expensive smart speaker because it is a lot easier to start with the basics than to bring someone up to speed when they have a much more advanced device.
Our Recommendation
| Name | Category | Product |
|---|---|---|
| Echo Show 8 – | Best Overall | |
| Amazon Smart Plug | Budget Pick | |
| Ring Video Doorbell Pro | Upgrade Pick | |