Imagine the peace of mind that comes with knowing help is only a word away. For many families, that’s the promise of a medical alert system like Life Alert. But with smart home technology now in so many living rooms, it’s natural to wonder: could a device like Amazon’s Alexa do the same job?
Here’s where it gets tricky. Alexa can make calls, send alerts, and even connect with certain emergency services, but it isn’t a true substitute for a dedicated medical alert system.
There are gaps in coverage and reliability that every senior and caregiver should understand before depending on it in an emergency.
The good news is, Alexa can still be a helpful tool when paired with the right skills, devices, or subscription services. This article explores exactly how Alexa fits into the picture of senior safety.
Quick Rundown: Can Alexa Be Used as a Life Alert?
- Basic Emergency Help: Alexa can call or message a chosen contact and send alerts with setup.
- Not a Replacement: It lacks fall detection, 24/7 monitoring, and certified medical alert reliability.
- Expand with Skills: “Ask My Buddy” and third-party apps can boost Alexa’s emergency features.
- Best for Home Use: Helpful indoors, but not suitable as a mobile system away from home.
- Extra Perks: Provides reminders, video calls, and weather alerts, often at no extra monthly fee.
So, what does this mean for you? Let’s compare Alexa’s safety features with traditional medical alert systems so you can choose the right fit.
As an occupational therapist and aging-in-place specialist, I often get asked about innovative ways to enhance safety for seniors. One question that comes up frequently is whether Alexa can function as a medical alert device for elderly individuals.
It’s a good question and fortunately Alexa can be used for basic emergency assistance, but it has limitations compared to traditional medical alert systems.
The truth is that not everyone is willing to wear any of the medical mobile devices either as a necklace or a bracelet or even a belt clip. So, an Alexa device may be a better option as far as in home systems for emergencies.
But for a mobile system where you may need to make emergency calls while away from home, we recommend any of the medical alert systems available. Having one of these with you while you are out and about is always a good idea for many older adults.
In addition to so many of the wonderful features / skills that Alexa offers such as medication reminders, video call, severe weather alerts and so much more, having the ability to use it as a medical alert device in your home is an added bonus. And at no extra monthly fee.
More than just a friendly voice, Amazon’s voice assistant Alexa is reported to help save lives by Amazon customers and Amazon employees around the world.
Techradar.com
It’s an amazing low cost tool for seniors and family caregivers alike. Here are 28 wonderful skills (features) that Alexa offers that I believe would be very beneficial for many families with senior loved ones. Many of these skills are at no monthly cost.
Understanding Alexa’s Capabilities for Emergencies
Alexa, Amazon’s voice-activated virtual assistant, has several features that can help in emergencies. For example, seniors can use voice commands to call or message a family member or caregiver.
The “Drop-In” feature allows trusted contacts to check in on the senior through an Alexa device with minimal effort.
As I mentioned earlier, emergency calls can be made on Alexa via the “Ask My Buddy” skill. Once enabled, this feature lets seniors send an alert to pre-selected contacts simply by saying, “Alexa, ask my buddy to send help.” This can be a quick and effective way to notify someone in an emergency without needing to dial a phone.
To enhance safety further, Alexa-compatible devices like Echo Show can provide video calling, making it easier for caregivers to assess the situation visually.
Does Alexa Have An Emergency Alert System?
Yes, Amazon’s Alexa smart devices include a built-in emergency alert system.
The Alexa emergency alert is so very simple to use.
You simply choose one person from your contact list on your smart phone to be your Alexa Emergency Contact.
Then, you can say “Alexa, call for help” to have Alexa call your emergency contact.
To set up Alexa for emergency contact…
- Open the Amazon Alexa app on your mobile device
- Tap on the 3 horizontal lines in the bottom right of your screen
- Tap on Settings
- Scroll down and tap on Communication
- Tap on Manage Contacts
- Tap on Emergency Contact
- Tap on Select Contact
- Choose the person in your contact list that you would like to be contacted in case of an emergency
If you have trouble speaking, you can certainly use the keyboard on your Alexa app to type in your command to Alexa. Learn more about how Alexa can help hearing or speech impaired here.
How To Use Alexa’s Emergency Contact
If an emergency arises and someone in your family needs help, they can simply say , “Alexa, call my emergency contact.”
Alexa will then call the emergency contact you specified and let them know what’s going on.
Amazon Alexa’s emergency alert system can be a life-saving tool during medical emergencies and other types of emergencies as well. By registering your emergency contacts, you can easily communicate with them that you need medical help.
Ask My Buddy Skill
Another skill (feature) that you can use is the Ask My Buddy Skill. After it’s set up you can simply say “Alexa, ask my buddy to send help.”
This free program allows you to set up 5 “buddies” so that when you say “Alexa, ask my buddy to send help.” Alexa will then contact those 5 people and let them know that you are in trouble.
Now, the premium (paid) version of Ask My Buddy you can add 5 more people to your buddy list and it will also call 911 for you.
If you’re ever in a situation where you can’t speak, you can also activate your medical alert system by pressing the button on your Amazon Alexa device. This will send a notification to your emergency contacts that you need help.
Of course, this means you have to be able to reach your Alexa device.
What Do You Need To Use Alexa As A Medical Alert Device?
All you need is the Alexa Echo device and a cell phone to download the SOS My Family app. Then you can use your Amazon Echo medical alert.
If you’re looking for a way to keep yourself safe and feel more secure in your home, consider using Alexa as a life alert. With just a few simple steps, you can be ready to use your Amazon Echo in case of an emergency.
Remember, it’s always important to stay safe and prepared!
Alexa vs. Traditional Medical Alert Devices
Benefits of Using Alexa:
- Affordability: Alexa devices are more cost-effective than many medical alert systems.
- Versatility: Beyond emergency functions, Alexa can provide entertainment, reminders, and weather updates.
- Ease of Use: For tech-savvy seniors, Alexa’s voice commands are simple and convenient.
Limitations to Consider:
- No Automatic Alerts: Unlike traditional medical alert systems, Alexa does not detect falls or provide 24/7 monitoring.
- Reliance on Wi-Fi and Power: If there’s a power outage or internet disruption, Alexa becomes inoperable.
- Skill-Based Dependence: The effectiveness of Alexa in emergencies relies on the proper setup and use of specific skills.
To help you compare, here’s a quick snapshot:
| Feature | Alexa | Medical Alert Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Low (Device + Internet Required) | Moderate to High (Subscription Fees) |
| Automatic Fall Detection | No | Yes |
| 24/7 Monitoring | No | Yes |
| Emergency Contacts | Yes (Manual Setup) | Yes |
Privacy and Security Considerations
While Alexa offers convenience, some may worry about privacy. The device is always listening for its wake word, and this can raise concerns about data security. To address these concerns:
- Regularly review Alexa’s privacy settings in the app.
- Disable voice recordings or set them to auto-delete.
- Share device access only with trusted individuals.
These steps ensure a balance between convenience and security.
Take the extra step here to delete your Alexa recordings – here’s how!
Can Alexa Call 911?
This is a question that many people have, and the answer is “Yes” but only through the paid version of the Ask My Buddy Skill.
Now, having said that, I must admit it’s not entirely true. Truth is, you can also call 911 via an Alexa device if you happen to own an Amazon Echo Connect device. The thing is that product is not sold any longer.
But, if you happen to have bought one years ago it can be set up to allow you to call emergency services via your Alexa device.
