For help with daily living, Alexa is a great partner for older adults. Alexa is Amazon’s virtual assistant. She can be summoned to assist you. She (a female voice) will answer your questions in a conversational style and be eager to help you no matter what. All you need to get started is a Wi-Fi connection and an Echo (or any other Alexa-enabled device) that can be easily purchased online at Amazon or other retailers. By signing up for an Amazon monthly subscription, you can also enjoy other features, such as music and audible books, on your Alexa device.
Alexa is your assistant. Here are some of the perks
Times and Dates (locale, national and international): Alexa is always ready to assist you with dates or times for most places around the globe.
Commands Alexa… what’s the current date in (named location)? Alexa…what hour is it in (name location)?
Notes To activate Alexa’s response mode, start each question or command by including her name. Alexa may ask you a question unrelated to your name, but it will occasionally do so.
Weather report (locale, national and international): Get daily and weekly forecasts for your chosen location.
Commands Alexa… what’s the weather forecast today in (named of location)? Alexa…what is the hourly forecast for (name of the place)?
Notes Alexa can predict the humidity, time of sunrise/sunset, and rain/snow forecast.
Events: After Alexa has been paired to your online calendar, she can make any changes you want. She can post or cancel events according to your commands. You can get daily reminders about upcoming events from Alexa to help you stay on track.
Commands Alexa…schedule in my calendar (name the event) on (date), at (time). Alexa… what’s on my calendar for (date). Alexa…delete [name of event] at (day/time). Alexa…change the name and time of the event to (new date/time).
Notes You can change your commands at will. Alexa is flexible and will ask you questions to finish the scheduling process.
Most Popular Songs and Artists Music lovers can access free apps and paid subscriptions to Amazon to listen to their favorite songs and artists.
Commands Alexa…play (name of the song). Alexa…play top songs by (name artist/band). Alexa…play the top songs by (name of artist/band) on (name radio station).
Notes: Use your Amazon Alexa app to get the best music and radio stations. Alexa will make recommendations to help choose the best music.
Notes and Lists: Alexa can help you organize your life by creating and maintaining shopping and to-do lists and other custom lists and notes. You can access these lists easily from your smartphone using the Amazon Alexa app for iOS and Android.
Commands Alexa…create an item (Alexa will ask for the list name, such as gift list, packing list, etc.). Alexa…put the item on my (name of your list). Alexa…add (name the task) to my to-do list.
Notes You can easily update your lists using Alexa or your smartphone’s Amazon Alexa app.
Humorous Jokes and Riddles Alexa is quite the comedian. You will enjoy her unique collection of jokes, riddles, and other funny stories.
Commands Alexa…tell us a joke Alexa…tell us a riddle!
Notes Share Alexa’s jokes with your friends and coworkers to brighten their day.
Interesting facts: Alexa can be described as a virtual encyclopedia that contains a wealth of information and trivia. Ask her for her information.
Commands Alexa…What is Nebraska’s capital? Alexa…how many yards are there? Alexa… who’s the world-champion hotdog eater?
Notes Alexa can answer current questions or facts. She will tell you if she needs to know the answer or ask for clarification.
Latest Updates: Ask Alexa for the most recent traffic, stock, and news reports.
Commands Alexa…who is (name of team) playing tonight’s game? Alexa… what’s today’s headline news? Alexa… how’s the stock market? Alexa… what’s the traffic report for (name of the place)?
Notes Alexa will better understand your voice if you continue to ask her questions.
Stress Relief: Alexa has various options to help you release stress and strain. These include soothing music, meditation, peaceful sounds, and healing and relaxation music. Daily Morning Affirmations can be used to kick-start your day.
Commands: Alexa…play spa music. Alexa…open meditation music. Alexa…play Daily Morning Affirmations.
Notes: You can set the music to continue playing for a longer time by saying Alexa…set music for seven hours. You can exit by saying Alexa…stop.
Timers and Reminders: Create reminders to remind you to take your medication, go to an event, or do anything else that comes to mind. Alexa can be used in the kitchen as a timer for baking.
Commands Alexa…remind me to take my medication at (name of time). Alexa…set the timer to (number of hours, minutes).
Notes Alexa can handle multiple reminders at once or on different days. Making it a habit of programming Alexa for the most important reminders ahead of time is a good idea.
Books, Games, and More: Get involved in the endless entertainment options on Alexa. You can also access music and audible books through Amazon. Brain teasers are free.
Commands Alexa… let’s play a game. Alexa…open Puzzles of the Day. Alexa, make me smart. Alexa…open Trivia Battle.
Notes To see her entire selection of skills and games, visit Alexa Skills at Click HERE. Or go to your Alexa App. You can exit a skill or game by saying Alexa…exit.
Calling & Messaging: You can use Alexa to make business and personal calls using your smartphone contacts. You can also make and receive calls from Alexa-enabled phones.
Commands Alexa…call the contact. Alexa…connect me with (name of contact).
Notes – Alexa can also help you locate your lost cell phone. Ask: Alexa…find me my phone.
Companionship Many adults feel disconnected from their loved ones as they age, despite the radio and television background noise. Alexa is a happy, friendly voice that is always available to help.
Commands: Alexa…good morning. Alexa…have an excellent day. Alexa…happy (name the day). Alexa…good night. Alexa…thank you. (Wait to hear her intelligent reply.
Notes Have some fun customizing your approach to Alexa. If Alexa gets bogged down, you can say, “Alexa…STOP.”
Alexa, your virtual assistant, will exceed all your expectations once you begin using her. You can learn more about Alexa by visiting the Amazon Alexa App.