Amazon Alexa for Family Caregivers - What to Know About Amazon's Alexa Together Service

Up to 15% of family caregivers provide long-distance care, according to the Family Caregiver Alliance. If you’re one of them, then you know how challenging long-distance caregiving can be. 

You might not be able to visit your loved one in person, but with a smart device, you can monitor their movements, remind them to take their medications, and regularly check-in. Believe it or not, a system already makes this process incredibly easy: Amazon’s Alexa Together caregiver program.

**This article isn’t sponsored or promoted by Amazon. It’s only meant to educate and inform.*

What is Amazon’s Alexa Together Caregiver Program?

Amazon’s Alexa Together caregiver program launched at the end of 2021 with the goal of giving “the entire family peace of mind and helping aging loved ones feel more comfortable and confident to live independently.”

Zak Kann, the owner and editor of Smart Geek Home, an online publication helping homeowners choose and troubleshoot smart home products, says the service “allows family caregivers to use Amazon’s Alexa smart assistant to manage their caregiving duties.”

“Some of the benefits of the program include the ability to create to-do lists, set reminders, and make hands-free calls.”

How Much Does the Alexa Together Program Cost?

The cost of the Alexa Together program depends on whether you’re an Amazon Prime member. 

“Alexa Together is free to Amazon Prime members,” Kann said. “But non-Prime members can sign up for a free trial, after which the service costs $19.99/month or $199.00/year.”

What Type of Equipment Do I Need to Run the Alexa Together Caregiving Program?

After enrolling in the Alexa Together program, you need at least one Amazon Echo. The Amazon Echo is a smart speaker that connects to Alexa –– a voice-controlled intelligent personal assistant. 

Plug your loved one’s smart speaker into an outlet and connect it to the internet. You can test it out right away. To make a request, just say “Alexa.” The speaker will then respond.

Pro tip: Amazon recommends placing several smart speakers throughout your loved one’s home. That way, a device is always in range if they fall or need some other type of help.

What Features Does Alexa Together Offer?

The Alexa Together program has various features designed for long-distance caregivers, including:

• A 24/7 Emergency Helpline

• Hands-free calls

• Remote medication reminders

• Remote appointment reminders (i.e., doctor visits, screenings, etc.)

• Fall detection (with compatible sensors)

• Activity detection

You also have the option to create custom alerts. For example, if your loved one has dementia or Alzheimer’s disease and wanders, you can set an alert for any time one of their doors or windows opens. Alexa Together provides an extra line of defense and additional peace of mind.

Can More Than One Person Use Alexa Together?

Yes! The Alexa Together caregiving program has a feature called “Circle of Support.” You can include up to 10 family members or friends in your support circle. Whenever your loved one needs help, everyone on the list receives a text notification. 

Is Alexa Together Compatible With Other Smart Home Devices?

Absolutely. Alexa Together is part of the Alexa ecosystem and easily connects to other smart devices.

For example, if your loved one has mobility issues, a sensor-equipped medicine cabinet can alert you every time they open it. You won’t necessarily be able to see your loved one take the medicine, but the text alerts can remind you to call and check-in. 

Does Amazon’s Alexa Together Service Present Any Security Risks?

Smart devices can make life much easier, but you shouldn’t adopt them blindly.

“Alexa Together can be a great help for caregivers,” Kann said. “It can automate many of the tasks that long-distance caregivers need to do on a daily basis. However, it’s important you do your research and find a smart device that meets your needs.”

“Likewise, it’s important to be aware of privacy settings to ensure that you and your loved one’s personal information is protected.” 

Takeaways

If you enjoy using new technology and are providing long-distance care, enrolling in Amazon’s Alexa Together caregiving service makes a lot of sense. If you have an Amazon Echo device, it makes it easy to keep tabs on your loved one if they live far away, and it's free for Prime members. If you aren't a Prime member, you can sign up for a free trial, after which it will cost $19.99 a month.