Using an Echo Show remotely to support elderly parents who struggle with tech?

[TeenToTwenties]

I asked on the tech board about a screen for my parents and the response was 'Echo Show'.

*My parents don't really 'do' tech, can barely manage an emergency dumb mobile phone.

So my question here is, does anyone use an echo show remotely to help elderly parents? eg to send visible messages, set reminders etc?

The idea is that initially at least the screen would be dumb (or maybe just used to acknowledge / turn off a message) with me putting things onto it from afar. Camera off, microphone off.

Then if it was useful / when they got used to it, we might be able to use it to show me things (like bruises or letters), or to set medicine reminders etc.

It needs to be used in a way they don't need to fiddle with it / accidentally screw up the settings.

So does anyone do this? If so any comments on model, usage, difficulties, etc etc?

I can’t comment on the Show but my grandma had a basic Alexa that she used to turn lights on and call her daughter (who lived next door). She was still using it at age 100!

That's fab.
My DF's short term memory isn't what it was, and DM's general health not great, so my desire is to introduce something easy / zero effort for them both, so they get used to it, and then if it happens to have additional useful features they can be added on gently.

We had a Komp, which was very basic and straightforward. Might be too basic for you, but have a look if you haven't already.

Just had a look, shocked at the price!

I have an Alexa and have been considering getting one for my elderly parents [ who like yours aren't tech savvy at all ]. But I have no idea how to work this. I have tried looking on amazon to work it out, but still none the wiser.

From reading so far, we would set it up linked to our account.
Then we can use 'sticky notes' or 'photo mode' to send things onto it.

Going to a shop some time this week to see if they can shed light.
(May buy one anyway to try at home so we don't get left behind in the tech world.)

I have an echo show but I’m pretty sure you can only communicate with it when on the WiFi network eg I can’t change the alarm settings when I’m at the pub and remember, I have to do it at home. It’s pretty intuitive and you can bark requests at it, mine plays photos in rotation when not being used. I use the shopping list function, you can just add things to the list when you think of them, then the list is on the app at the shop, might be too complicated though my nearly 80 year old dad uses all kinds of technology without issue, it’s not an age thing it’s a mindset

Completely non tech MIL used Alexa to read audiobooks to her, play radio, play music turn on and off lights ask questions, for a drop in when she was in hospital she had a screen version then but was so well used to using the Echo dot that she was well able to use it.

That would be a deal breaker, so will definitely need to check that!

It's a lot easier to use than normal tech because you just talk to it, so are you sure that they wouldn't be able to cope with using it themselves to set reminders? Even without the screen Alexa can ring an alarm and say 'take your medication' at the appropriate time.

My parents have one and it's really handy as they can say 'Alexa call noblegiraffe' and it phones me and they talk to me through it rather than having to hold a phone, as well as all the music and audiobook stuff.

Thanks @noblegiraffe I think the thing is they will be averse to it and won't want to talk to it, phone me with it etc (they are 96 and 89 and have had a lot of changes to cope with over the past couple of years already).

So my thought is, if I can install it as a helpful but 'dumb' screen we could then expand the features later as they get more confident or need increases.

So the big question: Could I remotely cast messages onto it via an app or an alexa device in our own home, or do i have to be there?

Your parents sound very difficult!

I think you could set up a shared google calendar that you could add their appointments to remotely from your phone that is also linked to their Alexa. Their Alexa would then announce the reminders from the calendar to them. I don't know if it could put it on the screen.

No they are lovely, just scared of tech, and don't have the elasticity of brain to take in new stuff very well these days.

For example Dad can use his trusty lathe and drills just fine, but struggles to remember turn off the hob after use. Mum knows which of all the filing drawers any paperwork is in, but is just too tired to focus on new things.

I think it sounds worth a go though, so next step is go to a shop to look at some.

It sounds like there are cognitive issues and I suspect that this type of reminder system will not work. Even if they see the reminder, they may quickly forget it.

Unfortunately there is no way to guarantee your parents will not fiddle with it. Even if you manage to restrict their access in some way, you have said they don't like new things so they may simply unplug or move it. People with memory issues often have an aversion to 'new things which shouldn't be there'.

Sorry to sound negative but we tried various pieces of tech for my mother and she didn't respond to any of them, she would ignore or remove them. I lived a long distance away and there was an awkward stage where she needed help but wasn't quite ready for carers. It became a lot easy when she had daily carers, as they could do the reminding (and a lot of other things!)

@catofglory I must have given the wrong impression (or maybe I am in denial but I don't think so). They aren't too bad on the whole but I'd like to get a little more tech in now and work up if needed.

I just picked up on you mentioning short term memory problems, needing reminders and not liking new tech. I hope you'll let us know how they get on with the Echo.

It is tricky to explain the nuance!

I will update if we go ahead.

Yes, we use an Echo Show, after seeing friends use it very successfully with elderly parents. We're still getting the hang of it, but the "drop in" feature is great as I can pop in to talk to Dad without him having to work out how to answer the call. He won't use a mobile so we can't do video WhatsApp calls etc. It was a useful way to check on him when left alone. Even though he couldn't move to face the screen, the Echo Show heard where his voice was coming from and zoomed in on the back of his head, and we had a good chat. To use this it seems the devices have to all be registered on the same Alexa account, so you have the app on your phone and add the Echo Show. Even if you're at your home and they're at theirs, you can still "drop in" on them.
We have medication reminders and alarms set up which can be done remotely. I think we'll use it a lot more in future as we get the hang of it.
I wouldn't worry too much about fiddling with it as it's quite difficult to alter the settings from the home screen. There is a privacy button which turns off camera/mic so you need to know where that is and for them to know how to use it, or not to touch it if they don't mind!

To clarify re calling, I think other people who are your contacts can make a video call to you on an Echo Show, which you can decide whether or not to answer. But to just "drop in", the devices need to all be signed in to the same Alexa account.

Or you need to click ‘Allow drop-ins’ on the contact settings from both Alexa accounts.

@TeenToTwenties I meant to say ‘tricky’ rather than ‘difficult’ when describing your parents, I didn’t mean it as an insult, I’m sure they’re lovely! But my parents have benefited massively from technology, particularly ones with voice activation so it would be a massive pain if they were averse to new gadgets!

Or you need to click ‘Allow drop-ins’ on the contact settings from both Alexa accounts.

We weren't able to make this work, despite being very techy - and many others on forums had the same issue. But if you can keep all the devices on the same Alexa account, that seems to always work.

Ooh, what were your issues? I can drop in on my parents from my Alexa account but it seems to cut off after a minute or so, which is fine because they call me back. I thought it was me!

My mother has only recently
lost
her speech but for about 5 years we used Alexa for mum. She could “drop in” on us when she wanted and we set it to control
her lights and tv so she could voice control everything. It’s brilliant. I’d highly recommend.

Komp is expensive, but has worked well for my mum, who is a complete technophobe. We can give access via the app to friends and family. Anyone with access can send her photos or messages, or facetime her. It is completely passive from her end, just one on/off/volume knob. When it's switched on she can see a camera roll of photos and messages. She was VERY opposed to it, but really likes it now.

It just wouldn't ring it connect at all. On forums I found plenty of others who had the same issue and who never managed to solve it. But as long as all devices are logged into one account, it's great.