Sunday (April 7) marks World Health Day and on this day, we can't overlook the role that technology has played in helping us move towards a healthy lifestyle. This is true, especially for the elderly and people with disabilities. We can't even imagine how crucial a role technology has played in their lives. Right from setting alarms for their medications to giving them dietary recommendations. What has further helped them and made their lives even easier are virtual assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Nest.
Such smart devices have turned out to be a game-changer in the lives of elderly and disabled people. They facilitate the management of daily tasks, heighten productivity, foster smoother mornings, and enhance overall well-being. Simple commands such as "Alexa/Google switch on the geyser at 8:30 AM,” “Alexa/Google, remind me to take my medicines at 9:00 PM every night,” and more have become an inseparable part of their routines. On this occasion, let us think of a few more ways in which we could help these people and teach them a few more uses of such virtual assistants.
Innovative Ways To Use Virtual Assistants For The Elderly & Disabled
Informative sights on nutrition: Nest/Alexa acts as a valuable tool in encouraging healthier living by providing a wide range of resources and advice. It offers access to recipes, suggests healthier ingredient alternatives, and provides calorie counts and nutritional facts, making it a hub for health-related information. Users can simply ask questions like "Alexa/Google, how many calories are in a paratha?" or "Alexa/Google, share Avacado recipes" to make informed dietary decisions. Additionally, users can set reminders to stay hydrated by saying, "Alexa/Google, remind me to drink water every hour," ensuring they maintain optimal water intake throughout the day.
Help users have a consistent workout schedule: Virtual assistants provide exercise suggestions and handpicked workout playlists sourced from multiple music providers, injecting diversity and encouragement into physical activity routines. Users can ask for brief workout sessions, schedule timers for specific exercises such as planks, and engage in yoga using different skills. For instance, simply say, "Google/Alexa, suggest a beginner Surya Namaskar yoga pose," "Google/Alexa, set a timer for three minutes" for a plank, or "Google/Alexa, play my workout playlist."
- Help in managing stress and mental well-being: The elderly often experience isolation and loneliness, especially when their families live far away. To address this, users can utilise meditation and mindfulness tools like the Audible sleep series by asking Google/Alexa simple commands such as "Google/Alexa, help me sleep by playing soft melodious songs." By saying "Google/Alexa, play guided meditation" or “Google/Alexa, play healing sounds,” individuals can create a tranquil atmosphere at bedtime, aiding in the development of a consistent sleep schedule.
Strengthen connections and bring loved ones closer: Virtual assistants help users maintain connections and engage socially with friends and family, which contributes to their mental well-being. By issuing commands like “Google/Alexa, open Uno” or “Google/Alexa, play Tic Tac Toe,” users can enjoy entertaining games with their loved ones, fostering quality bonding time. Additionally, it allows users to use screen devices to video call elderly relatives by saying “Google/Alexa, video call grandma,” reducing feelings of isolation and promoting a sense of belonging and social interaction, which positively impacts their mental and emotional health.
On World Health Day, it's important to acknowledge the collaborative potential of technology in enhancing people's health and lifestyles, catering to their various needs and preferences.