In my initial rush to upload the posts I’d written when I was deciding to do this blog, I realized I’d forgotten to tell about the various ways I’m using technology to help me care for Jim on a daily basis.

In 2017 a friend and I were talking about his fascination with the new-fangled voice assistants and how he’d purchased both Amazon Alexa/Echo and Google Home to check them out and see what they’re capable of. At the time I thought they were fun toys but didn’t see much of a practical application for them.

Fast forward to 2018. I decided I needed to start finding ways to make the house safer for Jim as his Dementia was progressing to a point where I was going to need some help. I looked at both the Amazon and Google platforms and decided that in the end, they were somewhat equal. The only thing that made one appeal more than another was the associated subscriptions that helped you get the most out of your system. I already had Spotify and Amazon Prime. Google had teamed up with other services such as Chromecast. I wasn’t about to buy additional subscriptions for duplicate services so I decided on the Amazon System.

I bought an Amazon Echo Dot and immediately put it to work because at the same time I purchased 4 Wi-Fi plugs that could be controlled by my voice through Alexa. Advantage to the Amazon Dot, it had a stereo jack that allowed me to use my speaker system instead of the rather tinny speakers that came within the Echo Dot.

By the time the day was done. I’d created an 8 hour playlist on Spotify of Jim’s favourite music that Jim could easily cue by saying, “Alexa, Play Jim’s Motown on Spotify”. At the time, I was still working full time and Jim would spend all afternoon thinking and grow rather morose (seriously the man never has happy thoughts when he’s by himself). Having the music only a quick command away meant that he’d spend afternoons out on the deck, listening to old tunes which brought back good memories.

We also use the Echo to play soothing playlists at bedtime. I’m partial to piano music so ‘Piano in the Background’ and ‘Peaceful Piano’ are two of my favourites. You can ask Alexa to set a sleep timer and the music will stop after your requested interval so you can slip peacefully off into dreamland.

Alexa also has a shopping list function. When either of us realize we’re almost out of something and want to add it to the shopping list. We simply say, “Alexa, add milk to the shopping list.” she confirms the item and then I can access the shopping list on my phone when we’re at the store. This has been extremely helpful since Jim’s hands are shaking enough that he doesn’t like to write anymore.

I also installed the Wi-Fi plugs and interfaced them with Alexa. We have two lamps in our living room which we usually turn on around sunset and turn off when we go to bed. Jim is usually the one who goes through the darkened room to deal with the lamps and has often stumbled over the coffee table or chair along the way. Using the Wi-Fi plugs, I’ve programmed both lights to come on at sunset and go off at 10 pm. No traipsing around a dark room anymore.

Added bonus, I can simply ask Alexa to turn on living room light 1 or 2 and she’ll do it. At Christmas, I plugged the tree into one of the Wi-Fi plugs I labelled Christmas Tree. Now, all I need to do is say, “Alexa, turn on the Christmas Tree” and the tree lights come on. No more climbing under the tree looking for the outlet 🙂

Bonus #2, When we went away for the weekend, programming Alexa to turn lights on and off was so much simpler than the various timer plugs we’ve collected over the years. Plus – I can control them all from my phone from anywhere.

Since then, I’ve purchased two more of the Amazon Echo line.

I have the Echo Show, which has a small screen which gives me voice and video access to the Ring doorbell at our front door. Plus I can drop in from my phone to see what’s happening at home (this is so important as Jim declines).

I also have the Amazon Flex with motion detector by my front door/foot of the stairs that will alert me when I’m sleeping upstairs if someone is moving around downstairs overnight. Since night-time wandering is an issue with a large percentage of dementia patients, I figured this was a good idea to have sooner than later.