Personal assistants like Amazon Echo or Google Home can be beneficial for elderly individuals as they provide a range of features that can make daily tasks easier and more convenient. Some potential uses of these devices for the elderly include:

1. Voice-activated control of home devices: Elderly individuals with limited mobility can use personal assistants to control various devices in their homes, such as lights, thermostats, and locks, without having to physically move around.
2. Reminders and medication management: Personal assistants can be programmed to provide reminders for medication schedules, doctor appointments, and other important events, which can be helpful for elderly individuals with memory problems.
3. Virtual companionship: Personal assistants can be programmed to engage in conversations, play music, tell stories, and even play games, which can provide a sense of companionship and reduce social isolation for elderly individuals living alone.
4. Assistance with tasks: Personal assistants can help with tasks like setting timers, making phone calls, and ordering groceries, which can be especially useful for elderly individuals who may have difficulty with these tasks.
5. Emergency assistance: Personal assistants can be used to call for emergency services, such as an ambulance, police or a family member in case of an emergency, providing added safety and security.

Overall, personal assistants like Amazon Echo or Google Home can be valuable tools for elderly individuals, especially those who may have mobility or cognitive limitations. However, it's important to ensure that the device is set up correctly and that the individual knows how to use it safely and effectively.

Resilient Life Technologies can integrate personal assistant devices with smart home devices and our Ambient Assisted Living application to provide voice control, safety and security for you or your loved ones aging-in place. Contact us with questions or more information on how we can help you or your loved one remain living independent at home potentially avoiding or delaying the high costs of an assisted living facility or home health care.

Marlin is a co-founder of Resilient Life Technologies, LLC, an Oklahoma company that provides Ambient Assisted Living solutions for seniors and people with disabilities that desire to remain living independently in their homes.