In today's digital age, the influence of smart technology, such as the Amazon Alexa, extends far beyond mere convenience. These devices can provide social interaction, promote independence help to nature emotional well-being. This holds particular significance for the aging population, especially within the care home setting.
Medical researchers have explored the ways smart technology can enhance the lives of elderly residents in care homes and here are some key quotes and recurring themes from their studies:
Positive aspects of smart technology
Author | Title of article | Key quotes |
Edwards KJ, Jones RB, Shenton D, Page T, Maramba I, Warren A, et al. | The Use of Smart Speakers in Care Home Residents: Implementation Study | “The devices were used mainly for music but also for poetry, recipes, light controls, jokes, and video calls. Care home managers reported the benefits for the residents, including enhanced engagement with home activities, enjoyment, calming effects, and the acquisition of new skills.” |
Chambers R, Beaney P. | The potential of placing a digital assistant in patients’ homes | "With the aid of Alexa, patients report being better able to manage their health conditions and lead more independent lives." |
Balasubramanian GV, Beaney P, Chambers R. | Digital personal assistants are smart ways for assistive technology to aid the health and wellbeing of patients and carers | "Embrace technology as a tool to empower and support health and social care delivery, fostering independence, productivity, and improved quality of life." |
Reflecting on the literature review, it is evident that smart technology devices, such as Amazon's Alexa, can have many benefits for the older generation, specifically those residing in care homes.
In the study by Edwards et al., smart speakers were introduced into care home environments, where they were primarily utilised for activities such as playing music, accessing poetry and recipes, managing light controls, and even making video calls. Care home managers reported several advantages for residents, including heightened engagement in home activities, increased enjoyment, a calming effect, and the acquisition of new skills. This study highlights the diverse role that smart speakers can play in enriching the lives of residents in care facilities, enhancing their quality of life through personalised and interactive experiences.
Similarly, Chambers and Beaney explored the potential of placing digital assistants, such as Alexa, in patients' homes. Their findings revealed that patients reported better management of their health conditions and greater independence with the aid of these digital assistants.
In a broader context, Balasubramanian et al. advocate for the adoption of digital personal assistants as smart tools to aid health and wellbeing for both patients and carers. They emphasise the importance of embracing technology to support health and social care delivery, promoting independence, productivity, and overall quality of life.
Collectively, these studies highlight the transformative potential of smart speakers and digital personal assistants in healthcare settings.
Concerns with smart technology
Common themes | Explanations |
Privacy Concerns | Smart devices, including speakers, are usually connected to the internet and could be prone to hacking, raising serious privacy concerns. |
Technological Competency | Elderly users may struggle with understanding and operating these high-tech gadgets, leading to frustration and less frequent use. |
Cost | The cost of purchasing and maintaining these advanced devices can be substantial. |
Internet Access
| Smart devices require reliable internet access, which may not be available in all care home environments. |
Although smart technology offers numerous advantages to the elderly population in care homes, there are challenges that must be addressed. Connectivity to the internet, essential for the functionality of these devices, raises privacy concerns. Additionally, technical competency poses a hurdle as navigating these advanced gadgets may be confusing for some elderly users, potentially resulting in dissatisfaction and limited usage.
Furthermore, the financial implications of buying and maintaining these devices cannot be overlooked. Finally, the effectiveness of these smart technologies relies heavily on consistent and stable internet connectivity, an aspect that may not be readily accessible in every care home setting, particularly in large, old care homes with many rooms and floors.
In conclusion, it's apparent that smart technology presents a robust solution for addressing various challenges faced by the aging population, particularly those in care homes. While it's true there are notable hurdles, such as privacy concerns, financial strain, and connectivity issues, steps can be taken to overcome these obstacles.
Steps to overcome potential hurdles/concerns:
Hurdles | Solutions |
Privacy Concerns | Display privacy posters around care homes to educate residents and their families about Alexa's use and privacy considerations. These posters empower individuals to make informed decisions regarding their interaction with the device. [Click here to access privacy posters.] |
Technological Competency | Utilise our resource hub, which offers a variety of educational materials, including leaflets, posters, QR code collections, and e-learning modules tailored to different abilities and levels. These resources aim to enhance technological competency and ensure that users feel confident in utilising Alexa. [Click here to explore our resource hub.] |
Cost | Access our FAQs to address concerns about the cost of Alexa and explore external funding opportunities that may provide financial support for implementing the device in care homes. [Click here to access FAQs and funding opportunities.] |
Internet Access
| Explore our FAQs to learn about Wi-Fi connectivity and strategies for overcoming internet access issues. Consider investing in a Wi-Fi router to extend the network coverage within the care home, ensuring reliable connectivity for Alexa and other smart devices. [Click here to access FAQs and learn more about Wi-Fi solutions.] |
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