Alexa can help you nurse them back to health

With coronavirus numbers on the rise and flu season beginning, you might have a patient at home to take care of.

Alexa can help you keep tabs on your loved one—and let them ask you for more medicine or another cup of tea—while reducing contact and the chance that you’d get sick, too. 

In fact, my friend is using it right now to care for her husband who had knee surgery.

He just has to say, “Alexa, announce that I need a glass of water,” and Alexa alerts her and her daughters so someone can come and help him out.

4 Pro Tips to set up your sick room

1. Place your Echos wisely. Make sure your patient has one right beside them (and perhaps in the bathroom, too), and place other Echos in the rooms where you’re more likely to be. (Keep your smartphone handy so they can also reach you via the Alexa app!)

2. Name your Echos so they’re easy to remember. Name them after the room they’re in, so your patient can just say,”Alexa, drop in on the living room.”  Tap/click here for tips on naming your Echos.

3.Make sure they understand the different commands.  “Announce” sends a message to all the Echos in the house, while “Drop In” lets you have a two-way conversation with them (on video, too, if you’re using an Echo Show and/or the Alexa app). That’s great if you want to chat with them while minimizing exposure.

4. Add smart lights or plugs. That lets them turn on and off lights, humidifiers or other appliances without getting out of bed.