My dad, age 97, is currently living in Assisted Living with the least level of assistance (medicine assistance). He is capable of all ADL's but he can't see sufficiently to read or write and has some minor short-term memory issues. This means he can't write a note or see a clock or remember that there is an appointment or activity at a certain time. For years we have used an Amazon Alexa to provide him these alerts - wake-up alarms, reminders that dinner is being served in the dining room, happy hour is starting in the lounge, doctor's appointment in XX minutes, etc. He also uses it to create grocery lists for me (they show up on my phone) as he can't write out a list for me. It gives him a level of independence without having me constantly phone him with reminders.
The Assisted Living facility just sent a note to residents telling them that using an Alexa or similar device in their apartments is not allowed. I currently plan to just ignore this note but wondered if I could fight this rule under the American's with Disabilities Act as he is using it as an assistive device for his disability. Any ADA experts out there that can give me some insight into this?
I'd ask why directly. Maybe contact your area's office on aging, the state agency that governs ALFs/others, etc. See what your rights are in the matter. Maybe even gain support of family members of other residents there who use these things for their loved ones. I'm a Luddite - had no idea these Dot things could be so useful. I bought myself 2 for Christmas...but I have no idea how to use them! (Couldn't resist the price.) Your idea of appealing to the person in charge's IT capabilities is interesting. Don't succumb to tech - get in front of it so it can help other residents. The app is a great idea.
Such an interesting question. Do share the resolution when you have one. Good luck.
Call your state or county agency of the blind and run it by them. If this is a tool he needs to better the quality of his life, then the AL has to allow it. You should have a County Dept of disabilities you can call.
If the wifi is the problem, then ask if he can have private wifi. If he is paying for cable, then he can get wifi.
What privacy violations, then, that we're not all vulnerable to wherever we go?
BTW, I love your idea of having a smart assistant available in every room, using tech that way is a brilliant idea!
Keep us posted as to outcome.
I haven't asked the ALF what their concern is as I plan to keep using it until they specifically ask him to get rid of it. Since they provided no explanation other than "No Alexa or alexa-like devices are allowed" I have no idea what their concerns are. It does run on their building provided wifi but if wifi was a concern they should ban all smart TV's, and streaming media devices which take far more bandwidth. He is in a separate 1 bedroom apartment with full privacy - lock on the door, etc.
The really crazy part is that their new director has a background in Information Technology and I was just getting ready to ask if they could develop an Alexa app that could be used to keep residents informed of activities and menus. I thought an app that residents could query each day on the activities, events and menus of the day would be very helpful. Won't be asking that question now! They post the info in the elevator and at the concierge desk but my dad can't read any of it. I use Alexa to keep him informed.
I've thought about the smart phone idea with it attached to a bluetooth speaker. It could perform the same functions, just in an unnecessarily clumsy manner. Whatever he has it must be voice activated as he is blind.
I'll be following on this discussion.
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