Open the Alexa app Open 'More' Select 'Settings' Select 'Accessibility' Select 'Adaptive Listening Mode'

Just say, "Alexa, speak slower" or "Alexa, speak faster". Say, "Alexa, speak at your default rate" to return to normal speed.

In the Alexa app, under 'Settings' click 'Photos' Scroll down to the 'Accounts' section and link your preferred photo service Follow the instructions on the screen to link to your preferred photo service

Navigate to 'Settings' Select 'Accessibility' Then click 'Alexa Captioning Preferences' or 'Closed Captioning Preferences' Then adjust the font size slider to your desired settings

Just ask Alexa a question based on your interest and Alexa will answer with information. For example, "Alexa, what's a good mindfulness activity?"

Just hold up a product in front of the Echo Show's camera and ask Alexa to identify it.

In the Alexa app, open 'More' and select 'Reminders' Click on the '+' sign to add a reminder Enter the details you want, including the device you want to announce the reminder

Open the Alexa app Choose 'Devices' Select the '+' button Click 'Add Device' Then follow the on-screen instructions

Open the Alexa app Select 'More' Choose 'Settings' Under 'Alexa Preferences' select 'Music & Podcasts' Click on the '+' sign next to 'Link New Service'

Just say, "Alexa, play my calming playlist" or "Alexa, play white noise".

How to use the calendar

Use your voice to add, move, or delete your calendar events with Alexa. Once you’ve set up an Alexa Voice ID, Alexa will only tell you events relevant to you using these prompts: “Alexa, add an event to my calendar” “Alexa, what’s on my calendar?’” “Alexa, delete [event] from my calendar.”

Open the Alexa app Go to 'Open Devices' Select 'Echo & Alexa' then select your device Under 'Settings', select 'Communications' Drop In and then select which permissions to enable or disable

In the Alexa app, open 'More' and select 'Lists & Notes' Click on the '+' next to ‘Create List’ Name your list and select 'Done' To add items to your list, select your list, and then 'Add Item' Throughout the week you can say “Alexa, add [something] to my list” to keep it updated

Open the Alexa mobile app Select 'More' from the bottom navigation menu Choose 'Routines' from the menu Tap the top right-hand corner (+) to create a customised routine

How to add Ring as a Skill in the Alexa app

Open the Alexa app Tap 'Menu' at the bottom right hand corner Select 'Skills & Games' Type ‘Ring’ into the search field Tap 'Ring' (first result) Select 'Enable To Use'

How Amazon Alexa can help with dementia and caregivers

How Amazon Alexa can help with dementia caregiving

Written by Amazon staff

Discover ways Amazon Alexa may be able to assist you in your role as a carer.

It's estimated that more than 700,000 people in the UK are currently providing unpaid care for someone with dementia.

Research by UK charity Dementia Carers Count found that 71% of unpaid carers lack adequate support, with over a third (36%) describing their role as a 24/7 responsibility.

Alexa can lend a small but meaningful hand through reminders, video check-ins, or routine management tools when resources are limited.

Sam Thompson shares how Alexa can support those with ADHD

Amazon has teamed up with Sam Thompson and the ADHD Foundation to unveil a new guide to support those living with ADHD.

Working with the charity, we have developed a comprehensive guide that highlights key Alexa features, such as Drop In and advanced scheduling tools, to help carers manage daily routines and feel more supported in their role.

The following guide was developed based on insights from focus groups with unpaid carers and expert panels including dementia nursing specialists, clinical psychologists, and counsellors.

Here's how Amazon Alexa can help with dementia caregiving.

Adaptive Listening
With adaptive listening, you have more time to finish speaking before Alexa starts to respond.
How to set this up

Open the Alexa app
Open 'More'
Select 'Settings'
Select 'Accessibility'
Select 'Adaptive Listening Mode'
Speaking Rate
You can ask Alexa to adjust the speaking rate to your preference.
How to set this up

Just say, "Alexa, speak slower" or "Alexa, speak faster". Say, "Alexa, speak at your default rate" to return to normal speed.
Digital Photo Frame
Amazon Echo Show users can use Amazon Photos to turn their device home screen into a digital photo frame with Alexa.
How to set this up

In the Alexa app, under 'Settings' click 'Photos'
Scroll down to the 'Accounts' section and link your preferred photo service
Follow the instructions on the screen to link to your preferred photo service
Font Size
You can increase the font size on your Echo Show.
To increase the font size on an Echo Show device, you'll need to adjust the accessibility settings.
How to set this up

Navigate to 'Settings'
Select 'Accessibility'
Then click 'Alexa Captioning Preferences' or 'Closed Captioning Preferences'
Then adjust the font size slider to your desired settings
General Questions
You can ask Alexa general questions.
How to do this

Just ask Alexa a question based on your interest and Alexa will answer with information. For example, "Alexa, what's a good mindfulness activity?"
Show And Tell
Show And Tell is an accessibility feature that identifies common pantry items and other things using the Echo Show's camera.
How to do this

Just hold up a product in front of the Echo Show's camera and ask Alexa to identify it.
Reminders
Alexa reminders can be used as helpful audio or visual nudges throughout the day. Users can set reminders for appointments, meals, hydration, or daily routines.
How to do this

In the Alexa app, open 'More' and select 'Reminders'
Click on the '+' sign to add a reminder
Enter the details you want, including the device you want to announce the reminder
Smart Plugs
Amazon Smart Plugs work with Alexa to add voice control to any electrical socket.
Schedule lights, coffee machines, and other appliances to turn on and off automatically, or control them remotely when you're away through the Alexa app.
How to set this up

Open the Alexa app
Choose 'Devices'
Select the '+' button
Click 'Add Device'
Then follow the on-screen instructions
Playlists
You can create custom playlists of videos, podcasts, or songs focused on memories or interests.
You will need to have a music streaming service account for this feature.
How to set this up

Open the Alexa app
Select 'More'
Choose 'Settings'
Under 'Alexa Preferences' select 'Music & Podcasts'
Click on the '+' sign next to 'Link New Service'
Music And Sounds
Use Alexa to play music, podcasts, or ambient sounds whilst noisy appliances are being used.
You can also play white noise to relax.
Background sounds can help mask potentially distressing noises from appliances and create a calming atmosphere.
How to do this

Just say, "Alexa, play my calming playlist" or "Alexa, play white noise".
Calendar
Use the calendar to visually organise tasks and activities on Alexa screens or via voice prompts.
How to use the calendar

Use your voice to add, move, or delete your calendar events with Alexa. Once you’ve set up an Alexa Voice ID, Alexa will only tell you events relevant to you using these prompts:
“Alexa, add an event to my calendar”
“Alexa, what’s on my calendar?’”
“Alexa, delete [event] from my calendar.”
Drop In
Alexa’s Drop In feature works like an intercom to allow instant, two-way conversations between compatible Alexa-enabled devices within the home or with designated contacts who have granted permission.
How to do this

Open the Alexa app
Go to 'Open Devices'
Select 'Echo & Alexa' then select your device
Under 'Settings', select 'Communications'
Drop In and then select which permissions to enable or disable
Shopping Lists
Add items to shopping lists with your voice but keep a record on your phone via the Alexa app and tick off products on the go!
How to set this up

In the Alexa app, open 'More' and select 'Lists & Notes'
Click on the '+' next to ‘Create List’
Name your list and select 'Done'
To add items to your list, select your list, and then 'Add Item'
Throughout the week you can say “Alexa, add [something] to my list” to keep it updated
Alexa Routines
Alexa Routines streamline daily tasks by combining multiple Alexa commands into a single, automated sequence of actions that can be triggered with one command.
Think of them like personalised shortcuts, so you don’t have to ask for each action individually e.g. you could say “Alexa, goodnight” to have Alexa turn off your smart home lights, set your alarm, and activate white noise for sleep.
How to set this up

Open the Alexa mobile app
Select 'More' from the bottom navigation menu
Choose 'Routines' from the menu
Tap the top right-hand corner (+) to create a customised routine
Ring Integration
You can connect your Amazon Echo Show to your Ring device and use Alexa voice commands to do the following (and more):
- Receive instant alerts that someone is at your front door
- See who is at your door through Live View feed
- Speak to visitors using Two Way Talk
How to add Ring as a Skill in the Alexa app

Open the Alexa app
Tap 'Menu' at the bottom right hand corner
Select 'Skills & Games'
Type ‘Ring’ into the search field
Tap 'Ring' (first result)
Select 'Enable To Use'

Amazon Echo and Alexa: What are the differences and how do they work?

The Amazon Echo smart speaker and the Alexa voice assistant are the start of smart living.

Find out more on the Dementia Carers Count website.

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