We received many compliments about Don's post regarding LifeLine emergency devices. It's always rewarding to hear from readers. Several suggested that we mention an echo device that responds to the word "Alexa". Yes, indeed that is a great asset as well as a LifeLine.
We have four of them around our little house. When I'm working at my desk and Don is in his room at his computer, I can simply say "Alexa, drop in on Don" and she will ring into his room making our two machines a walkie talkie.
We have given Alexa access to our contacts file. I don't need my phone at all when I am home. I can simply say "Alexa, call Diane Reese" and her cell phone will ring so we can converse. That's convenient....but ever so helpful should we fall or have an emergency without our phone nearby. Yes...she will call 911 at your command. No phone, watch, or Lifeline device necessary.
With
an echo device, you can:
·Set reminders and alerts
for:
o
taking
medication
o
upcoming
appointments
o
paying
bills
o
daily/weekly/monthly
household tasks
o
calling
relatives and friends
o
birthdays
and anniversaries – get Alexa to remind you to send cards and presents in time
o
...and
anything else you need reminding about
·Making hands-free phone
calls if you can't reach the phone
·Setting and controlling
smart home devices like smart heating and smart lighting
·Getting the weather
forecast, latest news, and sports results
·Playing music and listening
to the radio
·Playing games
·Doing shopping online
And much, much more! Some units are fancier with a screen that scrolls through your photos or becomes a Facetime call.
Your Apple Watch is also a source for help.
·
Your Apple Watch calls the emergency
services in your region—for example, 911.
After the call ends, your Apple Watch alerts your emergency
contacts that you made a call and sends them your current location.
·
Press and keep holding the side button
until your Apple Watch beeps and starts a countdown. When the countdown
ends, your Apple Watch calls emergency services. The Apple Watch
beeps even if it’s in silent mode, so if you’re in an emergency situation where
you don’t want to make noise, use the Emergency SOS slider to call emergency
services without a countdown.
If fall detection is enabled and you have been immobile for about a minute after Apple Watch detects a hard fall, it will attempt to make a call to emergency services automatically. See Manage fall detection on Apple Watch.
OR simply say:
“Hey Siri”, Dial 911.
The problem with depending on the watch....do you wear it all the time even in the shower?
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We had a special guest at our Tapas Tuesday event. It was the Wicked Witch of the West who came to remind us of the Wizard of Oz party to be held on Monday September 5 at 4:30 in the ballroom. Please register in Activities for an accurate headcount. This is a free potluck event but please don't bring dessert as a special plate is planned for that. You'll need your own table service and BYOB. Come dressed for the occasion. 😕
We spotted this beauty while doing a house check this morning. She is so colorful!
