Apartment Visit - Finding a spot and plugging in Alexa
We recommended asking the resident for a preferred location, assuming they know about Alexa. If they do not, we recommend asking the resident where they spend the most time and choosing a central location where the screen can be regularly viewed, and the device is accessible by voice.
Tip: Kitchen and living rooms tend to be the best locations as they are the most traffic areas.
If WiFi is weak, we recommend placing the device towards the hallway or the strongest signal spot.
We do not recommend plugging the device in an outlet that is controlled by a light switch (E.g., the plug will only turn on when the switch is turned) or in an outlet that is frequently used by housekeeping.
Who hands out the Alexa devices?
Onsite community team members are responsible for the distribution of devices. The devices come preconfigured and assigned to rooms. The room number is labeled on top of the device box. Speak2 will train community staff members on how to plug in the device and demonstrate best practices, but onsite team members are visiting individual residents and plugging in the device.
Select at least two staff members to distribute the devices. The person best suited depends on the community. Often it is an activities team member, community engagement, or other influencer that residents are comfortable having in their apartments and speaking with.
Note: Often, communities will default to maintenance or “tech” staff to help with this task because Alexa is something that is plugged in or viewed as a technical item. This is not the case. While that staff may be perfectly suited to help, it should not be assumed that because Alexa is plugged in, it requires maintenance or defaults to that role. No technical or maintenance experience is required. The only task is to plug the device into an outlet and demonstrate to residents a few ways to use their new Alexa. It is the demonstration that should be emphasized, not the plugging in.
Some tips on first demonstrating Alexa.
- Alexa is like a clock radio you can talk to. This is one of our favorite analogies! Explain that Alexa is like a clock radio, but you can ask her questions, and she can share important information back to you.
- The privacy doc is a great document to share if they are concerned about security. The devices are set up on Amazon’s Alexa for Senior Living platform, providing an anonymized experience. There is no Amazon account, email, phone number, or credit card attached to the device.
- Show them a few things they really enjoy - music, favorite trivia, crossword spelling help, sports team.
- If someone already has an Alexa or Echo, we can change the wake word of our managed one to Echo, Amazon, or Computer.
- Visit our FAQs to see more commonly asked questions on Alexa.
How do I know when Alexa is ready?
Once you plug in the device, Alexa will take a minute or two to power up. Wait for Alexa to fully come online. You will know it is ready when it is displaying the time and weather.
Demonstrate a few key features that the resident may like - their favorite music station, setting an important reminder with them, calling the Front Desk, or asking a trivia fact about their favorite movie.
Tip: Make a mistake in front of the resident. Often the best moment in our Speak2 workshops is when Alexa doesn't respond properly. It gives us the opportunity to tell the residents that even experts that work with Alexa every day make mistakes, or sometimes Alexa just doesn’t work as expected. That is OK! Just try again. Seeing the mistake removes the vulnerability that “everyone is good at technology but me”.
Finally, execute a few phrases WITH the resident. Have them ask for the weather or time and let them experience success.
Below are some common things you will experience when a resident first uses Alexa:
|
ACTION |
RESPONSE |
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Politeness and extra words that confuse Alexa or make it stop listening. |
Tell them that they did great, but Alexa is a robot and works best with commands, like a pet. “Alexa roll over” or “Alexa, sit!” if it were a dog. Talk to Alexa the same way. “Alexa, what is the weather!” Alexa doesn’t understand please, and thank you, it’s a robot. |
|
They speak too slowly and Alexa doesn’t respond or understand |
Try working with the handouts and demonstrate that the statements are definitive and clear, and that they are the boss! |
|
They will slur and join “Alexa” with the other words, and Alexa will miss the point. |
An example would be “Alexa whats the time” is different from “Alexa, what’s the time?”. Alexa needs to hear her name, then wakes up to listen to what is needed. If you start your command before she is listening, she won’t hear the first few words. |
|
They are saying Alexis or Alex instead of Alexa. |
The device will only listen to the wake word, ‘Alexa’ it will not respond to Alexis or Alex. Even if they are aware the name is Alexa, it’s a natural error to say Alex or Alexis the first few times. If they do, remind them her name is Alexa, she is very picky about her name and to try asking again. |
What happens when I leave the apartment?
Making sure the resident is comfortable is key. They should have their playbook or some leave-behind documents to review and try on their own. We have experienced success by encouraging the resident to try a few specific things and letting them know that you will be available to help.
Most importantly, they just try.
Printing
Speak2 will provide materials for distribution to residents during the device distribution. The Resident Packet will have introductory materials, notes about privacy and sample uses for residents to review.
Materials should be printed prior to any workshops or device distribution.