My Carer is a skill for Alexa that sets up a routine for people living with early stage dementia. Its function not only reminds them what to do, but also guides them, step by step, until they’ve accomplished their daily tasks. From reminding them on how to take the medication, to how to prepare their lunch. The skill asks them if they’ve completed their task, and if not, it will remind them to do it once and once again, until the task is finished.

Therefore, it uses Alexa voice notifications as if it were a caregiver. It directs to the person by their name and uses a friendly tone of voice without rushing them.

What you will listen is an example of journey between a person living with early stage dementia and My Carer. However, we recommend viewing the full case study to understand better how it works.

Note to the jury:

The following is not a radio script, is an example of the user journey of a person living with early-stage dementia and an Alexa device using My Carer skill.

This is a journey example for one of the multiple tasks they can customize: ‘Take your medication’ task.

Once the user has written down all what they need for completing this task, at the time scheduled, the interactive guidance starts.

It looks an easy task for us, but for a person living with early stage dementia, the simplest task becomes the most difficult one.

Script ‘Take your medication’:

Alexa:

This is a reminder from ‘My Carer’, to start say ‘Alexa, open My Carer’

Jennifer (person living with dementia):

Alexa, open My Carer

Alexa:

Hi Jennifer, it’s time for your medication. Do you know where to find it?

Jennifer (person living with dementia):

No

Alexa:

Your medication is in the dining room table, it’s a yellow box. I’ll give you some time to go and get it.

After a customizable period of time, Alexa speaks to them again.

Alexa:

Hi Jennifer. Did you get your medication?

Jennifer (person living with dementia):

Yes.

Alexa:

Well done.

There are 850,000 people with dementia in the UK, with tendencies raising to 1 million by 2025.

For those who are in the early stages of the disease, staying independent is paramount. But they struggle to deal with their daily routine. They write down notes on post-its, diaries and lists to remind them what to do. But this is ineffective as they forget to look at them, or to complete all the steps any daily task needs.

Taking their medicine or lunch preparation are the most common examples. Relatives can support them occasionally, but they also have their own life. A full-time carer could be a solution, but it’s not affordable for the majority.

My Carer is the result of data collected from research and co-design supported by Alzheimer’s Society. It’s free and works for any Alexa device.

Patient’s data is collected and used to support Alzheimer’s Society to understand the needs of people with dementia. As a research tool, it can determine how long it takes for a patient to reply, how much the skill is repeating instructions, etc. This data could help to tailor the skill thanks to AI and also allow researchers to study behaviour and cognitive functions.

On the article ‘Dementia kit: tech leads the charge to protect people’s independence’ Financial Times recognizes that apps like My Carer, could save the UK £100bn in the next 15 years. Repurposing Alexa as a health and research tool, not only has direct impact in the people living with dementia, but also, in the healthcare system and in the economy.