Our Life Enrichment Directors, who manage all activities and outings for our residents, are a fountain of information. They have a repertoire of musical selections, jokes on hand, trivia to share, and a wealth of knowledge about the lives of each of our residents. It is no less than impressive. But now, with the help of Alexa in our communities, they are unstoppable.
Aegis Living has placed Echo devices in each of our assisted living and memory care communities. These are used throughout the day during Life Enrichment programming particularly, as well as by staff and residents. The myriad of facts, figures, information, names, current events, and music are never further away than your voice—“Alexa!” Life Enrichment Directors know that to keep the rapt attention of this older generation, some with cognitive impairment, can be fleeting. No one wants to watch an opportunity go by, especially when you can engage with a resident, remind them of a fond memory, or bring a little joy to their day.
For those of you who may not know, Alexa is the software behind the Amazon devices such as Echo. The Echo itself is a speaker with a built-in microphone. If you call out “Alexa,” the device is ready to answer, in real time, a question or command that follows. It does not rely on voice recognition, so anyone is able to use it.
The goal of our Life Enrichment Program is to nurture the mind, body, and spirit of our residents. We find that Alexa is a great tool to support our staff in their efforts to do so. The immediacy of information is what makes the difference in our activities. There are no gaps. We can quickly build on an idea or find out more information to keep the conversation going within seconds.
“When we have gaps in our programs we lose the energy and opportunity,” according to Chris Corrigall, Aegis Living’s Vice President of Life Enrichment. “Alexa is an important vehicle for engagement and sharing ideas, allowing our Life Enrichment team to spend more time with our residents.”
Music is also an integral part of our Life Enrichment program. Music is a valuable part of our lives, no matter our age. Music has been known to open a pathway to a person’s life and unlock memories. Having access to music on demand with Alexa can instantly bring a room to life. Whether it’s Big Band, Swing, Cole Porter, George Gershwin or Pachelbel Canon in D, there is an amazing connection that sparks long term memories of amazing moments and events in their lives.
Alexa is an excellent resource for seniors needing assisted living and memory care. We find that many assisted living seniors like to use Alexa for current events, while it makes a great tool to reminisce for our memory care residents. And we have found it particularly beneficial for those with visual impairments, who don’t need to read to use the device.
“Our residents lose the ability sometimes to recall people, places, and things throughout the day,” said Corrigall. “Alexa is on hand at the moment to help them through these struggles and reconnect them with memories.”
Alexa is quick to tell a joke, play 20 questions, report the weather, guide a class through meditation, or produce facts about the day, like famous birthdays, on this day in history, or #1 song on the charts in a particular year. The technology itself is only a few years old. New features are being added and automatically updated every week, so we are learning new and exciting ways to use this tool within each community. The future of how Alexa will be used within our assisted living communities is continuously evolving and growing. Aegis Living is so pleased with the technology that they will be adding an additional device to each community in Washington, California, and Nevada. The ultimate goal is to have an Alexa-enabled device in every apartment.
For a generation that did not grow up using as much technology as current generations, this voice app makes it easy for them to engage with technology. Senior residents have adapted to using it very quickly. Alexa has seamlessly integrated into our programs throughout the day.
Residents are amazed at the endless amount of information that Alexa can share. They try, but they can’t often stump her for facts and trivia. One of our residents likes to ask about the score of the upcoming baseball game. And more often, than not, Alexa seems to get close or guess the score correctly.
Alexa has been a useful asset to our assisted living and memory care communities, but it can also help the caregiver at home. Alexa can be programmed to remind a caregiver to give their parent medication at a certain time each day. The device can answer simple questions about what time it is or the weather in a pleasant manner for those seniors who are forgetful. And if you care for a loved one with dementia who is repetitive, Alexa will happily answer a question over and over again with the same correct answer which can give a caregiver a break. It is also helpful for the elderly with mobility issues because it will obey commands such as turning off a light in a room or adjusting the temperature on the thermostat with only the sound of their voice. It is an intelligent companion for many caregivers at home who need more support.
If your mom or dad can no longer live on their own, contact an Aegis Living community near to you to take a tour. We are happy to show you everything we have to offer your parent. And you can see Alexa in action for yourself!
Respite Stays & Day Stays give family caregivers a real break—hours, days, or a few weeks—while your loved one enjoys a safe, enriching short‑term home at Aegis Living. Guests settle into a beautifully furnished private apartment and have 24/7 care staff and onsite nurses, medication management, and discreet safety technology (motion sensors, medical‑alert pendants, visitor check‑in) for peace of mind. Each day feels purposeful with chef‑prepared, all‑day dining and 200+ monthly activities—from book clubs and fitness classes to movie nights—plus full use of the community. We coordinate with your loved one’s physicians to mirror their routines and care, so the stay feels familiar. It’s also a smart trial run for senior living: meet neighbors, test services, and see what supported independence looks like—without a long‑term commitment. Choose a Respite Stay when you’re traveling or need time to recharge, when your loved one would benefit from structure, social connection, and great meals, or when you both want peace of mind while keeping options open.
Hospice & End‑of‑Life Care at Aegis Living is comfort‑first support for the final stage of life, delivered in your loved one’s private apartment by our 24/7 care team in coordination with a trusted local hospice provider you choose (or we can recommend). Together, we create a coordinated care plan that manages pain and other symptoms, oversees medications, and provides calm, dignified help with daily needs, while offering compassionate emotional support for both resident and family. Discreet safety measures and a reliable medical‑alert system bring help quickly; chef‑prepared, in‑apartment meals adapt to changing appetites. Families are guided through decisions and moments of closure so they can focus on being present in a peaceful, home‑like setting. If your loved one already lives at Aegis, they can remain in the comfort of their home, avoiding disruptive moves. Choose this level of care when curative treatment is no longer the goal and you want expert symptom control, hands‑on daily support, and a setting that protects dignity and prioritizes comfort, meaning, and time together.
Memory Care is specialized, secure support for people living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias who benefit from a calm, structured environment and round‑the‑clock expertise. At Aegis Living, that care happens in Life’s Neighborhood—an intimate, thoughtfully designed setting where 24/7 dementia‑trained caregivers and a nursing team on site seven days a week deliver personalized help with daily living, medication management, and mobility (including Hoyer lifts and two‑person transfers), while gently redirecting agitation and confusion. Days are purpose‑filled with science‑based cognitive programming, certified music therapy, and social activities; chef‑prepared meals are easy to enjoy and dining spaces and cues are designed for memory support. Discreet safety features like secured entrances, emergency pendants with fall detection, and optional motion sensors, prevent wandering and bring peace of mind, and visiting physicians and wellness professionals reduce trips off‑site. Families receive education and ongoing support. If your loved one is unsafe alone, missing medications, wandering, needs frequent cueing or hands‑on help with bathing or dressing, or thrives with a predictable routine, Memory Care offers the right level of care. For milder needs, our transitional Assisted Living can be a first step; for advancing symptoms, secured Memory Care provides the specialized, heartfelt support to help them feel calm, connected, and at home.