Hi, I have a google calendar set up for my Mom where I post appointments and events at her community and her meal schedule. I especially have a problem where the meal schedule is different on the weekend so she misses the meals. I posted signs on the fridge and tv, but she ignores them. At the moment, I call her on Saturday and Sunday at 11am to remind her to go to lunch. However, I still have kid activities plus church so sometimes I miss making the calls. I would like the calendar to talk out loud to speak the google calendar reminders. I have set up her computer next to her chair. But I can't find a software program to do this. At the moment she doesn't have a cell phone since she wasn't using it, but she does know how to use her landline.
I'm wondering:
*Does anyone know a software program that will do this on laptop?
*Or should I get an Android phone since presumably would work with google calendar and then look for a talking app?
*Or should I get something like Alexa? Will it connect to her calendar? Will the facility's weak wifi support it?
This forum looks great, thanks for any help!
I also used an android phone along with google calendar during a period when I couldn't use the Alexa. It worked just fine but the Alexa provides so much more - music, audible books, etc. that it is worth it.
If you look at my posts you'll see that I did have an issue with the assisted living managment not wanting to have any personal assistants in use in resident apartments. I never got a straight answer on why but I did invoke the Fair Housing Act for people with disabilities and they quickly backed down before I had to take any more action than a letter.
The Echo dot with Alexa is so cheap that it would be a good experiment to see if it connects to the wi-fi in the assisted living. If it doesn't work you can always return it. It will be cheaper than having to get a new phone and service for the phone.
But I can understand you want reminders for your Mom. I know there is an ad on TV of a grandson asking Alexa to remind Grand-dad that he has his favorite desert in the refrigerator. Find and dandy since Grand-dad doesn't appear to have Alzheimer's or dementia.
For my own Dad when he was in Independent Living senior facility, I used a very large wall calendar and placed all the appointments that he needed. I do the same for myself. Of course, Dad sometime would forget about the calendar or forget what day it was.... [sigh].
Eventually I moved Dad to the senior facility Assisted Living/Memory Care, where the Staff would go get Dad if he wasn't in the dining area.
(Not meant in a mean way).
An AL would make sure she got to her meals and was reminded od activities. Mom was in a 39 resident AL and they went around reminding residents of the things going on.
I like jmks idea. I would check with her community to find out if echos are allowed.