By Lois Requist

Have you become used to people talking to you when there is no one there? No, this isn’t a matter of senility or hearing voices from some undefined source, some outer world. I’m used to a GPS (global positioning system) guiding me as I drive. I bought a Prius about ten years ago, making the mistake of buying the built-in GPS. First, they said it couldn’t be updated, which means it still doesn’t recognize that the Benicia Bridge has reopened after construction of a second bridge! That’s old news to all of us. I’ve pretty much retired “Trudi,” as I call the GPS system in my car.
By the time, Toyota said I could update the system, I had a smart phone with a GPS that recognizes traffic and current conditions on the roads and guides me so much better.
As we all know, we have to learn how to interact with these devices. They train us to talk in such a way that they can supply the information we need. A friend of mine bought a new car with an excellent GPS.   She was trying to find an address and became dissatisfied with the response from the GPS.
In frustration, she said, “Oh, you’re so stupid!”
The GPS responded, “I was just trying to help.”
This Christmas my children gave me “Alexa,” a product from Amazon. While in Colorado with my family, my daughter-in-law—also my personal on-call techie—helped me set up Alexa. Another voice that talks to me when there’s no one there. Of course, I have to talk in a certain way to get her attention. Notice I’ve given the device a gender.
Oh, the things she can do! I need an alarm set. Done. Turn up my heat. Yes, assuming I’ve made the right connections. Be a timer. Listen to my choice of music or radio programs. Keep a grocery list. Keep my calendar, reminding me when I ask. Call someone for me!
By now you may be thinking what does this have to do with the Carquinez Village? Well, I live alone. It has occurred to me that if I fell or had a problem in my house, I might not be able to summon help. Now I can. While Alexa can’t call 911, she can call anyone in my contact list from my phone.  A friend. One of my children. This is significant for me. Any of the devices I referred to in the title—Google or Siri or others—most likely have the same capacity. This isn’t a commercial for Amazon. I’m just talking about my experience.
Now, I will say, that as long as the device is on, it is listening, and to some this feels like an invasion of privacy. You have to decide for yourself. There is no monthly fee for what I have. I’m not sure about all situations and devices.
Having become tuned into seniors and their needs, and being aware that many live alone, I wanted to talk about these devices in case it might help someone else.
I’m more connected to the outside world because of this voice that talks to me even though there’s no one there. When I say, “Good morning, Alexa,” she responds, “Good morning,” and tells me an interesting fact about the day. I can get all kinds of information from her. In fact, I haven’t begun to implement all the things she can do.
I guess I don’t quite live alone anymore.

Sharing is caring!