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From Amazon Echo speakers to smart thermostats, modern technology is quietly revolutionising how we can support vulnerable people, even when those devices weren't originally designed with caregiving in mind.
Carers are increasingly turning to everyday gadgets to make life safer, simpler and less stressful for the people they look after.
By helping people stay organised, call for assistance and manage everyday tasks, the right tech can support independent living, from adjusting the heating in winter to making TV viewing more accessible.
Keeping on top of everyday tasks, such as taking medication or remembering bin collection day, can be challenging. Smart tech can provide helpful reminders to keep important routines on track.
You can schedule Amazon Echo speakers to announce reminders at set times throughout the week. Smart displays like the Echo Show 8 can also show to-do and shopping lists on the screen or read them aloud, offering handy visual and audio prompts throughout the day.
Martin Pratt, Which? smart speaker expert, says:
'Echo Shows are great for timers, reminders and answering the quick questions you might typically reach for your phone to check. Things like getting a weather forecast, checking whether a shop is open, making sure there aren’t any problems on the motorway and similar queries are where Echos excel.
'While you might forget things on occasion, your Echo won't, so it’s brilliant for keeping you on track with anything regular. You could ask the Echo to remind you to take your tablets at a set time every morning, take meat out of the freezer to defrost, or that your favourite show is starting.
'What sets the Echo apart from a simple timer is that Alexa uses words rather than alarms.'
We like: You can see and hear your reminders
We don’t like: You need to learn how to switch off the alerts
The Echo Show 8 combines the functionality of a smart speaker with an easy-to-use touchscreen display.
You can control it using voice commands or by tapping the screen, and there are physical buttons to mute the microphone, adjust the volume and dismiss alerts.
The display can show useful information such as your calendar, reminders, notifications and favourite photos. It also has a built-in camera for video calls, allowing you to stay connected with family and friends through other Echo Show devices or the Alexa app on Android, iOS and PC.
Read our Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) review or see more of the best wireless speakers.
If the person you care for is nervous about opening the front door to strangers, a video doorbell outside and a smart display inside could be a massive help.
You can set it up to show a live view of the front door on a screen in the hallway or kitchen.
It could also be useful for you to know who is coming and going from the property, helping you keep tabs on whether the carers have come in, how long they stay and so on.
Patrick Gallagher, Which? security camera expert, says:
‘A video doorbell or security camera can make a big difference to someone who feels less confident answering the door. They can see who is there before deciding whether to open it, and family members may also be able to check when a visitor arrives.
'There are some privacy issues to think about, though. If a camera is recording beyond the property, particularly areas such as the pavement or a neighbour’s home, there can be data protection implications.
'People who are regularly being recorded, such as carers, should also be made aware that cameras are in use. It’s worth taking a few minutes to check exactly what the camera can see, where recordings are stored and who can access them. Used sensibly, they can improve security without becoming intrusive.’
We like: It has motion detection alongside 4K video footage
We don’t like: You need a subscription for video storage
Installing a video doorbell, such as the Ring Wired Video Doorbell Pro (3rd Gen), lets you see your front door from an app on your phone.
When someone approaches the house, the doorbell detects motion. You’ll get an alert on your phone and, if you have one, on a smart display.
If you prefer a more traditional setup, the bell still has a button, and you can add an indoor chime so you’ll still hear when someone rings.
Read our Ring Wired Video Doorbell Pro (3rd Gen) review or see more of the best video doorbells.
If you’re always getting calls to help with PC problems and it’s tricky to explain the fix over the phone, or you don’t have time to pop over and help, it could be worth installing remote access software on their device.
That way, you can control their computer from your laptop when you have a spare minute at home.
Of course, you’ll need to get their permission to install it on their PC, but it could make helping them much quicker and easier.
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If the person you care for regularly struggles to adjust their heating, a smart thermostat lets you manage it for them remotely via an app on your phone.
They won't have to suffer through a freezing home or struggle with overly hot rooms, and you won't need to make a trip to their house every few days to tweak the settings.
As a bonus, it can significantly trim their energy bills. You can ensure the heating runs only when needed and keep a helpful eye on energy use over time.
Patrick Gallagher, Which? smart thermostat expert, says:
‘Being able to control the heating remotely can be really useful if you have an elderly relative living on their own.
'If the weather turns cold, you can check that the heating is on and turn it up if necessary without having to be there. It can also be helpful for people who have a regular routine, as the heating can be set to come on at particular times rather than them having to do it themselves.
'I think the main benefit is the reassurance it gives family members, while still allowing the person in the home to use the heating as they normally would. It’s not a replacement for checking in on someone, but it is a simple way of keeping an eye on things when you can’t always be there.’
We like: The thermostat has a dial to adjust the temperature
We don’t like: Some functions are locked behind the Hive Plus subscription service (£40 a year)
Hive's smart thermostat keeps heating simple for everyone.
You can set routines, monitor energy use and manage settings remotely via the Hive app. Meanwhile, the person you look after retains full control at home.
They can adjust the temperature using the wall dial or by asking Alexa, without ever needing to touch a smartphone.
Read our Hive Thermostat V4 review or see more of the best smart thermostats.
Navigating a TV's menus and settings can be frustrating, so it's worth setting up voice controls. This lets the person you support simply ask for the programme they want to watch or adjust the volume, rather than having to navigate complicated menus. Many modern TVs and streaming devices include voice control as standard.
For a particularly straightforward setup, Amazon's Fire TV Cube can work completely hands-free using the Alexa wake word. It also acts as a universal infrared (IR) blaster, letting Alexa control functions on a connected TV, such as switching between HDMI inputs.
To take it a step further, you could also set up a Which?-tested indoor camera and point it at the TV. By signing in to the same Amazon account in the Alexa app on your phone, you can use voice commands remotely to help control what's shown on screen.
Read more about what a Fire Stick could add to your TV.
It's also worth exploring the accessibility features built into the TV itself. These can make viewing easier for people with hearing or sight impairments. Look for features such as subtitles, audio descriptions and high-contrast display modes.
Martin Pratt, Which? TV expert, says:
'Almost all TVs have some level of accessibility tech, but the quality of these features varies. Screen readers are common, but while some read out everything on the screen in a logical order, others won’t read a word on certain menus, or will miss out key information.
'The best models give you access to different colour options as well as screen magnification, so you can watch in comfort and actually see what’s going on.
'When it comes to sound, look for a model with Bluetooth so you can pair your hearing aid, and make sure you pick the speech sound mode. Voices are often the hardest part of the mix to hear, so give them more emphasis to cut through the bass and mid-range.'
Struggling to hear dialogue on the TV? These simple adjustments can make speech clearer and easier to follow.
For more, see our guide on how to hear the TV better.
An Amazon Echo smart display is ideal for face-to-face check-ins and staying in touch with friends and family.
You don't both need a display – you can set one up in their home and call them anytime using the Alexa app on your phone.
To start a conversation, all they have to say is 'Alexa, video call [contact name]' and when they're done, 'Alexa, hang up'.
When it's not being used for calls, the Echo Show can double as a digital photo frame displaying family photos throughout the day.
The best digital photo frames will display your favourite snaps of all your friends and family.
We like: You can use it to make calls with family
We don't like: The screen is very small
If you don't want to overspend on a smart display but still want all the benefits of a smart speaker with a screen, the Echo Show 5 is the smallest and most affordable of the Amazon displays.
You can use it to make video calls, display photos, remind you of tasks for the day and tell you what's on your calendar.
Read our Amazon Echo Show 5 review.
Smart speakers around the house aren’t just useful for setting reminders or staying connected with family. You can also use them to call for help.
Amazon Echo has a feature that can call or text a designated person when you say ‘Alexa, call for help’ or ‘Alexa, call my emergency contact’.
Setup is simple. Open the Alexa app, select More > Communicate > Contacts > Menu > Emergency Contacts. Then, just follow the on-screen instructions to add your details.
If the person you're looking after regularly has people coming and going from the house but you’re not keen on handing out or hiding keys, a smart door lock could be the answer.
Smart door locks replace traditional mechanical locks with an electronic alternative that uses a motor to turn the deadbolt.
Through a smartphone app, you can grant access remotely or issue temporary digital passes. Meanwhile, the person you’re caring for no longer has to struggle with small, finicky physical keys. They can simply open the door using a Pin code, fob or fingerprint scan.
Read more about smart door locks and whether they're worth buying.
If you’re worried about relatives getting up in the middle of the night and hurting themselves while trying to find the light switch in the dark, it could be worth investing in some smart lights.
You can control them by voice with simple commands like ‘Alexa, turn on the lights’. If that gets confusing, a motion sensor placed in the hallway can trigger the lights to turn on automatically as your relative walks to the bathroom or kitchen.
Are smart bulbs worth it? Here's why you might want to buy some.
