Amazon is launching Alexa Together, a subscription service that allows caregivers to assist and remotely monitor aging family members in their homes.

The subscription, which Amazon will release later this year in the U.S., will cost $19.99 a month and builds on the company’s Care Hub features that debuted in November 2020. 

Alexa Together allows multiple family members or caregivers to check in on an aging loved one. They can set customized alerts, such as a warning in case their family member hasn’t used Alexa for a certain amount of time, and remotely help their loved one, like setting a reminder to take medications or managing a shopping list. 

The subscription also includes a 24/7 urgent response service, and it’s compatible with third-party fall detection devices.

WHY IT MATTERS

The demand for remote monitoring for seniors is growing as baby boomers age. By 2030, all members of the massive baby boom generation will be older than 65, and the Census Bureau predicts older people over 65 will outnumber children under the age of 18 for the first time in U.S. history by 2034. 

Meanwhile, older adults would rather stay in their homes as they age. According to a 2020 Rock Health report, 77% of people over age 55 say they want to age in place, though only 50% believe they will.  

Seniors are also facing a shortage of home health workers, even as demand grows. The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the employment of home health and personal care aides will grow 33% between 2020 and 2030, faster than other occupations. 

THE LARGER TREND

Amazon has been expanding its reach in the healthcare and digital health space. The tech giant also announced yesterday it is adding to its Halo fitness tracking line with a new wearable, the Halo View, in addition to fitness classes and a meal planning service. 

The company had a busy 2020, including the launch of a digital pharmacy the same month as its Care Hub announcement, the release of its Halo wearable and app in August, and the start of its Amazon Care service for its Seattle-based employees in February, which is reportedly expanding to another 20 U.S. cities through 2022.

Other companies in senior care and remote monitoring include Connect America, Best Buy’s Lively brand and Papa, which recently announced a partnership with Milliman HealthIO.