Amazon is partnering with Vayyar and Assistive Technology Service for fall detection on its Alexa Together subscription.

Alexa Together, which was announced in September and is available starting today, allows caregivers to remotely monitor and assist family members in their homes. It includes an emergency response service, an activity feed that can alert family members if a loved one hasn't used Alexa by a set time, and remote assist features that allow caregivers to set reminders or change settings.

The partnerships with Vayyar and Assistive Technology Service (ATS) add fall detection to the subscription. Vayyar Care uses wall-mounted sensors to detect falls, while SkyAngelCare by ATS is a pendant users can wear around their necks. When a customer uses the pendant or Vayyar detects a fall, Alexa can call urgent response services and family members if necessary.

"With today's seniors more empowered and engaged than ever, there's a clear need for smart technologies that enable them to maintain their lifestyles, providing the protection they demand and the peace-of-mind their families expect," Raviv Melamed, Vayyar co-founder and CEO, said in a statement. "That's exactly where Vayyar Care comes in, and I'm delighted that we're able to play a pivotal role in Amazon’s new Alexa Together service."

WHY IT MATTERS

More older adults say they prefer to age in place, and digital health technologies could play an important role in helping seniors stay in their homes, a 2020 report from Rock Health found. 

Falls are one barrier for some seniors living independently. According to the CDC, death rates from falls for older adults in the U.S. increased 30% between 2007 and 2016. More than 800,000 patients are hospitalized each year due to injuries from falling such as a head injury or hip fracture. 

THE LARGER TREND

The Alexa Together subscription isn't Amazon's first foray into aging-at-home tech. The service builds on the company's Care Hub features initially released in November 2020. As part of the Alexa Together launch, Amazon is offering Care Hub users a free year of the new subscription.

The company is also using the voice assistant at scale outside the home in senior living facilities and health systems. 

Others in the digital senior care space include Papa, which recently scooped up a significant $150 million in Series D funding; Best Buy, which in October announced plans to acquire remote monitoring company Current Health; and home care platform Honor, which recently raised a $70 million Series E.

Other fall-detection technology is available. Just last week, SafelyYou, maker of AI-enabled technology that aims to detect and prevent falls, scored $30 million in Series B financing.