Two of the biggest names in home electronics separately rolled out services and technology Wednesday aimed at helping seniors age in place.
Best Buy announced a deal with Amazon that will allow customers to connect to Best Buy’s Lively emergency services through Alexa-enabled devices. By linking the device to the service, seniors can tell Alexa they need help and can be connected to a Lively agent who can assess the situation and get them the help they need.
“Our customers want to live independently in their homes and offering Lively Urgent Response on Alexa is a great way for them to easily and discreetly access the help they may need with a simple voice command,” David Inns, president of active aging at Best Buy Health, said in a press release.
Lively keeps personalized profiles of its customers that include detailed information regarding their health conditions, medications, family contacts and how emergency responders can access their homes.
Best Buy has joined other retailers in recent months aggressively courting the senior market. The big box retailer sells a number of products under its Active Aging unit, including a smart phone it launched last year that connects older adults to emergency and health services at the touch of a button. The company also acquired remote patient monitoring and telehealth firm Current Health last fall.
LG partners with Independa
Also on Wednesday, LG Electronics inked a deal with Independa to include its Health Hub remote engagement platforms on LG’s 2022 and 2021 smart television sets. Consumers who buy an LG smart TV will have access to a variety of educational and healthcare offerings that include music therapy, interfaith content, access to healthcare providers and at-home medical tests.
“Compelling new integrated solutions like health content and testing bring simplicity to in-home care and can play a big role in enhancing [the] lives of consumers across America, especially as the nation emerges from the pandemic,” Matthew Durgin, LG’s head of content and services development, said in a statement.
