Table 2 Quotes from patients and carers on the use of assistive device
| Example responses from patients and carers |
|---|---|
Quote 1 | “Getting information is good (if it is able to) – medical, general knowledge. If you’re not computer literate it makes info much more accessible! Used it for reminders to take medications, remind day before appointments.” |
Quote 2 | “Alexa has helped her to get to her appointments that she was always missing before – warns before she has to go, sends dual reminders to mum’s phone. Helps her to remember to prepare for her son’s activities e.g. make her son’s sandwiches. Helped son with education. Son has gotten very involved. Tells her to lock the door. Helped with cooking. Increased independence, reduced anxiety, peace of mind, learning new skills.” |
Quote 3 | “Memory is not very good so was always missing appointments, unable to cook even simple meals as would forget to switch oven on/off - now she can with her son and Alexa’s help – reminds her to take things out of the oven and switch it off. Running life more smoothly.” |
Quote 4 | “Good to ask medical questions – reminder to take tablets is useful” |
Quote 5 | “Positive for both carers and patient. Independence for carers too.” |
Quote 6 | “Small and neat. Not used it for diabetes per se. Ask questions about current affairs, play music, wants to use it for meditation, had a gastric band fitted. Would like to be able to keep a food diary with a calorie count. Set exercise targets. Finds it friendly and comforting – can ask it questions, say good night etc. Husband uses it for knowing where she is (in a good way!) – it is linked to her diary.” |
Quote 7 | “When taking pain medication she can’t sometimes remember if she has taken it or not – Alexa relieves this anxiety for her as she tells it when she takes any medication so she can get it to remind her later; getting recipes for her intolerances easily.” |
Quote 8 | “Type 1 DM - Carb content of food – easier than googling, counts carbs and converts it into insulin units (separately) – not perfect, sometimes uses US units i.e. cups etc. Uses it as a calculator function to work out insulin ratio from it. Dyslexia – spelling words for wife.” |
Quotes 9 | a) “Thinks it has improved health: more motivated because don’t forget things as much, alarm clock gets him out of bed, feels less frustrated with himself. Been great to have at the moment because of Covid-19!” b) “Found it fun, really helpful for covid-19 restrictions, very comforting to have in the house”. c) “Using it for music, quizzes. Used it to keep in touch with granddaughter. Exercises have been really good to do some exercise especially with Covid-19”. |
Quote 10 | “Keeping track of diary, putting bins out, meditation, helps with stress, helps with loneliness – keeps her company; play music.” |
Quote 11 | “How easy it is – thought it would be difficult to set up – could have done it herself it was so easy; surprised at the amount she uses it – and it’s good for company too – asks for a fact or a joke randomly - although her jokes are bad! Surprised at just how positive it has been for her.” |
Quote 12 | “Gives mum a lot of reassurance and peace of mind. Thinks it has changed Mr. X’s daily life for the better.” |
Quote 13 | “Gone from 24 h care in XYZ House to live by himself in his house; medication reminders in particular meant that he could keep his mental health problems under control and could be safe to himself and others; set it up by himself too. Music for relaxation.” |
