Most seniors I visit in Lakewood Ranch have an Alexa device sitting on a table that they use for maybe two things — asking the weather and playing music. That is a good start. But there are a handful of other commands that make a real difference in daily life, and they are just as easy to use.
Here are ten worth knowing. If you want help getting Alexa set up or learning these in person, I offer in-home Alexa support throughout Manatee County.
“Alexa, what’s the weather today?”
A simple one to start with. Before a morning walk around the neighborhood or a drive to an appointment, this tells you exactly what to expect outside. Florida weather changes fast — this is worth asking every morning.
“Alexa, remind me to take my pill at 9 AM every day.”
This is the command that makes the biggest practical difference for seniors managing medications. Say it once and Alexa repeats the reminder at the same time every day without you doing anything again. I cover how reminders and recurring alerts work in more detail in my guide on Alexa reminders and medication alerts for seniors.
“Alexa, call [name].”
As long as the contact is in your phone, Alexa dials them hands-free. No picking up a phone, no finding the right screen, no fumbling with buttons. For seniors who find small touchscreens difficult, this is one of the most freeing commands on the list.
“Alexa, play [artist or song].”
Ask for a favorite artist, a decade, or a genre and Alexa starts playing immediately. It connects with Amazon Music, Spotify, and other services depending on what you have set up. A lot of my clients ask for big band, Frank Sinatra, or classic country — it all works.
“Alexa, what’s on my calendar today?”
If your Google or Outlook calendar is linked to Alexa, this reads out your day in plain language. Doctor appointments, family visits, reminders — all announced without touching a screen. Caregivers can also add events to the calendar remotely so seniors hear them automatically.
“Alexa, turn on the lights.”
This one requires smart bulbs or smart plugs to be set up first, but once they are, controlling lights by voice is genuinely useful — especially for seniors who move carefully at night. No reaching for switches in the dark. I cover the setup process on my smart plugs and lights for seniors page.
“Alexa, read my Audible book.”
For seniors with vision challenges or anyone who enjoys being read to, Alexa reads audiobooks aloud through Audible. You can pause, resume, and skip chapters entirely by voice. A good option for relaxing in the afternoon without staring at a screen.
“Alexa, what time is it?”
Simple but genuinely useful, especially at night when you do not want to turn on a light to check a clock. This gets asked more than almost any other command in homes I have visited.
“Alexa, drop in on [name].”
Drop In lets a family member connect to your Alexa device like an intercom — no answering required on your end. Adult children in another state use this to check in on a parent without the parent needing to do anything. Both sides need to have Drop In enabled first, which is something I set up during a home visit. For more on how this works for caregivers, see my guide on how caregivers use Alexa to help seniors.
“Alexa, help.”
If you forget a command or want to know what Alexa can do next, just say this. Alexa walks you through options and suggestions. It is the safest thing to say when you are unsure — nothing bad happens and you usually learn something new.
Want Help Getting Started?
I visit homes throughout Manatee County — Lakewood Ranch, Bradenton, Parrish, and Palmetto — and set up Alexa so it works the way you need it to. That includes reminders, contacts, smart home connections, and a printed cheat sheet of your most-used commands before I leave. Visit my Alexa for seniors page or contact me here to schedule a visit.