State Farm: Helping Seniors Stay Independent in Their Homes Longer

BLOOMINGTON, Illinois, Aug. 22 -- State Farm Companies, an auto, home and individual life insurance provider, issued the following news release:

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- New State Farm-Developed Alexa Skill Uses Voice to Create Connected Care Environment

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Staying in a home environment while remaining independent is a dream more seniors could achieve thanks to a new offering from State Farm.

Teaming up with Amazon, State Farm is developing a new skill for Alexa that could allow seniors to stay independent longer in their homes. Their care circle of family and friends can have an easy way to stay connected and help coordinate care virtually. A limited trial is currently being conducted, with plans to launch broadly in 2020.

"Through this work, we're able to provide a new, innovative offering that could improve the quality of life and care for seniors and help give their family members added peace of mind," said Mark Oakley, Senior Vice President of Labs @ State Farm. "We are committed to helping life go right, and this unique voice solution will enhance our ability to do so right from peoples' homes. As one of the caregivers to my late father, I know first-hand how impactful this capability could be for users and look forward to bringing this offering to life through Alexa."

How it works

State Farm is developing an Alexa skill that is optimized for Amazon's Echo Show, allowing the senior to use voice and touch interface. The Alexa skill then connects to the care circle through a State Farm-developed mobile app. The senior gets a personalized experience and virtual support through coordination and communication with their care circle.

Some of the features planned for this Alexa skill and care circle mobile app include:

* Quick check-in with the Alexa skill can reassure care circle via the mobile app

* Interactive dashboard on Echo Show with scrolling list of daily activities

* Tools in the mobile app to coordinate key tasks across the care circle

* Smart-suggestions from the mobile app to the senior's Echo Show for events and activities

* Music and photos sent from the mobile app to the senior's Echo Show

* Ability to view full calendar on both the Echo Show and mobile app with audio commands and visual display

* Social features on both Echo Show and mobile app to help everyone stay connected

To view the chart, click here: https://newsroom.statefarm.com/new-alexa-skill-boosts-senior-independence/

The need is there

State Farm research indicates only about a third of people feel current technologies available today are useful in helping manage care of a loved one. And over half indicated they are interested in trying out an app that would help them coordinate care with their aging loved one. A report released earlier this year from a White House Task Force focused on aging adults says technology can help. Support aimed at helping seniors with daily living, transportation and social connection will be key in helping older Americans to 'age in place'.

In the next decade, the U.S. will see an important demographic turning point according to the U.S. Census Bureau. By 2030, 1 out of 5 U.S. residents will be over the age of 65. A 2018 survey by AARP reveals 3 out of 4 adults age 50 and older want to stay in their homes as they age, and a 2017 Pew Research Report shows a significant increase in tech adoption among the aging population.

State Farm is working to help meet the needs of current and future customers in ways they may not ordinarily expect from a traditional insurance company. We have a rich heritage of innovation and continuously work on new technologies that will help us deliver products and services enabling people to live life more confidently.

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About State Farm(R):

The mission of State Farm is to help people manage the risks of everyday life, recover from the unexpected, and realize their dreams. State Farm and its affiliates are the largest providers of auto and home insurance in the United States. Its nearly 19,000 agents and approximately 58,000 employees serve approximately 83 million policies and accounts - approximately 81 million auto, fire, life, health and commercial policies and approximately 2 million bank accounts. Commercial auto insurance, along with coverage for renters, business owners, boats and motorcycles, is available. State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company is the parent of the State Farm family of companies. State Farm is ranked No. 36 on the 2018 Fortune 500 list of largest companies. For more information, please visit http://www.statefarm.com.