The Influence of the Amazon Echo Dot on Loneliness Among Older Adults Living Alone in Underserved Communities
Rie Suzuki, Charlotte Tang, Jennifer Blackwood, Brent Gasser, Ashton Herrick, Annaliese Elliott

TL;DR
This study explores how using Amazon Echo Dot affects loneliness in older adults living alone in underserved areas.
Contribution
The study is one of the first to investigate the impact of virtual home assistants on loneliness in older adults from underserved communities.
Findings
Most participants reported that the device did not significantly reduce their loneliness.
Some participants appreciated features like music and interaction, finding them valuable.
Positive feedback suggests potential for future virtual home assistants to help reduce loneliness.
Abstract
Loneliness is associated with a higher mortality rate in older adults. Virtual home assistants (VHAs) offer potential benefits for social engagement, but their specific impact on loneliness among older adults in underserved communities is not well documented. The purpose of this pilot study was to examine the effects of VHA use on loneliness in older adults living alone. A pre-post mixed methods study was conducted from 2024 to 2025 with participants from four senior centers in the Greater Flint Area. Inclusion criteria were being 60 years or older, living alone, self-reported isolation, smartphone use, Wi-Fi access, no prior VHA use, and a modified cognitive status telephone interview with a score of 21 or higher. Participants received an Echo Dot, a smart light, and $100 for participating in the study, with eight-week weekly follow-ups. Of the 13 who completed the study, most were…
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Taxonomy
TopicsTechnology Use by Older Adults · Digital Mental Health Interventions · AI in Service Interactions
