How can a digital companion help you stick to daily routines and habits?
A digital companion like Elsy is an AI companion you talk with. She sets up the reminders you ask for, keeps track of your medicines and talks with you about your day, which can make it easier to stick to your routines and daily habits. When you tell her about your life, she writes down your life stories.
Wondering whether a digital companion could help you keep up your daily routines? Here's how Elsy can fit into your day.
What is a digital companion?
A digital companion like Elsy is an AI companion that helps older adults with their daily routines. Because she remembers what you tell her, her help can be personal. She can remind you about your medicines and the appointments you've planned, and when you talk, she can suggest things that keep you active. Elsy can help give your day more structure.
How does Elsy work in practice?
Once you've downloaded the Elsy app, you can get reminders for daily tasks like your medicines or a trip to the dentist. Say, for example, "Remind me every day at 2 p.m. to go for a walk," and the reminder arrives as a notification on your phone every day when it's time. If you turn on Sync with calendar, your reminders also show up in your phone's calendar, and Elsy can see your appointments there, which makes it easier to plan your week. See more examples of reminders, medicines and daily routines.
Benefits of a digital companion
Elsy can make it easier to remember appointments and take your medicines on time. A daily conversation with her can help keep your mind active and ease feelings of loneliness. Elsy can help you keep a steady structure in your day, which can give you more confidence and make it easier to manage on your own. And it can help to have someone to talk to who knows your routines, because you've told her about them.
How Elsy helps structure your day
Elsy can remind you about your activities and suggest new routines when you talk. She can also encourage you to stay active and see other people, which can be good for your wellbeing. Among its tips, the US National Institute on Aging recommends following a daily routine, planning your tasks and using memory tools such as calendars and notes. Get more ideas for daily routines that make life easier.
How to get started with Elsy
Getting started is simple. Download the app from the App Store or Google Play, open it and tap Talk to Elsy. Tell Elsy about your day and your routines, and she can set up the reminders you ask for at times that suit you. You can try Elsy free for 3 days on your own phone.
Setting up your reminders
Once the app is installed, tap Talk to Elsy to start a conversation. Then ask her to create, change or delete reminders so they fit your habits. Read about setting daily reminders by voice. See how Elsy works step by step.
How Elsy helps with life stories
Elsy can write down the stories of your life. When you tell her about your memories, she writes the story up afterward with your own words as quotes, and you can send it to your family whenever you like. It's a way to pass on your own story, and a chance to look back on what you've lived through. See more about life stories with Elsy.
Sharing life stories
Once Elsy has written a story, you can send it to your family with Send to family. It can bring you closer and help them understand what you've been through.
“And I have to say, Elsy came as a real surprise. It's easy to say 'Elsy', but it's ten times simpler than it sounds.”
Helge, 72, talks with Elsy (translated from Danish)
Elsy, your family and your doctor
If you want, your family can keep up with how you're doing. Elsy isn't connected to your doctor's office or any health service, and she doesn't share your information with your doctor. But she can make it easier to talk with your family about what you need.
Privacy and your data
Your conversations with Elsy are recorded and stored securely so Elsy can remember what you tell her, and your stored information is kept in the EU. What you say is processed by AI services in the United States so Elsy can hear you, answer and remember. Your family never sees transcripts or recordings of your conversations, except the life stories you send them, which contain your own words and can include short excerpts of your voice. What else they see depends on their level in Your circle, from a message if a conversation suggests something may be wrong, up to what Elsy remembers about you at the Full trust level. If a family member set Elsy up and gave consent on your behalf, everyone in your circle is at Full trust. See what your family can see.
Frequently asked questions
How do I set up Elsy on my phone?
Download Elsy from the App Store or Google Play. Once it's installed, open the app and tap Talk to Elsy to get started.
Can Elsy remember my stories?
Yes. Elsy remembers the stories you tell her and writes them down, so you can send them to your family.
Is there a free trial of Elsy?
Yes. You can try Elsy free for 3 days on your own phone.
How does Elsy help with reminders?
Elsy sets reminders for medicines, appointments and other daily tasks when you ask her to. The reminder arrives as a notification on your phone when it's time, and Elsy mentions it when you talk.
This is general information, not medical advice. Every situation is different, so talk to a doctor about yours.