How does a daily help app for seniors work?
A daily help app like Elsy works with your voice. You say 'Remind me about the dentist on Thursday at 10,' and the reminder arrives as a notification on your phone. Elsy can also keep track of your medicines, remember what you tell her and write down your life stories, so you can send them to your family.
Most of what Elsy does starts with you saying something out loud. Here's how that works for reminders, medicines and your life stories.
How Elsy helps with your day
Elsy is an AI companion made to help you organize your day. You ask for a reminder with your voice, and it arrives as a notification on your phone when it's time, so you don't have to keep everything in your head. Read more about how Elsy works.
Daily reminders
Just say what you want to remember. If you say "Remind me about the dentist on Thursday at 10," you get a notification on your phone on Thursday at 10, and Elsy brings up the appointment when you talk. She doesn't call you or read the reminder out loud.
Managing medicines
Elsy can help you set up and keep track of your medicine schedule. Tell her what you take and when, and a notification arrives when it's time. Tap Taken in the notification or just tell Elsy "I've taken my pills," so there's nothing to write down. If you don't respond, the app asks again after about 5 and 15 minutes. The US National Institute on Aging notes that medicine reminder apps can help you remember when and how to take your medicines each day.
Company and conversation
Besides the practical help, Elsy can be good company, and that matters on the slow days. Daily conversations can help keep your mind active and give your day structure. The Lancet Commission lists social isolation, physical inactivity and hearing loss among the 14 risk factors for dementia that can be changed. Elsy doesn't prevent dementia, and a conversation with her doesn't replace time with other people. Read more about why social connection is good for the brain.
Something to talk about
Talk with Elsy about today's news or about your childhood, and that can make your day a little livelier. She can also look things up online for you, like the weather or when the pharmacy is open.
“It's just such a relief to say to Elsy: I don't know anything about this. And it's embarrassing, because a man my age ought to know it. And then she tells me: Don't worry about that. Let me help you.”
Helge, 72, talks with Elsy (translated from Danish)
What Elsy means for your family
If you like, your family can follow how you're doing in the family dashboard, in their own Elsy app and on helloelsy.com. What they see depends on their level in Your circle. From the Wellbeing level, they see how you're doing over time. These are estimates based on patterns in your conversations, not clinical measurements. At the highest level, Full trust, they also see what Elsy remembers about you. If a family member set Elsy up and gave consent on your behalf, everyone in your circle is at Full trust. Knowing how your days are going can give your family peace of mind and help you all feel close. Read more about what your family can see.
Sharing life stories
When you tell Elsy about your life, she writes the story up afterward with your own words as quotes and a picture she has painted. You can send your stories to your family, so your children and grandchildren have your experiences in writing. That can help strengthen family ties. Read more about life stories with Elsy.
How does Elsy protect your privacy?
Your conversations are recorded and stored securely so Elsy can remember what you tell her, and your stored data is hosted in the EU. So that Elsy can hear you, answer and remember, what you say is processed by AI services in the United States, and the app shows you which ones before you start. We never sell your personal data, and we don't use it to train general-purpose AI models. Your family never sees transcripts or recordings of your conversations, apart from the life stories you send them, which contain your own words and may include short excerpts of your voice. What else they see depends on their level in Your circle. Read more in our privacy policy.
Ease of use and settings
You handle most things in Elsy just by talking with her. You can also adjust the settings to suit you: change the name Elsy calls you, choose your language, change how she speaks, and turn the Daily question and the Daily recap email (a summary of your day, sent in the evening) on or off.
How to get started
Download Elsy from the App Store or Google Play, open the app and tap Talk to Elsy. Ask for your first reminder, or just tell her about your day. You can try Elsy free for 3 days on your own phone. See how Elsy works step by step.
Frequently asked questions
How does Elsy help with medicines?
Elsy keeps track of your medicine schedule. You can add your medicines, plan your doses and record when you've taken them, either by telling Elsy or by tapping Taken in the notification on your phone.
Are my conversations with Elsy secure?
Your conversations with Elsy are recorded and stored securely, and your stored data is hosted in the EU. So that Elsy can hear you, answer and remember, what you say is processed by AI services in the United States. We never sell your personal data, and we don't use it to train general-purpose AI models.
How do I get started with Elsy?
Install Elsy on your phone from the App Store or Google Play and start talking with her right away. You can try Elsy free for 3 days on your own phone.
This is general information, not medical advice. Every situation is different, so talk to a doctor about yours.