Assistive technology is useful every day of the year, but as the COVID-19 outbreak forces many of us to stay in our homes, its functions can be more helpful than ever.

If you have an Amazon Echo or Google Home device, keep reading to find out how you can utilise it effectively.
INFORMATION
We’re currently experiencing an information overload, which can have negative consequences if it starts to affect your mental health. Use your home assistant to bring you news updates at certain times of the day. That way, you wont be tempted to look at the news during the day, and can instead receive a concise update of the latest news at a time that you choose.
Or, if you just want some fun facts, let your assistant know the topic of your choice and sit back as it tells you everything you want to know.
FUN
If you’re already feeling a bit bored of self-isolation, we don’t blame you. But, if you’re looking for something fun and different to do, your home assistant can help you out, with plenty of games saved to their databases.
On Alexa, Escape the Room will allow you to investigate in cyber space, and you’ll have to solve different puzzles to ‘escape’ the virtual room Alexa has created.
Or, for a thought-provoking game, you can play Would You Rather. This will force you to make some interesting choices that you’ve probably never thought of before. You can also choose the family version so the kids can get involved, too.
If you want to truly feel like you’ve escaped from your home, ask Alexa to play the Magic Door. This game will take you into an enchanted land full of magical creatures, where you’ll have to conquer different challenges along the way. Use your imagination for this one.
HOME CONTROL
Every little helps to keep those stress levels under control. Your assistive device can manage your light bulbs, thermostat, boiler, WiFI, TV, speakers and more, all at the tap of a button from your phone.
Not only does this make your life easier, it also makes your home more functional and accessible, which can help you keep calm and put your mind at ease, so you can focus on other, more important things.
CONNECTION
Staying connected to friends and family at this time is crucial, and your home assistant will enable you to do this with ease. By simply telling them who you want to phone, they can dial up any of your contacts and play their voice on their speaker, meaning you can go about the house while chatting with them, or even videoing with them.
Or, if you want to simulate your workplace from your home office, your home assistant can act as a coworker. Maybe you want advice on a problem from your makeshift desk, or are missing the general chat from your colleagues.
If so, you can simply strike up a conversation with your home assistant and let the chat continue as normal.
Home assistants can be vital at times like these, helping in practical ways, but also enabling you to have fun and keep feelings of loneliness and isolation at bay.
How are you using your home assistant? Let us know over on our Twitter and Instagram, and get involved with our #EnableCommunity