The Alexa Together service, Amazon’s dedicated subscription for remote caregiving, was officially discontinued on June 25, 2024. For years, this service provided families with a structured way to support aging loved ones through specialized features like activity feeds, urgent response, and remote device management. However, Amazon has now shifted its strategy, replacing Alexa Together with a more streamlined service called Alexa Emergency Assist.

For users who relied on Alexa Together, the transition involves more than just a name change. While the emergency response features have moved to the new subscription, many of the remote caregiving tools have been integrated into the standard, free Alexa app functionality. Understanding how to navigate this new landscape is essential for maintaining the safety and independence of seniors living at home.

The End of Alexa Together: A Timeline of the Transition

Amazon launched Alexa Together in late 2021 as an evolution of its original "Care Hub." It was designed to bridge the gap between complete independence and assisted living. For a monthly fee of $19.99, it offered peace of mind through a 24/7 professional emergency helpline and unique tools that let family members check in without being intrusive.

Effective June 25, 2024, Amazon ceased support for the Alexa Together subscription. Customers who were active subscribers during this period were notified to transition to Alexa Emergency Assist. Any remaining credit from annual subscriptions was typically handled through Amazon’s customer support, and the specific "Alexa Together" dashboard within the app was deprecated.

The decision to retire the service appears to be part of a broader effort to simplify Alexa’s premium offerings. By splitting the professional emergency response from the daily caregiving tools, Amazon has lowered the entry price for emergency safety while making caregiving features more accessible to all Alexa users regardless of their subscription status.

Introducing Alexa Emergency Assist: The Official Successor

Alexa Emergency Assist is the current flagship safety service offered by Amazon. Unlike its predecessor, which focused heavily on the relationship between a "caregiver" and a "care receiver," Emergency Assist is built as a safety net for anyone in the household, though it remains particularly valuable for seniors.

Core Features of Alexa Emergency Assist

  1. 24/7 Urgent Response: This is the primary value proposition. Users can say, "Alexa, call for help," to be connected to a professionally trained agent. These agents have the caller’s pre-registered address and can dispatch police, fire, or ambulance services directly.
  2. Smart Alerts: The service can listen for the sound of smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors when the user is away (or if a senior is unable to react). If these sounds are detected, Alexa sends a notification to the user’s phone and can offer to connect them to Urgent Response.
  3. Emergency Contacts: In the event of an emergency call, Alexa will automatically notify up to 25 pre-designated emergency contacts via text or call, keeping the entire "Circle of Support" informed in real-time.
  4. Critical Medical Information: Subscribers can store medical information—such as allergies, medications, and pre-existing conditions—which the Urgent Response agent can relay to first responders.

Pricing and Value Analysis

One of the most significant changes in the move from Alexa Together to Alexa Emergency Assist is the price. Alexa Together cost $19.99 per month or $199 per year. In contrast, Alexa Emergency Assist is priced at $5.99 per month or $59 per year.

For families who only used Alexa Together for the professional emergency monitoring, this represents a significant cost saving. However, because the "Remote Assist" and "Activity Feed" features are no longer part of this paid bundle, users must now set those up manually using standard Alexa features.

Comparing Alexa Together vs. Alexa Emergency Assist

When evaluating the shift, it is clear that while the emergency calling feature has improved in terms of affordability, the "all-in-one" caregiving dashboard has disappeared.

Feature Alexa Together (Retired) Alexa Emergency Assist (Current)
Monthly Cost $19.99 $5.99
Emergency Response 24/7 Professional Agent 24/7 Professional Agent
Emergency Contacts Up to 10 (Circle of Support) Up to 25
Remote Assist Integrated in Subscription Move to Free Alexa Features
Activity Feed Detailed Snapshot Move to Free Alexa Features
Fall Detection Supported via 3rd Party Supported via 3rd Party
Smoke/CO Alerts Not a Primary Focus Included Core Feature

How to Replicate Alexa Together Features for Free

If you were a fan of the caregiving tools in Alexa Together, you do not necessarily need a paid subscription to continue using them. Most of these capabilities have been moved to the general Alexa ecosystem.

Setting Up the Activity Feed

In the old Alexa Together, the activity feed showed a high-level summary of a loved one's interactions with their Echo device. To replicate this today:

  • Open the Alexa App.
  • Navigate to Activity or History.
  • If you have permission to access your loved one's account (or if you are part of a shared Amazon Household), you can view the voice history to ensure they are active.
  • Note: This requires more manual oversight than the old automated dashboard, but it provides the same peace of mind regarding whether the person is up and moving.

Using Remote Assist

Remote Assist was a standout feature that allowed caregivers to set reminders or manage shopping lists on a senior's device. This is still possible:

  • Shared Lists: Create a shopping list in the Alexa app and share it with your loved one’s account.
  • Reminders: You can still set reminders for another person's device if you are logged into the app with the account associated with that device, or by using the "Communication" features to send announcements.
  • Drop In: This remains the most powerful tool for remote assistance. By enabling "Drop In" permissions on your loved one’s Echo Show, you can instantly appear via video to help them troubleshoot a problem or simply have a face-to-face chat.

Rebuilding the Circle of Support

The "Circle of Support" was a way to involve multiple family members. You can now replicate this by:

  • Adding family members as Emergency Contacts in the Alexa Emergency Assist settings (up to 25 people).
  • Creating a Group Chat or a shared Alexa Routine that sends a notification to multiple phones when a specific action is taken (e.g., "When Mom says 'Alexa, good morning,' send a notification to all siblings").

Advanced Setup: Fall Detection and Hardware Integration

For many seniors, fall detection is the most critical component of a smart home safety system. Alexa Together was famous for its integration with third-party sensors. This support continues under the new Alexa Emergency Assist umbrella.

Compatible Fall Detection Devices

Alexa does not have built-in camera-based fall detection. Instead, it relies on specialized hardware:

  • Vayyar Care: A wall-mounted, touchless sensor that uses radio waves to detect falls in a room (even in the dark or through steam in a bathroom).
  • SkyAngelCare: A wearable pendant that can trigger an Alexa emergency call when the button is pressed or a fall is detected.

When these devices detect a fall, they send a signal to the linked Echo device. Alexa then asks, "I've detected a fall. Do you want me to call for help?" If the user says "Yes" or remains silent, the Urgent Response agent is contacted automatically.

Choosing the Right Hardware

Based on our testing of various setups for senior care, the Echo Show 8 or Echo Show 10 are the superior choices for this purpose.

  • Visual Communication: The screen allows for much more effective "Remote Assist" than voice-only devices.
  • Large Text: You can increase the font size on the screen, making it easier for seniors to see reminders and weather updates.
  • Auto-Framing: On the Echo Show 10, the camera rotates to follow the senior, which is invaluable during a "Drop In" if the person is moving around the kitchen or living room.

Implementing Alexa Routines for Daily Check-ins

A "pro tip" for caregivers navigating the post-Alexa Together era is the heavy use of Alexa Routines. These are automated sequences that can act as your eyes and ears.

The "First Interaction" Notification

One of the best features of the old service was the "First Activity" alert. You can build this yourself:

  1. Open the Alexa App and go to Routines.
  2. Create a new Routine named "Morning Check-in."
  3. Set the trigger (When this happens) to Smart Home -> [Select a Motion Sensor in the kitchen] or Voice -> "Alexa, good morning."
  4. Set the action (Add action) to Send Notification to your phone.
  5. Now, every morning when your loved one starts their day, your phone will buzz, providing that familiar peace of mind without requiring a $19.99 subscription.

Is Alexa Emergency Assist Worth It?

Whether you should pay for the new service depends entirely on your risk assessment.

You should subscribe if:

  • Your loved one lives alone and has a high risk of falls.
  • You want the security of 24/7 professional dispatch that knows your address and medical history.
  • You want smoke/CO alarm monitoring to be part of the safety net.

You can probably skip the subscription if:

  • You are primarily interested in "Remote Assist" (setting reminders, checking lists), which is now free.
  • Your loved one is still highly mobile and uses a cell phone as their primary emergency contact method.
  • You are already using a different professional medical alert system (like Life Alert).

Privacy and Consent in the New System

One concern often raised by seniors is the feeling of being "watched." Amazon has designed the transition to Emergency Assist with these privacy concerns in mind.

  • Explicit Permission: To enable features like "Drop In" or "Remote Assist," the owner of the device must explicitly grant permission.
  • Visual Cues: When an Echo Show is being accessed remotely, a clear visual indicator appears on the screen, and a chime sounds.
  • No Recording: Emergency Response calls are not stored in the same way standard voice commands are, ensuring privacy during sensitive moments.

Conclusion

The retirement of the Alexa Together service marks a shift from a niche caregiving product to a broader, more affordable safety ecosystem. While the loss of a unified caregiving dashboard is a setback for some, the significant price drop of the emergency response component and the migration of caregiving tools to the free Alexa tier offer a more flexible approach for most families.

By combining the Alexa Emergency Assist subscription with custom Routines and the right Echo Show hardware, you can create a remote caregiving system that is actually more robust and cost-effective than the original Alexa Together service.

FAQ: Common Questions About the Alexa Together Shutdown

Can I still use my Alexa Together fall detection device?

Yes, most third-party devices like Vayyar and SkyAngelCare that worked with Alexa Together are compatible with Alexa Emergency Assist. You will need to link them again within the new service's settings.

What happened to my Alexa Together subscription after June 25, 2024?

Amazon automatically cancelled the subscriptions. Users were encouraged to sign up for Alexa Emergency Assist separately. If you had an annual plan, Amazon typically issued a pro-rated refund or credit.

Does the person I’m caring for need their own Amazon account?

Yes. For the best experience, the senior should have their own Amazon account tied to their Echo device. You then use the Alexa app on your phone to connect to their account via the "Communication" and "Emergency Assist" settings.

Is Alexa Emergency Assist available outside the United States?

Currently, Alexa Emergency Assist is primarily a U.S.-based service due to the requirements of integrating with local 911 dispatch and emergency response centers.

Can I add more than one caregiver to the notification list?

Yes. Alexa Emergency Assist allows you to add up to 25 emergency contacts. This is a significant upgrade from the original Alexa Together, which had a smaller "Circle of Support" limit.

Do I need an Echo device for Alexa Emergency Assist to work?

Yes, the person who might need help must have at least one supported Alexa-enabled device (like an Echo, Echo Dot, or Echo Show) in their home to initiate an emergency call or listen for alarms.