Is there an app or service for people living alone that alerts someone if the loner doesn’t check in?

Hi! I recently launched an app called Doing Fine that is available in the AppStore for iphones.(Soon we'll have Android!) . It's for exactly this situation. Very easy to install and set up and easy to use. Basically you set up check-ins with a friend or loved one and if you check-in it sends a text saying you've successfully checked in and if you don't check-in it sends a text saying you've missed a check-in and something may be wrong. There is no GPS tracking on our app because we value your privacy. Check it out at DoingFineApp.com
And I'd love to know what you think...we're building apps to help people feel connected and this is the first!

I just looked up the kitestring app. I had never heard of it. Apparently there are several apps like this. One app even screams loudly. Interesting.

http://www.call-reassurance.com

SeniorCall.aspx

worried: My late mother lived in a medium-sized New England town. They had on staff at the COA an elder case worker as well as a social worker. But it was standard practice for the police dept. to do well being checks for those elders living alone. Especially if no one has seen the elder in some time or they expect foul play, the fire dept. WILL BREAK DOWN THE DOOR. I do understand that certainly some towns/cities do NOT have the resources to do routine checks. That is just one town's protocol.

One time towards a year or so before I had to leave my state and move in to my mother's house in a state 7 states away from mine, I almost had to have the fire dept. BREAK DOWN HER DOOR. I would call her every day, sometimes multiple times a day. On one particular day, I knew that she had picked up the receiver, but she NEVER SAID HELLO! I asked her why - her response - "I was getting situated." I said not to do that any more as I thought you were on the floor, passed out!

Sign up with kitestring. It’s free.

My mother has it set up if the power goes out either the police or fire department will come to her house and check on her. She wouldn’t be able to use her phone if the power goes out to call me. Also, I bought her a cell phone and showed her how to use it but she always has trouble with it. It’s hard to teach a 95 year old to use a cellphone and also she never kept it charged. The battery was always drained.

Find others in your circle of friends and acquaintences and arrange for everyone to call someone daily. I did this when I lived alone in the Pocono Mountains. There were at least 3 people who checked on me and I checked on them. It doesn't take long - and if anyone doesn't answer the phone, you can always go check on them.

You might be able to have this done through your place of worship too. I don't know - you'd have to ask.

I am again alone, but enough people see me on a daily basis to know I am alive. I walk my dog 4X a day, lol.

So many great ideas! Still, human contact that is initiated from others will be the best strategy as no one ever knows when the detour into short-term memory issues and dementia begins. The person themself will not necessarily know it, and they can act or appear "competent" when someone asks them a general question, like, "Is everything ok?" Easy for them to say "Yes" when it's not true at all. They aren't lying, they just don't know or remember what is the truth. I called every day to ask my MIL what she ate that day and she gave me very detailed info. When I went to her home her fridge was full of spoiling food and her kitchen garbage pail had nothing in it. She really thought she had eaten.

Get a med alert button - best deal is the 5star that you can buy at Wmart and set it up online with all your contacts info. It has gps, too, in case someone is trying to locate you (you'd have to give them permission to check your account). You don't have to have a base unit in your house - those have limited range. No matter where you are or what you're doing, you can push the button and get help very, very quickly! Excellent for anyone who lives alone or who may travel alone.

I found two check in services online. You might want to read up on these. iamfine and snugsafe

You could also work it out with a neighbor or a grandkid. If you know how to text - just send a 'good morning' every morning at same time. that way no one was interrupted to talk, all they had to do was read the text. ---just make sure you do it with someone who checks their phone every day and would tell someone if they had not heard from you. --- neighbor (if you know one) is the best deal because they pay attention to your front door opening, curtains opening, car being moved or not, garbage cans set out.

Just like the "Help buttons" you can push if you fall or are incapacitated, an app would require you to be conscious in order to use it.

Having a friend call each day who would alert 911 or the police if you did not answer or respond within an arranged timeframe is helpful. You might get together with another loner to exchange calls so you both get checked on.

As llamalover suggests, some towns have police or fire dept. well-being checks that call to check on seniors who live alone.

If you set up a call schedule of some kind, remember to alert your call-in buddy if you won't be home at the usual call in time so your buddy doesn't panic and call 911 unnecessarily!

Many towns offer a "wellbeing" check for elders that is performed by the police and/or fire depts.

My mother would get calls everyday at a certain time to do a check in. This was provided by the city.

Yas, there is. In my state, there is a program called contact reassurance where a volunteer from the program calls the person everyday. Med alert necklaces also have an alert button to press should you fall or becomenill. Lastly, the agency responsible for aging services in your state may also have programs to assist you.

I also live alone and do not have any daily contact with anyone. My sister calls once or twice a week, and I call her from time to time, but nothing on a regular schedule. Also retired. I know this may sound rude, but I figure that if I die here at home, hopefully someone will notice the smell sooner or later. Or, my sister will try to call and after two or three tries will have the police come over for a check. I agree with the Lifeline type service in case of a fall or such. They now have sensors that detect if you fall. The only other suggestion is to have some friends who care enough to keep in touch with you on a daily basis. Hope this helps some. I need to follow some of my own advice.

Kitestring is an excellent free app (free if you just want to check in with one person; for a small monthly fee it will notify three people). Check it out on Kitestring. Io

What about a "Lifeline" type service? That would at least work in case of a fall. Think some can detect your position, so don't need to press button. However you must wear a pendant or wristband. Also MOW is great for providing "well being" checks as well as food. Don't think MOW delivers on weekends and some services are not daily as they will provide a few frozen dinners to be used on those off days.

Regarding setting off car alarms.

Someone suggested that to Dad and he thought it was a great idea. However the person who made the suggestion did not know where Dad lived for part of the year. On a small island on an acreage, with seasonal neighbours. The one full time neighbour also worked full time. Luckily Dad did not have to put the idea into practice.

Setting off car alarms and talking to Alexa, assume that a person is conscious.

I am happy to hear that Posties will still hand deliver mail. It is a great way to do an unobtrusive wellness check.

My former mil had three friends she would email by 10 am each day. If she did not reply to their emails, they would get hold of me. If she had computer problems, I would email them to let them know.

Our neighbor has told us that if shes in trouble she will click her alarm button on her car key so her car alarm sounds, if we hear it, please come over and check on her. Ive heard it twice in 3 years. I have another friend that uses her Alexa in a similar way. I dont have an Alexa so not sure how it works. Good luck, I hate that you are so alone.

If there are no apps that would work, looking for a church or senior service that would make check-in calls is a good idea. Or could you arrange with a friend from the gym or one of the groups you meet with to exchange check up calls. I currently have this arrangement with my own sister. If she were not available, I would look for a church group or a senior service to do this.

I have heard of some senior centres that have people [volunteers] who make daily calls & if no answer then there is a process

This may show that you are a bit isolated - as a new retiree start checking out what is available to get you out more where your absence would be noted

I heard of 2 sisters who would phone each other at 9:00 AM every day even if it was 1 minute just to know they were fine but most calls were longer - can you do this with a friend or family member & they don't need to live in same town with much cheaper/included long distance rates now

Although there are lots of motion sensors out there, I'm not aware of a system set up to alert on "no motion". When I worked and left the home before my mother got up, I had a motion detector on her bedroom door setup to send an text message when the door opened. If I didn't get one by 9:00a, I called her. I'm sure you can get some detector to meet your needs, but you may need to engage a monitoring service or person to get the protection you desire.

If you have friends and family with cell phones you can create a group message and text the group every day. Include the date so they know it's current and not a message that's been delayed. "Hi, it's Frances checking in on Nov 19, 2019. Have a great day!" And request a response so you know they got it.

Simple. Uncomplicated. Something everyone in your circle can do without installing or buying anything.

Found a couple, I don't know how much they cost but maybe these are what you are looking for?

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.chkincam.fall&hl=en_US (Check in and fall alert)

https://snugsafe.com/ (Calls you once a day to check up on you)

There are companies that offer paid check-in services, such as the CARE senior calling program, and IAmFine.

If you are eligible for meals on wheels, then I would sign up. MOW will check up on people once a day and provide a hot meal.

its called a roommate

In Australia the Red Cross conduct a volunteer based programme where a person calls you every day to make sure you are OK

I was a city mail carrier. There were several individuals along my route that we knocked, opened the door, called in “Are you okay today?” Placed the mail where we were previously instructed, and reported back to the postmaster. In our area, country mail carriers also meet special needs for individuals who cannot walk to their mailbox. I know that special arrangements can be made. I would also connect with the Commission on Aging if one exists in your community as well as a local church if you are affiliated with one. Lastly, there are several electronic devices, one you wear around your neck, that alerts someone to check on you immediately. I hope this is helpful.
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In my area you can make arrangements with the local police for check-in calls.

You must have a computer or a phone to be participating in this e-conversation, so use it to say “good morning”
to several friends (the same ones) each day when you rise. It will be a pleasant way to begin the day, and you’ll all be safer.