Families
Daily check-in calls for a loved one who lives alone
Your mom lives on her own and is doing fine, mostly. You’d like to know she’s alright each day without it turning into a chore for either of you. A check-in call is one way.
Published
What a check-in call is for
A short, friendly call at a time that suits them: how they slept, what they’re up to today, whether they need anything. It gives them someone to talk to and gives the family a little news each day.
Start with their say
Ask first, and let them choose the time. A call they agreed to feels like company; one they didn’t feels like being watched. If they want the calls to stop, they should stop.
Who can make the calls
Family taking turns works well until life gets busy. Some communities and faith groups run volunteer calling programmes, which are worth asking about locally. Automated check-in services can call every day at the same time, and tell the family if something comes up.
What it is not
A check-in call is not medical care, and it is not an emergency service. If your loved one might fall and be unable to reach a phone, ask their doctor or a local agency about a medical alert device as well.
Making it work
Keep the calls short and regular. Agree what the family hears afterwards, and who gets told if something is wrong. And keep calling them yourself: a check-in call adds to that, it doesn’t replace it.
How Larkella helps
Larkella’s care check-in makes friendly calls to a loved one, up to three a day at the times the family chooses, and sends a short note after every call.
The family is told straight away if they mention an emergency, a fall or a scam. Your loved one has their own local number to call any time, and stays in charge: if they don’t want the calls, the calls stop.
It is a friendly check-in, not medical care or an emergency service.
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