The three kinds of check-in service
- Free automated calls. Many police departments, sheriffs and agencies on aging run telephone reassurance programs: a computer calls at a set time and your parent presses a button. If no one answers, a contact is notified. See free and paid telephone reassurance programs.
- Check-in apps. Your parent taps a button on a smartphone each day. They work well for tech-comfortable seniors and not at all for those who aren't.
- Live check-in calls. A trained person calls, has a real conversation, and notices things a button press can't, like confusion, a cough, or skipped meals. That is what we provide.
What a good check-in service should include
- The same time every day, so your parent expects the call.
- A written plan for missed calls: how many attempts, how far apart, and who gets called next.
- A record you can see, so you know the call happened and how your parent sounded.
- Clear limits. A check-in service is not medical care and not an emergency service. Be wary of any service that implies otherwise.
What it costs
Government-run automated programs are often free. Private live-call services charge a monthly subscription. Our plans are $49 a month for one call a day, $89 for two and $129 for three, seven days a week, with the first week free and no contract. A second person in the same home can be added for $39 a month. See plans.
Questions to ask any provider
- Who makes the calls, and what training do they have?
- What exactly happens, minute by minute, when my parent doesn't answer?
- How will I hear about each call?
- Can I pause calls for a hospital stay or a trip?
- How do I cancel?
Our calls are made by Care Callers trained by our own team and supervised by a registered nurse. We call anywhere in the United States.
Common questions
Is a check-in service the same as a medical alert system?
No. A medical alert works when your parent presses the button. A check-in call reaches out to them every day, which catches the days they can't or won't press a button. Many families use both. See check-in calls vs. medical alerts.
Does insurance pay for a senior check-in service?
Ours is private pay. We do not bill Medicare, Medicaid or insurance.
Can I try it before committing?
Yes. The first week is free, and you can cancel any time.
Please note: Premium Care Wellness Checks is a non-medical telephone reassurance service. It is not medical care and not a substitute for 911, a physician, or a medical alert device. In an emergency, call 911.