Often people informally count on a neighbor to stop in and check, particularly if they travel. CCRCs have similar, more formal, buddy systems and/or meal check programs for independent living residents to personally do a visual daily check. Both are simple mutual support arrangements.

If you don’t have them, intentionally creating them makes sense. Couples routinely provide it for each other, but that stops when one passes. If you wait until a worried family member insists, it is likely to be uncomfortable. It’s best to take the initiative early and do it on your own terms.

Monitoring and ‘check in’ tools evolve constantly. The simplest medical alert systems react to a summons and dispatch emergency aid for accidents like falls. They aren’t personal, visual, or routine. Some include security systems, with limited medical monitoring, and disguised as jewelry. They remain dispatch systems priced like home security systems at $25 plus per month.

Smartphones are multiple steps closer to the personal and visual check in. They can bundle two-way visual interaction, sophisticated medical equipment, monitoring personal biometrics, built in motion and location detection, along with libraries of inexpensive apps for both Apple and Android (They are also portable if you travel or move, and let you access your health records.)

Apple, Alphabet, and Amazon bring different expertise and equipment to the challenge. They can provide video (and virtual) interaction, data from medical equipment or phone for an informed check-in or medical discussion. During the Pandemic telemedicine (as well as WhatsApp, FaceTime, Google Duo and ‘Zoom’ calls) advanced dramatically. The CMS provided Medicare waivers that enabled hospitals to operate remotely in people’s homes.

Putting the framework in place and using it lets you tailor the routine support you want for when you need it.