Given the sadsadsas news about the Hackmans,

[irisblue]

Have you/your family members arraigned a proof of life phone tree/daily check in?

My siblings & set up one for my Mom a few years back. We kids kept it up even after Mom passed

[birdographer]

1. I have often thought of that

Unfortunately, I have no one to set it up with. I think there are websites that you check into once a day, but again, their response if you don’t is to call your designated person to physically come check on you. No family, and closest friend lives across the country (and I’m not sure I would use her).

[irisblue]

3. I live in Ohio, the rest of my biologics live in Michigan, so several hours away

I do find that I carry my cell phone life a life alert device. A friend sewed a pouch for me to carry my phone around my neck if I am not wearing pockets. That gives a little comfort.

[GopherGal]

8. I guess I actually do something similar...

when I had some surgery and was on opiate pain relievers, I carried my phone around the house in a fanny-pack/crossbody bag. Long since off the pain-relievers, I still tend to carry my phone from room to room (and particularly into the bathroom) with me.

There are lanyard-style phone holders available on Amazon and a single-lady friend of mine asked for one for Xmas. I bought it for her, but the reviews online aren't super good, so I won't link it here. They also make water-proof phone pouches (for watersports and such)

[no_hypocrisy]

2. Not exactly, but similar.

My father was 93, widowed, and lived alone. I moved in with him, but I was out of the house a lot.

And my father also had a recent history of setting a fire that almost destroyed our home.

So, I went to the local Police and asked that I be contacted ASAP if either they, the Fire Department, EMS, etc. were called to our address at any time. I left my name and cell number for registration.

And it worked. My father sensed he was having a heart attack and called 911. Emergency Squad arrived at the house and took him to the nearest ER. I was called right away and went to the hospital.

And I was able to notify my siblings right away too.

I recommend everyone with an elderly family member and/or spouse to do what I did. Quick registration.

[slightlv]

6. We had it a bit easier with my Mom...

there's only the three of us kids. We made sure we were in each other's Contacts list, and each of us was to call Mom at some point each day. If one of us couldn't get hold of her, we'd contact the other two kids and one would be designated to check on her. Usually that designee was me, since I worked in the city where she lived, and I could take off for a few minutes for an emergency, if needed. Luckily, Mom only lived 5 minutes from the front gate. I also checked on and fixed Mom supper when I got off work, and my sister did it on the weekends. My brother is a guy... he left everything up to me and my sis, of course.

[Hope22]

4. When my mom made a business move leaving grandma in another city

In the days of long distance charges they set up a system. At 8am one would call and let the phone ring twice and the other would return the call ringing twice. This signaled all was good at each end and implied ‘good morning’. They did this for many years.

[lamp_shade]

5. Yes.

[ShazzieB]

7. We don't need to do that at this point.

My husband and I live together and are still capable of looking out for each other. However, I'm sure there will come a time when we will need to set up something like that with our daughter, when one of us dies and the other is left alone, if not sooner.

[question everything]

10. We were wondering how come no one would notice that something was wrong

Wouldn’t they have regular visits from a house cleaner, or a dog walker, or grocery delivered?