Idiots guide (place to share tips) for contact proof and proof of life

[Lamelie]

Not a taat, although I’ll link to this thread there…
Over the years I’ve seen threads where elderly relatives living alone are uncontactable. Obviously in a crisis is not the best time to go through the daily text/ key safe/ neighbour details that would resolve this. So please add your ideas for avoiding such a scenario. I’m not talking about how many times do you chat to your granny or dealing with relatives with Alzheimer’s/ reduced capacity etc. just black and white, “shit, is she dead and short of calling the police what can I do?”

Have neighbours’ names and phone numbers
Have a key/ key safe/ know code
Daily phone call/ text/ more subtly do wordle/ worldle
Know priest/ shopkeeper/ pub staff

Please add!

Among some procedures in place we have a daily papery delivered, the delivery firm will contact us if paper from day before still there.

We didn't ask neighbors but one time they also saw paper there at lunch time and contacted us, they didn't have our numbers but remembered where my sister worked, so we made sure to give them all our contact details.

Replaced the screws on door chains with shorter ones ( needed for one ep with very advanced Altzimers and occasional wanders- though they are not very physically strong ) so a sharp shoulder to door will remove it , as other parent has only mild cognitive issues but more physical issues and has fallen and has been unable to get up.

Have replaced one window lock with a lock that can be opened from outside in case they fall behind door. While parent wont give us spare keys , window key seemed to be ok, not sure why, maybe seen to be emergency only.

I've heard about a device that tells you when the kettle is used, a subtle kind of spying!