When to request one
Request a wellness check when you can't reach your parent, you have tried every number and anyone nearby, and something feels wrong: they missed a call they always take, they sounded confused, or they have a health condition that can change quickly. If you believe it is an emergency, call 911 instead.
How to request a wellness check, step by step
- Find the non-emergency number for the police or sheriff where your parent lives. Search the city or county name plus "police non-emergency."
- Have the details ready: full name, age, address and unit number, phone numbers, health conditions, medications if relevant, and when you last spoke.
- Explain why you're worried in a sentence or two.
- Say who has a key, or whether there is a lockbox or gate code. This can prevent a forced entry.
- Give your number and ask them to call you back either way.
What happens next
An officer or deputy goes to the home and knocks. If no one answers and they believe someone inside needs help, they may enter. They will usually call you back to tell you what they found. Response times vary with how busy the area is.
How to avoid needing one
Most welfare check requests come from families who simply couldn't reach a parent. A few things lower the odds:
- A neighbor or friend nearby with a key who agrees to knock first.
- A louder ringer or amplified phone, and a phone in the room where your parent spends the day.
- A daily call at the same time, so a missed call is noticed within the hour, not the next day.
Where a daily wellness call fits
Premium Care Wellness Checks calls your parent every day at the same time. If they don't answer, we try every number, send a text, and call your family contacts in the order you choose. We only take a further step, like requesting a welfare check from the local non-emergency line, if you have authorized it in writing ahead of time. See the full escalation plan. You may also find what to do when an elderly parent isn't answering the phone useful.
Common questions
Is a wellness check free?
Police and sheriff welfare checks are generally free. Our daily wellness calls are a separate private-pay service.
Can I request a wellness check if I live in another state?
Yes. Call the non-emergency line where your parent lives and give their address.
Will my parent be upset by a police visit?
Some are. That is one reason families set up a neighbor with a key and a daily call, so most missed calls are resolved before police are needed.
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.