SMS wellness check-ins
Automated text message check-ins keep tabs on your loved one between visits.
How check-ins work
You configure a schedule and simple questions such as "How are you feeling today?" or "Did you take your morning medications?" At the scheduled time, Senior Support Resources sends a text message to the care recipient's phone. Their response is logged and visible to the entire care circle. The system analyzes responses for concerning keywords or sentiment changes. This creates a lightweight daily connection that catches problems early, especially for seniors who live alone.
Setting up check-ins
Navigate to Settings > Check-Ins and click "Set Up." Enter the care recipient's phone number, choose the schedule (daily, twice daily, or specific days of the week), and customize the questions. You can have up to five questions per check-in session. Questions should be simple enough to answer with a few words via text message. Good examples: "How did you sleep last night?" "Did you eat breakfast?" "Any pain today?" Avoid open-ended questions that require long responses.
Alerts and escalation
If a check-in response mentions concerning words like pain, dizzy, fell, or confused, the care circle receives an immediate alert. If there is no response within a configurable window (30 minutes, 1 hour, or 2 hours), that also triggers an alert to the primary caregiver. You can set up escalation rules: for example, if no response after 1 hour, alert the primary caregiver; if no response after 2 hours, alert all care circle members. This provides a meaningful safety net between in-person visits.
Requirements and availability
The care recipient needs a basic cell phone that can receive and send text messages. A smartphone is not required. SMS check-ins are included with your Senior Support Resources account at no cost during the current beta period. Standard text messaging rates from the recipient's carrier may apply. The care recipient should understand why they are receiving the messages and be willing to respond, so have a conversation with them before enabling check-ins.
Tips
Keep questions short and simple so they are easy to read and answer. Schedule check-ins when your loved one is typically alert and near their phone. Start with once daily and adjust based on how they respond. Let them know the messages are coming from the family care app and that their answers help the family stay connected. Review check-in responses weekly to spot gradual changes in mood or health status that might not be obvious in any single response.