Wellness Check Request Helper

In an emergency, call your local emergency number now. This page is for the moments that are worrying but not yet an emergency: a parent who always answers has gone quiet, the curtains have stayed shut, or a neighbor has not been seen for a couple of days. In that situation you can ask the local police to visit and make sure the person is okay. In the US and Canada this is usually called a wellness check; in the UK and Australia it is a welfare check.

Who it is for

It is for adult children who live far from a parent, friends and neighbors of someone who lives alone, and anyone who has never had to make this call before. When you are worried it is hard to think clearly, so this helper does the organizing for you.

How to use it

1. Choose the country where the person lives to see which number to call.
2. Fill in what you know: their name, address, age, health conditions, when you last heard from them and why you are worried.
3. Press "Write my script" and read it out when the call is answered, or copy it into a message.
4. Write down the reference number and ask when you can expect a call back.

Before you call, try once more yourself and ask anyone nearby, such as a neighbor or building manager, to knock. Nothing you type is sent anywhere. For a fuller guide, read how to request a wellness check for an elderly parent and what to do when an elderly parent is not answering the phone.

Officers handle many of these calls, and clear facts help them decide how quickly to go. Give the exact address, mention any health conditions, and say plainly what is out of character, such as a missed daily call.