FAQ: Setting Up Escalation Contacts — Who Gets Notified?

Escalation contacts are the people your parent trusts to follow up when something might be wrong. When your parent misses their daily check-in on I'm Alive, these contacts receive an automatic alert so someone can reach out right away.

The power of escalation contacts lies in redundancy. If one person is in a meeting, another sees the alert. If one sibling is traveling, a neighbor can step in. By choosing the right mix of people, you create a safety net where your parent is never truly without someone looking out for them.

Setting up these contacts thoughtfully is one of the most important steps in protecting your parent. The technology sends the alerts. The people you choose respond to them.

The best escalation contact list includes a mix of people with different strengths:

• At least one local contact. This person can physically visit your parent if phone calls go unanswered. A neighbor, a nearby friend, or a local relative is ideal.
• Multiple family members. Siblings, cousins, or your parent's spouse can all be included. Spreading the responsibility prevents burnout and ensures faster response.
• Someone in a different time zone (if applicable). For families spread across the country or the world, a contact in a different time zone means someone is likely awake and available at any hour.
• A backup outside the immediate family. A trusted friend, a faith community member, or a long-time neighbor adds another layer of reliability.

Involve your parent in this decision. Let them choose the people they want on the list. When your parent trusts their contacts, they feel supported rather than supervised.

Adding escalation contacts in I'm Alive takes about thirty seconds per person. Open the app, go to the contacts section, and enter each person's name and phone number or email. You can add as many contacts as you like.

When your parent misses a check-in and the grace period expires, every contact on the list receives the alert at the same time. There is no delay between notifications — everyone is informed immediately so the fastest available person can respond.

You can update the contact list anytime. If a neighbor moves away, remove them and add someone new. If a sibling changes phone numbers, update their information in seconds. The list should reflect your parent's current support network, so review it every few months.

Receiving an alert does not necessarily mean something is wrong. Your parent might be in the garden, at a doctor's appointment, or simply running late. The alert means the check-in was missed, and someone should follow up to find out why.

Here is a simple response protocol your family can agree on together:

1. Call your parent. A quick phone call is the fastest way to check in. If they answer and everything is fine, no further action is needed.
2. Send a text. If the call goes to voicemail, send a text asking if they are okay. Sometimes a text is easier for your parent to respond to.
3. Contact the local person. If phone and text go unanswered for 15 to 20 minutes, ask the nearest contact to stop by in person.
4. Communicate with each other. Let the other contacts know once you have confirmed your parent is safe. This prevents multiple people from showing up at the same time.

Life changes, and your contact list should change with it. Set a reminder to review the escalation contacts every three to six months. Ask yourself these questions:

• Is every person on the list still available and willing to respond?
• Does the list still include at least one local contact?
• Have any phone numbers or email addresses changed?
• Has your parent's daily routine shifted in a way that affects who should be contacted?

Keeping the list current ensures that when an alert goes out, it reaches the right people. I'm Alive makes updating contacts simple — just open the app and make the changes. Your parent's safety network stays strong when you keep it up to date.