What Are Wellness Checks, and Why Are They Important?
#3 Tip: Find Neighbors To Do Wellness Checks.
Talk to friends and neighbors living locally who might be able to do wellness checks from time to time. Exchange contact information with two or three who are reliable and willing.
What is a Wellness Check?
Whether you’re taking care of someone suffering from a short term or long term condition you probably want to be able to quickly discover if they are okay. A wellness check is an in-person visit to determine the mental or physical wellbeing for someone who is “acting out of character.” Wellness checks, also known as welfare checks, can be done by the local police or by a family member, local friend or neighbor.
Having a chat with your loved one about neighbors, friends and family in their area that they trust can go a long way toward making wellness checks a welcome event rather than a frightening or frustrating one. A friendly face is more likely to get more likely to:
• Bring a smile to your loved one’s face. • Be trusted with their real feelings and worries. • Know enough about what’s normal to notice when things are off.
Of course, if you believe something dangerous is happening at your loved one’s home, consider calling the police first. Be ready to give the police department a solid reason for concern regarding their safety. To request a police welfare check, call your loved one’s local police department’s non-emergency line.
The police will need some basic information.
- Tell them who you are
- How to contact you
- Why you are concerned
- The address they should go to.
Each police department has their own guidelines for welfare checks so requirements may be different. Generally speaking, welfare checks are a normal task in a police officer’s day.
How to Check for Symptoms of Self Neglect
A welfare check may not be the right method for answering concerns you have for your loved one. Conditions such as depression, aging, and a disability that increases over time may mean your concerns are about subtle changes. Subtle changes leading to self-neglect may only be noticed by those who know your loved one well and can spend some time in their home (coffee and conversation, a shared meal). That’s where local neighbors, family, and friends are invaluable. Here are some things they can look for and alert you to.
Easily Spotted Symptoms of Self Neglect
- Hoarding
- Failure to take essential medications or refusal to seek medical treatment for serious illness
- Leaving a burning stove unattended
- Poor hygiene
- Not wearing suitable clothing for the weather
- Confusion
- Inability to attend to housekeeping
- Dehydration
Next Steps:
Our next tips describe things you can do when your loved one needs “feet on the ground” assistance. Subscribe to our newsletter to make sure you don’t miss a tip. Download our wallet card template to keep you in touch with your loved one’s neighbors.
