It can be dangerous to live alone. That’s why I started a ‘Check-in Club’ | Opinion

Do you live alone or do you know someone who does? Often, after years of taking care of others, living alone can be refreshing. However, no matter your age, living alone can be dangerous if a safety plan has not been established.

My 82-year-old sister in Kansas City, Mo. fell and was semi-conscious on her floor for days before someone drove to her home, found her and called an ambulance. She was injured and has been in a nursing home in bed or a wheelchair since then. Almost everyone I talk to has heard or experienced similar stories. These occurrences happen to younger people as well.

It doesn’t have to be this way. There’s a simple solution: establish a “Check-in Club.”

Two years ago, I moved to a new town. I told a new neighbor I was considering emailing my closest friends every morning saying, “I’m alive — are you?” We laughed, but decided that it sounded a little brutal. Plus, what would you do if they didn’t answer?

Since my friend lived directly across the street from me, we decided to open our shutters every morning. This would signal to each other that we were up and moving.

It was a nice feeling to get up each morning and see her shutters open. We were communicating without saying a word. Later, another, younger neighbor wanted to participate, so she and I text each other every morning. This is not an opportunity to chit-chat or tie up someone’s morning. It’s a simple check-in.

The fact is we all need to look out for each other, especially people who live alone. I decided to spread the word: It’s easy to verify if a person is alive and well.

Participants need to establish protocols from the beginning.

Design your group for the people who are participating.

Decide who will be your check-in partner or partners. It could be just one person — or many.

Establish how you will contact each other. Telephoning is one method, but it could result in a long conversation. Emailing or texting is more efficient.

Pinpoint the time of day you want to begin. If you like to sleep in occasionally, admit it — this is not a competition.

My friends and I simply text “Good Morning.” We might add a smiley face. The other responds in the same manner. That’s it, we’re done.

Perhaps they don’t respond. How long do you wait before you send a second text? Remember, this is your group. You establish the rules.

If they don’t answer the second text, what is the next step? Do you telephone? What if they don’t answer?

Is a knock on the door next or a call to their next-door neighbor or a relative? Do you have keys to each other’s houses? Telephone numbers for their relatives? How long do you wait before you call a relative or the police?

Agree upon the rules, and then you’re set. If something doesn’t work, you can adjust it. It provides a sense of peace to know that if something happens to you, another person will know and act on it.

What happens if one of you goes out of town? You might ask another friend to fill in your spot until you return, or just keep checking in.

For even better preparation, consider taking a CPR class. What if you found your neighbor unconscious? It happened to me when one of my sons was 10 years old. Thanks heavens I knew CPR.

Keep your eyes open and your cell phone charged. Consider carrying around a portable charger. You never know when life might toss a challenge in your direction.

If you live alone, form a Check-in Club as soon as possible. The life you save may be someone you care about — or it might be your own. It’s also a way to stay close to those who care for the most, each and every day.

Jody Brady, a mother of two and grandmother of five, recently moved to Folsom, after living in Auburn and Walnut Creek. She owned businesses in fitness and advertising for 35 years.