Alerts are optional notifications to people in the support network — by phone, text, or email — when someone does not respond to a scheduled reminder or wellness check after the configured retries. You can run reminders without alerts; many households add one to three alert contacts for peace of mind.

This guide covers the repeat reminder and check-in service only. For how delivery and alerts fit together end to end, see how repeat reminders and check-ins work.

Why are alerts useful?

Alerts can:

  • Indicate that a specific task (for example medication) may not have been completed, because the reminder was not acknowledged.
  • Indicate that the person receiving the service may need a welfare check, because a wellness check was not answered.
  • Do both, depending on how each schedule is set up.

They are not required. A service receiver can receive reminders or wellness checks only, with no one else notified.

If you have not started yet, you can compare reminder and check-in options before adding anyone to the alert list.

How do alerts work when something is missed?

After each scheduled slot, CareCalls tries to reach the person on their primary number (and, if configured, a second number on the retry). By default that is two attempts, 10 minutes apart — both can be changed per person.

Only when every attempt for that slot fails do alerts go out. Each alert uses the channel you chose for that contact (phone call, text, or email). Alert content includes the time of the missed delivery and identifying details for the person receiving the service.

For parallel vs sequential alerting (“at the same time” vs “one after the other”), see the alert section in how the service works.

How many alert contacts can I add?

You can configure up to three alert receivers for each person receiving the service. Each slot is one delivery method to one person in the support network (for example “text to daughter’s mobile” or “email to son”).

How do I set up alerts for the first time?

When you set up a new service, you add schedules on call details, then build the support network, then choose alerts on the roles step.

  1. Complete call receiver details and call details (times, messages, phone or text delivery).
  2. On support network, add anyone who should receive alerts (family, friends, or professionals). Each person needs the phone numbers or email you want to use later. The next screen explains how each person will be involved.
  3. On roles, under Who should receive alerts? (optional), choose Add alert receiver for each contact (up to three). For each slot, pick the alert delivery method (phone call, text, or email to a specific number or address shown in the list).
  4. If you add more than one alert, choose whether alerts should be sent At the same time or One after the other (sequential alerts ask each person to confirm they will check in; email alerts do not wait for a reply — many families put email last).
  5. Finish the rest of setup (personalized messages, payment, or reports if shown), then complete the summary.

If you set up the service for yourself (self-referral), alerts require someone else in the support network — you cannot alert yourself. Add at least one other person on the support network page first; the roles screen will prompt you if no alert options are available.

How do I change alerts on an existing service?

  1. Open support network and add or edit people, phone numbers, and email addresses as needed.
  2. Open roles. Under Who should receive alerts?, add, remove, or change alert receivers and delivery methods (up to three).
  3. Update At the same time vs One after the other if you use more than one alert.
  4. Save the form.

Reports and payment responsibilities are on the same roles page when you manage an existing service; they are separate from missed-delivery alerts.

What will each alert look like?

  • Text (SMS): a message listing the time of the missed reminder or wellness check and the service receiver’s name and number.
  • Phone: a spoken alert with the time of the missed delivery and the service receiver’s number.
  • Email: similar details in the message body.

Exact wording follows your account’s alert templates; the important point is that contacts can act quickly with time and identity included.

Share with alert contacts: Send people a link to why they received an alert if they were not told about the service before the first text, phone, or email — it explains CareCalls and what to do without needing setup knowledge.

Tips before you rely on alerts

  • Add alert contacts on the support network before expecting them in the alert dropdown.
  • Match mobile numbers if you want text alerts; landlines can be used for phone alert calls.
  • Read how repeat reminders and check-ins work so retry timing and second-number behavior match what you expect.
  • If you use personalized messages, remember deliveries for those slots wait until recording is complete — alerts only apply once reminders are actually running.