Looking out for a parent who lives alone, with their say-so
When a parent lives on their own, a quick sign that all is well matters more than a dot on a map. Orbily gives them easy ways to say so — a check-in, an SOS that reaches the whole family at once — and gives you a kind way to ask, while they stay in charge of what they share.
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How it plays out
- Sunday
Priya lives two hours from her mum, Margaret, who is 78. She sets up a family orbit and invites Margaret and her brother by email. Margaret joins, and chooses to share her location with the two of them.
- Most mornings
Margaret checks in from home with a quick good morning. It appears on the family map and in the chat, and its location is removed after a day.
- Wednesday, 11am
No check-in yet, so Priya asks her mum to check in, with an hour to answer. Margaret answers from the garden centre, and only Priya sees the reply.
- Later that month
Priya asks Margaret for a safety boundary around home and the high street. Margaret sees the area and the times, talks it over with her son, and accepts. She knows she can switch it off whenever she wants.
- If something goes wrong
Margaret knows where the SOS button is. One tap starts a ten-second countdown, then Priya and her brother are both alerted with where she is, and each can see whether the other is already responding.
What helps
How can I check on an elderly parent without being intrusive?
Let them choose. Your parent decides whether to share their location live, on a timer or not at all, and a check-in or an answer to your request tells you they are fine without a map being watched all day. Everything Orbily shows about them, they can see too.
Does Orbily call for help in an emergency?
No. Orbily alerts the people in your orbit; it is not an emergency service and does not call one. If someone is in danger, call 999 in the UK, or your local emergency number, first.
More questions about ageing parents
Yes. Orbily is an app for iPhone and Android, so everyone in the orbit needs one.
No. Every safety boundary is a request. Your parent sees the exact area and times, decides, and can switch it off at any time.