Call Reassurance
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Call Reassurance or CARE is an automated phone communications technology developed by Database Systems Corp. that calls seniors and homebound residents to ensure their well being. These calls are daily checks for seniors who are living alone and wish to be contacted in case something happens to them and they are unable to request emergency assistance on their own. Seniors subscribe to this service in their local communities which have CARE systems. Subscriptions vary among communities, but most are free to the CARE recipients.
A CARE system is a computerized phone system with embedded computer telephony integration boards capable of making automatic phone calls without human intervention. Calls are made from a list accumulated and maintained by a community administrator. This list includes the CARE recipient name, address, and phone number. Optionally included are "keyholders", or friends and associates of the subscriber that the CARE responders can contact if they need to enter the home of the subscriber when no one answers the call.
CARE telephone systems are provided to many communities throughout the U.S. and are typically maintained by local police departments, fire departments, or community service organizations. They are also available in some private, senior service organizations.
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[edit] CARE calls
Care subscribers are called at a predefined time of day, every day. These calls are made automatically by the CARE phone system. If the CARE subscriber answers the call, a pre-recorded message is played greeting the subscriber and asking "Are You OK?". The subscriber presses an acknowledgement phone key if everything is OK. If the subscriber does not answer the phone or an answering machine is detected, the CARE system calls back one or more times. If there is still no answer, an alert process begins.
[edit] CARE alerts and response
CARE alerts begin a process of contacting family members or the police department or local community services group that is tasked with followup when a CARE subscriber does not respond. This individual or group is referred to as the CARE responder. If a responsible friend or family member is contacted, an acknowledgement must be received by the CARE responder that the subscriber is OK or needs assistance. If no acknowledgement is received or if a family member could not be contacted, the CARE responder will take action.
Normally the CARE responder will attempt to call the subscriber again before making a house call. If there is still no answer, the CARE responder will visit the subscriber's home to see if they are in need assistance.
[edit] CARE advantages
- Frees community personnel - Care responders only need to be contacted when an alert is generated.
- Volunteers not required - Automated system is not limited by the number of available volunteers.
- Assured call - Each CARE recipient is assured of a daily call.
- Consistent call - Each call is made at the same time each day.
- Assured response - CARE system automatically escalates a no response call.
[edit] CARE disadvantages
- False alarms - Care responders often visit a resident who simply failed to answer the phone or was away from home.
- Impersonal call - Automated calls lack a personal touch and do not provide a friendly contact.
