Want peace of mind that someone will know if you need help?  Snug Safety is a free, friendly daily check-in service for people living alone. 

The app is simple and easy to understand, no matter how comfortable (or uncomfortable!) one may be with new technology. It works on an iPhone and the Android smartphone.  

It's my personal check-in buddy that I've used for well over two years. It gives me the confidence knowing someone has my back and is looking out for my safety.  

Fortunately, the app is on my iPhone so there's no need to wear anything around my neck or anywhere else!! All that's required is a push of this green check-in on my iPhone screen every morning and I'm good to go! 

Snug Safety offers several options to fit your needs.
1. Free version - just sign up and you are good to go.
2. Get the Dispatch Support 

If you subscribe to the paid version, use my affiliate code solo 10 to receive a 10% discount for the first year.

It’s so simple:

Just sign up by downloading Snug Safety from the App Store, then choosing your emergency contacts and daily check in time.

Snug pings the user at their chosen time every day, prompting them to visit the app to “check in.”

When you check in, you receive an inspirational Quote of the Day and the 24 hour timer resets. If the user does not check in, Snug Safety initiates an alert.

For users on the free plan, like me, Snug Safety will send each of your emergency contacts a text message saying that you have missed your check-in.

For users on the Snug Dispatch plan, a Snug dispatcher will call your cell phone and ask if you are alright.  If you do not pick up, they will leave a voicemail with a callback number. They will then proceed to call every one of your contacts, in order. If you have not checked-in by a certain time, and the dispatcher does not have confirmation that you are okay, or that one of your emergency contacts will check on you, they will dispatch a wellness check to your last known location.

To me, the Snug app brings a lot more light heartedness than any other check-in or alert out there.  You can learn more at snugsafe.com.  Over 400,000 check-ins so far, and featured on Forbes, Sixty and Me, and Senior Home Central.

But like anything, apps have their limits and each of us needs to know our health conditions and to learn the deficiencies of a product before we rely on one to keep us safe. Just make sure it addresses and meets YOUR needs. 

Article is by Carol Marak, Solo Aging Advocate and Advisor, founder, the Elder Orphan Facebook Group, CarolMarak.com and the Solo and Smart YouTube channel  This column is provided by Mennonite Home Communities of Ohio, the area’s trusted senior care provider.  For more information visit mhcoliving.org or call 419-358-1015.