An open suitcase being packed for a trip

Stories / Family far away

Can I go on holiday when my parents live on their own?

Mr and Mrs Lau, 80 and 77, live on their own. Their daughter Michelle is in Japan.

“This year we went on holiday, and I didn't spend it worrying.”

Michelle, their daughter

What happened

Every trip, Michelle half expected a call she couldn't do anything about.

  1. A bright front hallway with a staircase and a door
    4:30 pm

    Mrs Lau is at the market. Mr Lau slips in the hallway.

  2. 20 seconds later

    Michelle's phone in Hokkaido shows an alert. So does her brother Jason's.

  3. An older couple sitting together outside their home
    4:40 pm

    Jason calls his mum at the market. She's home in ten minutes.

What you can do

  1. Before you go, ask a relative or neighbour nearby to join the alert list.
  2. Make sure your phone gets alerts abroad: roaming on, or Wi-Fi where you stay.
  3. Leave a list of their doctor, medicines and who holds a spare key.
Read the guide Supporting Aging in Place: A Family Guide to Home Monitoring Technology
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