How Lighthouse Call Works: The Simplicity of "Press 1 to Check In"

We designed our service to be incredibly simple and reliable, for both the family member who sets it up and the parent who receives the daily call. Here’s exactly how it works.

The core idea behind Lighthouse Call is to provide maximum peace of mind with minimal intrusion. It’s a delicate balance, and we achieve it by focusing on a simple, familiar technology: the telephone. There are no apps to install, no devices to charge, and no new skills to learn. Read more on why we believe in tech that feels familiar.

The process can be broken down into two parts: your experience as the subscriber, and your parent's experience receiving the call.

For You: The 3-Minute Setup

Our goal is to give you peace of mind, and that starts with a setup process that is quick and stress-free.

1. Create Your Account: You’ll start on our signup page, where you enter your name, email, and billing information.
2. Add Your Senior: You'll provide your parent's name and the phone number you want us to call. This can be a landline or a mobile phone.
3. Set the Schedule: Choose the time of day you'd like the daily call to be made (e.g., 9:00 AM). You can also choose the days of the week for the call.
4. Build Your Alert List: This is your "Care Circle." You are the first person on the list. You can add other contacts (like a sibling or a trusted neighbor) who should be alerted if a check-in is missed.

That’s it. Once you complete these steps, the service is active. We handle everything else from there.

For Your Parent: The 30-Second Daily Call

Your parent's daily interaction with Lighthouse Call is designed to be as brief and simple as possible.

1. The Phone Rings: At the scheduled time, your parent's phone will ring. The caller ID will show a consistent, recognizable number.
2. A Friendly Greeting: When they answer, they'll hear a clear, friendly voice. For example: "Good morning, this is your daily check-in from Lighthouse Call. Please press 1 to confirm you are okay."
3. They Press 1: Your parent simply presses the "1" key on their phone's keypad.
4. Confirmation and Goodbye: The voice will confirm the check-in was successful ("Thank you, have a wonderful day!") and the call will end.

This entire interaction takes less than a minute. It's predictable, easy, and respectful of their time and independence.

What If a Call is Missed?

The system only becomes visible when something is out of the ordinary. If your parent doesn't answer the call or doesn't press 1, our automated escalation process begins, notifying the people on your alert list in the order you specified.

By removing all complexity, we provide a service that works for everyone, regardless of their comfort with technology. It’s the simplest way to ensure a daily connection and provide a foundation of safety you can build on. Learn more about our core values in The Lighthouse Call Philosophy.