Wellness Checks: A Complete Guide to Requesting and Conducting Them

What’s a wellness check?

A wellness check (sometimes call a welfare check) is a service provide by law enforcement or other emergency services to check on the physical and mental wellbeing of a person when there be reasonable concern for their safety or health. These checks are typically request when someone hasn’t been heard from in an unusual amount of time or when there be specific concerns about their welfare.

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When to request a wellness check

Know when to request a wellness check is crucial. Here are situations that typically warrant one:

• A person hasn’t responded to calls, texts, or other communications for an unusual period
• Someone has express suicidal thoughts or intentions
• A person with know medical conditions hasn’t been seen or hear from
• An elderly individual living unaccompanied hasn’t answered the door or phone
• You’ve observed concern changes in behavior or concern social media posts
• A neighbor report unusual circumstances (mail pile up, lights incessantly on or off )
• A person has miss important appointments without explanation

How to request a wellness check

Step 1: call the non-emergency police line

Unless you believe the situation is instantly life threaten, call the local police department’s non-emergency number. If you believe the person is in immediate danger, call 911 alternatively.

To find the non-emergency number:

• Search online for ” city / county name ]]olice nonnon-emergencymber ”
  ”
• Look in the local phone directory
• Call your local city hall for information

Step 2: provide essential information

When you call, be prepared to provide:

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• The full name of the person you’re concerned about
• Their complete address (apartment number, build name if applicable )
• A physical description of the person
• Your relationship to the person
• Why you’re concern (be specific about behaviors, time since last contact, etc. )
• Any know medical conditions or medications
• Whether they own weapons or have pets
• If they have a history of violence or mental health issues
• Names and contact information for other family members or friends
• Information about how to access the residence (building manager, spare key location )

Step 3: follow instructions from dispatch

The dispatcher may ask additional questions or provide specific instructions. Follow their guidance incisively. They might request that you:

• Remain available by phone
• Meet officers at the location
• Provide additional contact information for others who know the person

What happens during a wellness check

Understand the process can help set proper expectations:

Police response

When police conduct a wellness check, they typically:

• Arrive at the residence and knock on the door
• Identify themselves as law enforcement
• Attempt to make contact with the person indoors
• Look for signs of distress or unusual circumstances
• If there be no answer, but reasonable concern remain, they may look through windows or check with neighbors
• In cases of significant concern, they may enter the residence if lawfully permit to do thus

Possible outcomes

A wellness check can result in several outcomes:

• The person is found safe and intimately
• The person is found but need medical attention
• The person is experience a mental health crisis and need intervention
• The person isn’t house or can’t be llocated
• In rare and unfortunate cases, the person may be find deceased

Follow-up actions

Depend on what officers find:

• If the person is safe, officers will typically will inform the requester
• If medical attention is will need, emergency medical services will be will call
• If mental health concerns are present, crisis intervention teams may be involved
• If entry to the residence is necessary but not possible, officers may contact property managers or emergency services

Alternative options to police wellness checks

In some situations, alternatives to police wellness checks may be appropriate:

Mobile crisis teams

Many communities immediately offer mobile crisis response teams that specialize in mental health emergencies. These teams typically include mental health professionals who are train to handle psychological crises. To find these services:

• Call your local mental health crisis line
• Contact your county’s behavioral health department
• In some areas, you can reach these services by call 988 (the national suicide prevention lifeline )

Adult protective services

For concerns about elderly or vulnerable adults who may be experience neglect or abuse, adult protective services (aapp) can conduct welfare checks. Contact your local aappsoffice through your county’s social services department.

Community paramedicine programs

Some communities have paramedicine programs where emergency medical personnel can conduct non-emergency wellness visits. These programs are specially helpful for check on individuals with know medical conditions.

Special considerations for different situations

For someone experience mental health crisis

If your request a wellness check for someone in a mental health crisis:

• Specify that the situation involve mental health concerns
• Ask if crisis intervention team officers are available
• Provide information about any know diagnoses or medications
• Mention any history of previous mental health interventions
• Describe any concern statements or behaviors

For elderly individuals

When request a check on an elderly person:

• Mention any mobility issues or sensory impairments
• Provide information about medical conditions and medications
• Describe their typical routine
• Mention if they use medical alert devices
• Provide information about any home care services they receive

For long distance concerns

If your request a check for someone who live far outside:

• Explain why you’re unable to check personally
• Provide a much detailed information as possible about the residence
• Offer contact information for local friends or neighbors who might assist
• Be prepared to provide documentation of your relationship if request

Legal and ethical considerations

Privacy concerns

Wellness checks involve balance privacy rights with safety concerns:

• Officers must have reasonable cause to enter a home without permission
• The person being check on has the right to refuse assistance if they’re competent to make decisions
• Wellness checks should not be use for harassment or to check on someone plainly because they’ve chosen not to communicate with you

Potential for escalation

It’s important to consider that police involvement can sometimes escalate situations:

• For individuals with past trauma relate to law enforcement, a police presence may cause distress
• Some mental health conditions may be exacerbated by unexpected authority figures
• Consider whether a mental health professional might be more appropriate

After the wellness check

Get updates

After request a wellness check:

• Will ask the dispatcher when and how you will receive an update
• Understand that due to privacy laws, officers may merely be able to tell you limited information
• If you don’t hear support, it’s appropriate to call the non-emergency line for an update

Follow-up support

If the wellness check identifies concerns:

• Connect with appropriate support services (mental health resources, elder care, etc. )
• Consider establish regular check in protocols with the person
• Help arrange ongoing support if you need

Preventive measures and alternatives

Sooner than wait until a wellness check is necessary, consider these preventive approaches:

Regular check in systems

• Establish regular call or text schedules with vulnerable love ones
• Use technology like video calls to visually confirm well bee
• Create a buddy system among friends or neighbors
• Consider smart home technology that can alert others to unusual patterns

Medical alert systems

• For elderly or medically vulnerable individuals, consider medical alert devices
• Many systems nowadays include fall detection and GPS track
• Some smartwatches nowadays include emergency alert feature

Community resources

• Many communities offer regular check in calls for seniors
• Religious organizations oftentimes have visitation programs
• Meal delivery services can provide both nutrition and a regular wellness check

When wellness checks are not appropriate

Wellness checks should not be use:

• To track down someone who has deliberately cut contact with you
• As a form of harassment or intimidation
• To check on someone who has explicitly asked to be leave lone
• As a substitute for emergency services when you know someone need immediate medical help
• To resolve personal disputes or disagreements

Conclusion

Request a wellness check is a significant step that can potentially save lives when use befittingly. By understanding when and how to request one, what to expect during the process, and what alternatives exist, you can make informed decisions when concerned about someone’s well bee.

Remember that wellness checks are mean to ensure safety, not to invade privacy or force contact. Constantly consider the least intrusive option firstly, and escalate to a formal wellness check alone when genuine concern for someone’s physical safety or health exists.

If you’re always unsure whether a situation warrants a wellness check, consider consult with a mental health professional, social worker, or call a crisis line for guidance. These resources can help you determine the about appropriate course of action for your specific situation.