teleCalm -- Support for Caregivers

teleCalm stops problem calls for families living with cognitive challenges.

Our landline and cell phone service empowers family caregivers to stop late-night calls, repeated calls, 911 abuse, and elder fraud -- while reducing social isolation and family stress.

For a great home phone solution, there's teleCalm Caregiver. This service works with regular home phones and replaces the existing landline service provider.

Our teleCalm Mobile service works with your loved one’s existing Android smartphone and current carrier. The service includes the teleCalm Dialer app, which installs directly on their smartphone and replaces the default dialer.

Both services are managed remotely by the family caregiver using the teleCalm Caregiver app.

Checkout our website at teleCalmProtects.com to learn more and see how we can help solve your phone-related challenges.

About teleCalm

teleCalm improves the quality of life for families and caregivers living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias. We provide safe phone service for seniors living at home, in assisted living, and memory care communities. Our customers experience life-changing benefits for the senior and reduced caregiver stress.

How is teleCalm® safe home phone service different than other phone services?

teleCalm® is the safe phone service solution for seniors. teleCalm currently offers two levels of stress-free home phone service for seniors, both designed to stop problem calls and keep seniors connected with family and friends.

What is the basic difference in teleCalm Trust and Caregiver?

The teleCalm Caregiver service solves common challenges faced by caregivers and their loved ones. The service helps seniors maintain their independence, reduces isolation, and helps caregivers prevent everyday problems such as late-night calls, repeated calls, 911 abuse, and 100% of telemarketer/scam calls. At the heart of teleCalm’s service is the Caregiver app. Family caregivers subscribe to the phone service for their loved one, replacing any existing phone service provider. The family caregiver manages all the features and benefits of the service remotely through the teleCalm Caregiver app. See how Caregiver provides extra protection.

The teleCalm Trust service is designed for independent seniors and filters out robocallers before they have a chance to ring through to the senior’s phone. Our Trust service learns over time who your loved one’s trusted contacts are based on their calling habits. See how teleCalm Trust works.

Will this replace the current home phone service?

Yes, teleCalm phone service replaces current home phone service, often times for less money than the current basic phone service. teleCalm also has simple pricing. All taxes and fees are included in the monthly pricing.

Is internet required to have teleCalm service?

No, internet is not required to have teleCalm service.

Can I keep my current phone number, or the phone number of my loved one?

Yes, teleCalm can transfer (port) the existing number of your loved one to teleCalm. Please note there is a $5 port charge and the transfer process can take up to two weeks. You MUST keep the current phone service until the transfer is complete. During that period, you can forward the current phone number to your new, temporary teleCalm number and begin using it right away.

How do I transfer or port a phone number?

To transfer a phone number to teleCalm, you must complete a Letter of Authorization (LOA) provided by teleCalm and provide a complete copy of a recent phone bill. Once submitted, the port process can take two weeks. Do not cancel the existing service during that time, as you can lose the phone number.

Does the number have to be ported over immediately, or can we decide to do that later?

You can use the teleCalm provided phone number as long as you like, and then port your old phone number over when you are ready, as long as you have not canceled your old service. If you decide to port the old phone number, follow the instructions on our Porting page. 

What if my loved one does not have a phone number?

If you don’t have an existing phone number, or don’t want to transfer a current number, teleCalm be happy to give you a new number when you sign up.

I have the recommended photo phone. How do I program the photo phone buttons?

To program the recommended photo phone, follow these steps:

1. Turn the switch on the back of the phone to Normal.
2. Take the handset off hook.
3. Press the STORE key.
4. Dial the number you want to add.
5. Press the STORE key again.
6. Press the photo key you want to program (0-9 keys).
7. Hang up the handset.
8. Turn the switch on the back of the phone back to One Touch (if you want the phone to only be able to call the programmed numbers).

Does teleCalm support using more than one phone?

There are two ways that you can use two phones:
1. Where you plug the phone into the back of the teleCalm Adapter, you can plug a phone line splitter, which would allow you to plug in two different phone line cables, which would then attach to each phone. These are available on Amazon.
2. However, the preferred way is: Use an expandable cordless phone system, with a base station and an extension.
Here are two examples; one with an answering machine; and one without an answering machine.

Does teleCalm protection work on mobile cellular telephones as well as home telephone lines?

Currently, teleCalm only works on home phones. We are developing a solution for mobile phones and will be testing it in the near future.

Can I install teleCalm myself?

Yes, it’s very simple. Click here to watch a video on installing the teleCalm adapter. Also, an installation guide is included with your teleCalm adapter.

How soon can I start using teleCalm once I sign up?

Once you sign up for teleCalm service, your teleCalm adapter is configured and shipped within a few days. Since teleCalm adapters come plug-in ready, you can begin using the service as soon as you’ve completed a few installation steps and can hear a dial tone.

Can the teleCalm service move locations if my loved one moves?

Yes, the teleCalm service can be moved with your loved one. Please contact us to update the end user’s address, so that their 911 address is correct.

Does teleCalm provide 911 service?

Yes, we provide 911 service. During signup, you will be asked to provide the physical address of the end user. The physical address provided is used to route the 911 call to a local emergency response center.

What happens when my loved one calls 911?

1. If your loved one dials 911, it will immediately connect to the 911 operator in their area based on the address provided during sign-up.
2. A text message will also be sent to you, notifying you that 911 was called.
3. The teleCalm Rules Engine will be turned OFF automatically to make sure any 911 operator or other emergency services can call back and reach your loved one (you will be notified of this in the text message).
4. The Caregiver app will show that 911 was dialed on the Dashboard and the History screen.
5. Once you are confident the emergency is over, you will need to TURN ON the teleCalm Rules Engine again under Settings, Enable the teleCalm rules engine. You should also turn the Enable Outgoing Call Rules back on as well if you are limiting outbound calling  (suggested).
6. Also Note: You can safely verify that 911 is working by dialing 922 from your loved one’s phone. This will connect to the 911 servers and the computer will read back the 911 address that is on file. It will also simulate the notification text messages to your cell phone.

Does 911 service work during a power or internet service outage?

911 service will not function in the event of a broadband or power outage, or if your broadband, ISP or teleCalm service is suspended or disconnected.

Will my loved one only receive calls for the contacts created in the Caregiver app?

Yes, provided the teleCalm Rules Engine is turned ON in Settings (default setting).

How does Repeat Dialing work?

The repeat dialing feature will automatically detect when your loved one starts calling the same contact over and over again, within a specified period of time, and block those outgoing calls. You can even be notified that the feature has been activated. See the blog post “Repeat Dialing Feature Promotes Peace of Mind” for more detail on how it works.

How does Quiet Hours work?

The Quiet Hours feature helps curb late night calls, and disruptive calls during work hours. The feature lets you set up two different ranges of time that your loved one is blocked from making outgoing calls. You can record a personalized message for your loved one in your own voice, reassuring them. For example: “Mom, it’s really late and we are asleep. Please call back in the morning. Or if you need to wake me, press 5 on your phone.”

You can also enable or disable the “press 5 to dial out.” When turned on, your loved one can press any key to connect their call, even during quiet hours.

How many people can use the Caregiver App?

Multiple family members can use the app. You just have to share the log in information of the primary family caregiver with them.

Can I disable the teleCalm “calling rules” at any time?

Yes, through our mobile Caregiver app you can disable and enable the teleCalm calling rules in the Settings screen. When you disable the teleCalm calling rules, it becomes a standard home phone service. Telemarketers and scammers can now easily reach your loved one.

How many minutes are included in my plan?

Your teleCalm service includes unlimited calling minutes and no long-distance charges.

Do you offer voicemail?

With teleCalm Caregiver service, here is how voicemail works, with Enable Voicemail turned ON from the Settings screen:

• All strangers will immediately be sent to Voicemail on the Caregiver app. Your loved one’s phone will not ring.
• All contacts will ring straight to your loved one’s phone, however, if they don’t answer in the 30 seconds it rings (longer than normal phone service), the call will transfer to Voicemail on the Caregiver app.
• Any blocked callers will not be given an opportunity to leave a voicemail.
• You can modify the default outgoing voicemail messages from the Settings screen. There is a different message for Contacts and Strangers.
• You can listen to voicemails from the Dashboard, by selecting the voicemail icon on the top right of the screen.
• If you want your loved one to be able to receive messages, you can use a telephone with answering machine functionality built in, or a standalone answering machine.

With teleCalm Trust service, we currently do not offer voicemail as most of our customers prefer cordless home phone systems that already have voicemail built in. You can use a telephone that has the answering machine functionality built in, or a standalone answering machine.

What phones do you recommend?

Although we don’t sell home telephones, we have strong opinions on different models based on years of experience serving seniors and listening to our customers. If you want a great landline replacement or home phone for yourself or somebody you love, we want to share the benefit of our experience. We hope you find this review of our favorite senior phones useful.

Are my credit card transactions secure?

Yes, all the information you enter and submit is secure. We use the highest level of security for all online transactions. teleCalm uses Stripe, securely processing billions of dollars a year for thousands of businesses.