FAQs
What is Callgivers™?
Callgivers™ is a live companion call service. Our professionally trained staff provide socially isolated adults with wellness support and companionship through regularly scheduled and meaningful phone conversations.
Callgivers™ is not an automated daily check-in call service.
How does Callgivers™ work?
Callgivers™ makes social connections simple. When subscribing for yourself or a loved one, customers answer basic questions and choose how many days per week they would like to receive companion calls. Once we receive your information, we contact you directly via phone to answer a few additional questions (e.g. hobbies, career, goals of service). At this time, we will ask you to identify at least one emergency contact.
Our goal is to provide subscribers with calls exactly when they want them. We also want to make the perfect Callgiver™ match. Should any issues arise during our service (e.g. subscriber does not answer phone after repeated attempts or subscriber is in distress), our Callgivers™ will notify designated emergency contact(s) immediately.
Why should I or someone I love subscribe to Callgivers™?
Callgivers™ allows socially isolated and lonely adults to reap the benefits of human interaction from the safety and comfort of their homes. Socially isolated and lonely adults are at risk for mental and physical decline. For homebound or lonely adults seeking companionship, Callgivers™ offers an alternative to – as well as support for – caregivers who attend to personal needs. For a fraction of the cost of home care, our Callgivers™ ensure that you or your loved ones have moments of joy, inspiration, and laughter each day.
Our Callgivers™ can also communicate important information to family members or designated emergency contacts about their loved ones’ immediate needs (shopping, transportation, etc.). Family members of subscribers value these updates so that their loved ones can continue to live safely and independently for as long as possible.
Our subscribers include:
Homebound seniors
Adults who have suffered loss (widowed or divorced and/or whose children live out of town)
Disabled adults
Adults suffering from mental conditions such as depression and anxiety
Veterans
Residents of Life Plan Communities (a.k.a. Continuing Care Retirement Communities, or CCRCs)
Residents of Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs)
Family caregivers
Any adult who seeks human connection but is limited by physical or mental limitation
Any adult who seeks a human connection!
How do I sign up?
Callgivers™ subscription form collects basic information and asks the number of days per week you or your loved one would like companion call(s). Once your form is received, our staff will follow up and ask brief questions about you or your loved one; this intake questionnaire includes hobbies, interests, pet(s), career(s), and what your goals for our service are. This information allows us to best serve our subscribers by making successful Callgiver™ matches.
Still unsure whether this service can benefit you or a loved one? That’s perfectly okay. Just say hello by calling us at 1-855-4CALLGIVERS during business hours (9 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST) or email us (hello@callgivers.com), and we are happy to discuss our service and its benefits to you.
What days and times will my Callgiver™ call?
Callgivers™ calls on the days subscribers ask us to call, during the designated timeframe. Our Callgivers™ want to reach you or your loved one, so selecting the days of the week and best time of day are essential for receiving the best service.
Callgivers™ operates in all U.S. time zones. Our service hours are not our business hours. This means our Callgivers™ can call you day or night with the exception of 11 p.m. – 7 a.m. in your U.S. time zone.
How long do phone calls last?
Callgivers™ phone calls are limited to 15 minutes. If you or your loved one would prefer lengthier calls, we are happy to customize your minutes so that our phone calls can last as long as you would like.
Just contact us at 1-855-4CALLGIVERS during business hours (9 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST), or email us (hello@callgivers.com) to discuss customized minutes.
What is Callgivers™ Oral Memoir?
At Callgivers™, we believe that every person’s story is historic and significant. With time, our memories take on new meaning and perspective, and our families and friends will value and cherish our histories, in our voices.
If you choose to add a Callgivers™ Oral Memoir to your plan, your Callgiver™ will guide you from childhood through adulthood, capturing your unique history. Subscribers can add photographs and favorite music, and your Callgivers™ Oral Memoir will be a professionally created, beloved keepsake for generations to come.
Our senior subscribers have found retelling well-intact stories to a new audience (i.e. Callgivers™) who share their interests and passions to be incredibly empowering.
Because pricing of Callgivers™ Oral Memoirs varies, contact us via phone (1-855-4CALLGIVERS) during business hours (9 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST) or email us (hello@callgivers.com) at any time to learn more.
How are subscribers matched with Callgivers™?
Our intake phone call is incredibly helpful in choosing your ideal Callgiver™. We pride ourselves on hiring employees from diverse backgrounds, with various interests and passions. Careers, hobbies, favorite sports teams, types of movies and music…all of these interests are tagged and sorted so that we can produce a successful match.
And, if our match isn’t the best one on the first try, we try again. We only want subscribers to be comfortable and happy with their Callgiver™.
How are Callgivers™ professionally trained?
A prerequisite for becoming a Callgiver™ is that the person enjoys talking on the phone. That’s it. Once we’ve established that, we provide our Callgivers™ with skills training in effective communication and active, empathetic listening.
Our Callgivers™ are not licensed medical and/or mental health professionals, and Callgivers™ is not a health care provider. But, all of our training has been developed with the input, support, and review of mental health professionals and crisis counselors. Why? Because the founders of Callgivers™ are committed to giving users the best daily phone call experience possible. And to achieve that, we need our Callgivers™ to be able to create a safe emotional space for subscribers, speak clearly and directly, and listen actively and empathetically without judgement. Callgivers™ must also be able to recognize when a subscriber is in distress and in need of emergency assistance.
How soon after I subscribe will my calls begin?
We require a minimum of 48 hours to identify the best fit Callgiver™ whose schedule is open for your requested days and times. So if you subscribe on a Monday, we will be able to place your first call as early as Wednesday.
Does the same Callgiver™ call me every time?
Ideally, yes, you or your loved one will have the same Callgiver™ every time. But there are occasions when your Callgiver™ is unavailable. When that happens, another Callgiver™ will serve as a substitute. And we also have subscribers who prefer multiple Callgivers™ and regularly have two to three Callgivers™ call them during the month.
What do I talk about with my Callgiver™?
There is no script. Subscribers can talk about whatever they want. Our job is to listen and support. But when there are times of silence or unexpected emotion, our Callgivers™ are prepared to prompt subscribers with questions and topics of conversation, or redirect so that you are your loved one returns to an emotionally safe space.
What happens when the subscriber doesn't answer the call?
When calls are unanswered, Callgivers™ will make repeated attempts within the subscribers’ chosen timeframe. If a connection does not happen, Callgivers™ will reach out to the emergency contact(s) on file, informing them that no contact was made.
We encourage all subscribers to include emergency contact(s). Having a local family member or a neighbor as a contact is also recommended, especially for vulnerable subscribers, so that someone can physically check in on loved ones when phone calls do not go through.
What will my Callgiver™ do if there is an emergency during a call?
Our Callgivers™ are trained to reach out to all emergency contact(s) in the event of any emergency. If a subscriber is under duress or experiencing physical trauma (e.g. a fall or chest pains) during a phone call, our Callgivers™ will contact 9-1-1, keeping your loved one on the phone, and provide first responders with the information requested.
While Callgivers™ is operating remotely, we want subscribers and their families to know that we will provide as much support as we can over the phone.
Can my Callgiver™ email my family with updates?
Absolutely! Email updates are wonderful for family members who live far away or who can’t be with their loved ones throughout the day. Our state-of-the-art phone system allows Callgivers™ to email subscribers and loved ones immediately following each call.
Can a Callgiver™ make sure my loved one is taking his or her medication?
Because we are a companion call service, our Callgivers™ are not able to promise that subscribers have taken their medication when indicated. However, our Callgivers™ can certainly ask subscribers questions regarding their medication (e.g. “Mary, did you take your 10 a.m. medications today?” or “Mary, did your caregiver hand you your medications at 10 a.m.?”). And, we can report any information requested to designated family members.
Is Callgivers™ online talk therapy?
No, Callgivers™ is not online talk therapy. We are not licensed mental health or medical providers. Callgivers™ provide check-in and wellness support services as well as phone companionship. Our goal is friendship.
Does Callgivers™ offer medical or financial advice?
No, Callgivers™ cannot offer medical or financial advice. However, if subscribers express medical or financial concerns that are new or alarming, our Callgivers™ will reach out to designated family members.
Is my personal information private?
Yes, our technology meets HIPAA compliance standards for privacy and security. Even though Callgivers™ do not dispense medical advice, we know that our subscribers and their loved ones may have health-related issues that they want to communicate. Our subscribers also may be socially isolated due to medical conditions. For these reasons, we want our customers to know that their information is kept safe and private.
Callgivers™ does not sell personal information of subscribers or designated family members, neighbors, or friends to anyone.
Why are phone calls recorded?
Callgivers™ phone calls are recorded for quality assurance and safety purposes. We want subscribers and family members to feel comfortable that Callgivers™ are treating you or your loved one with the respect, care, and compassion they deserve.
What if I want to try a new Callgiver™?
Changing or adding Callgivers™ is easily done. Subscribers or their family members simply have to call our office (1-855-4CALLGIVERS) during business hours (9 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST) or email us (hello@callgivers.com) at any time, and we will find a new or additional Callgiver™ for you.
What if I want to cancel Callgivers™?
If you are unhappy with our services, you may cancel at any time by calling our office (1-855-4CALLGIVERS) or emailing us directly (hello@callgivers.com). Our service will end at the start of the next billing cycle, no more than thirty (30) days from the date of cancelation.
What if you haven’t answered all of my questions?
Additional questions or concerns? Please just call our office (1-855-4CALLGIVERS) during business hours (9 a.m. – 5 p.m. EST) or send us an email (hello@callgivers.com), and we are happy to help. All inquiries are responded to within 24 to 48 hours.