Most missed calls between families and aging parents aren't about distance — they're about phone settings nobody thought to check. Here are five quick fixes that make a real difference.

1. Turn Off Silent Mode (Seriously)

It sounds obvious, but it's the number one reason older adults miss calls. Many phones get bumped to silent in a pocket or purse. Check the physical switch on iPhones or the volume buttons on Android — and show your loved one how to check it themselves.

2. Save Key Family Numbers as Favorites

Both iPhone and Android let you mark contacts as Favorites. When Do Not Disturb is on — which often gets turned on by accident — Favorite contacts still ring through. Add yourself, a sibling, and one neighbor.

3. Enable Location Sharing With One Trusted Person

Google Maps and Apple's Find My both allow ongoing location sharing. It takes two minutes to set up and means you can check where they are without calling and worrying when they don't answer.

4. Increase the Ring Volume and Ring Duration

Default ring volume is set for a 30-year-old in a quiet office. For an 80-year-old in a living room with the TV on, it needs to be near maximum. Some carriers also let you extend ring duration before voicemail picks up — call your carrier and ask for 30 seconds instead of the default 15–20.

5. Set Up an Emergency Contact on the Lock Screen

Both iPhone (Medical ID) and Android (Emergency Information) let you display an emergency contact on the lock screen — no unlock needed. If a stranger finds your loved one confused at a store, they can call you directly.

None of these take more than five minutes. Do one today, and the next one tomorrow. By the end of the week, reaching your loved one gets dramatically easier.