Back-to-School Check-In: Have You Called Your Mom?
I have worked in home care for more than twenty years. Every August, as backpacks come out of closets and the calendar fills with orientations, supply lists, practices, and early alarms, I find myself asking the same simple question to families I love and serve: Have you called your mom? Or your dad, your aunt, your neighbor who has become like family. Back-to-school season brings a fresh start for kids, but for many adults it also brings a heavier load. New routines can crowd out the most important check-ins, and our aging parents rarely raise their hands to say, “I need more help.”
This is the time of year I remind myself what first pulled me into home care. It was never just about tasks. It was about people feeling seen. It was about sons and daughters, stretched thin, who still want to be present. And it was about older adults who want independence without isolation. Back-to-school season is busy, yes, but it is also one of the best check-in moments we get all year. Let me tell you why.
The Sandwich Generation’s September Squeeze
If you are in your 40s or 50s, there is a good chance you are caring up and caring down at the same time. Pew Research found that Americans in their 40s are the most likely to be “sandwiched” between a child and an aging parent, with 54% of this age group supporting both directions.
That pull only gets tighter when school starts. More pickups, more practices, more papers to sign. Meanwhile, caregiving for an older adult is not a part-time favor. AARP reports that of the nearly 48 million family caregivers in the U.S., 61% are working and many provide 20 or more hours of care per week, which is essentially an unpaid part-time job.
And the scale of caregiving is enormous. “Caregiving in the U.S. 2020” estimates 53 million Americans provide unpaid care to a loved one. That means one in five adults is walking this road right now, often quietly.
When the bell rings in September, schedules change overnight. That is exactly when small cracks in an older adult’s routine can widen. Which leads to the second reason this season matters.
September is Falls Prevention Awareness Month
Here is a lesser-known calendar fact. Each September, organizations across the country spotlight falls prevention for older adults. In 2025, National Falls Prevention Awareness Week is September 22–26, led by the National Council on Aging and partners. The message is simple and hopeful: falls are not an inevitable part of aging, and many are preventable with a few smart steps.
The reason for this focus is sobering. Falls are the leading cause of injury for adults 65 and older. Each year, more than one in four older Americans reports a fall, and a single fall doubles the chance of falling again. In 2021, falls among older adults caused over 38,000 deaths. These numbers are not meant to scare you. They are meant to empower you, because prevention works.
Back-to-school is a perfect cue to look at home safety with fresh eyes. New shoes for the kids, new night-lights for the hallway. A backpack checklist, a bathroom grab bar. The habits you build now can carry your family safely into winter.
Loneliness Rises When Routines Shift
There is another risk that hides in plain sight. When kids head back to school and families settle into packed routines, older adults can feel more alone than they let on. Social isolation and loneliness are not just sad feelings. The CDC calls them a serious threat to mental and physical health, tied to higher risks for heart disease, stroke, dementia, depression, anxiety, and even premature mortality. About 1 in 3 U.S. adults reports feeling lonely.
A five-minute call can make a real difference. A Sunday visit can change the tone of an entire week. And when you cannot be there, consistent in-home care or respite care does more than “cover” a shift. It keeps connection alive.
Fall Health: Vaccines, Meds, and Appointments
Autumn is also the season we start hearing about flu clinics and health screenings. Older adults bear the greatest burden of severe flu disease. In recent years, the CDC estimates that 70–85% of flu-related deaths and 50–70% of hospitalizations occur among people 65 and older. A quick check-in now can help your parent schedule their flu shot and other recommended vaccines before the season peaks.
This is a smart time to review medications too. New schedules sometimes mean new meal times, exercise routines, or sleep patterns. A few tweaks can keep meds effective and reduce side effects that increase fall risk, like dizziness or confusion. The CDC’s fall-prevention guidance specifically encourages looking at medications that affect balance and blood pressure. CDC
What I Listen For on a Back-to-School Check-In Call
When I call an older adult I care about in September, I listen for little clues that point to bigger needs. Here are the quiet questions I keep in my back pocket, and you can too:
“What does your week look like now?” I listen for gaps that used to be filled by summer visitors or grandkid time.
“How is your sleep?” Changes in sleep or naps can signal mood changes, pain, or medication side effects.
“Any close calls?” Many older adults will not say they “fell,” but they will mention “almost” falls, dizziness, or moments when they grabbed a counter. Those “almosts” are red flags we can address.
“What feels harder than it used to?” Opening jars, doing laundry, stepping into the tub, keeping track of appointments. Small frustrations are invitations to support.
“Who is checking in on you besides me?” I want to know their circle. If there is a gap, we can help build one.
Why Respite Care Matters Right Now
Caregivers often tell me, “I am fine, I just need to get through this week.” I have said it too. But stress compounds, especially when the school year begins and every minute is spoken for. Respite care gives family caregivers short-term relief so they can rest, go to a meeting, attend a game, or take the other kids school-shopping without worrying. The National Institute on Aging describes respite care as time-limited help that supports the caregiver’s well-being while keeping the older adult safe and supported at home. That time to breathe can protect your health and make caring sustainable.
There is growing recognition that caregiver strain is a workforce issue as well. AARP notes that many employed caregivers are juggling work, medical tasks, transportation, and advocacy all at once. When families have reliable respite options, everyone benefits, including employers and kids who get more present parents at the dinner table.
A Simple Back-to-School Safety Sweep
If you want a quick, practical place to begin this week, try a 30-minute home safety sweep for your parent or loved one:
Lighting: Check bulbs and add night-lights from the bedroom to the bathroom and kitchen.
Floors and rugs: Clear clutter. Secure throw rugs or remove them.
Stairs: Confirm handrails are sturdy and extend the full length.
Bathroom: Add non-slip mats, consider a shower chair, and install grab bars where needed.
Medications: Review timing, side effects, and refill plans.
Footwear: Encourage supportive, well-fitting shoes with good traction.
Strength and balance: Ask about balance confidence. Explore fall-prevention exercise classes like tai chi through local senior centers or community programs.
Small changes layer up to big safety.
My Two-Decade Lesson
After twenty years in home care, here is what I hold onto every September. Families are resilient. Older adults are courageous. And the difference between worry and peace is rarely a grand gesture. It is usually a rhythm. A short call on Mondays. A scheduled grocery visit on Thursdays. A trusted caregiver on Tuesdays so you can make it to curriculum night with your fifth-grader. Routines that respect dignity on all sides.
If you are reading this and your shoulder just dropped an inch because you feel seen, that is your cue. It is time to call your mom. It is time to check in on your dad. And if you need help creating that healthy rhythm, we would be honored to be part of your team.
Ready for a Kinder, Calmer Fall?
Back-to-school does not have to mean back-to-overwhelm. Karis Care Services can step in with the respite care and in-home support that fits your new schedule, from a few hours a week to more comprehensive care. We will help with daily routines, fall-prevention checklists, medication reminders, safe transportation, and the everyday companionship that keeps loneliness at bay.
Schedule a call with Karis today. Tell us what is on your calendar this fall, and let us build a plan that gives you breathing room while your loved one stays safe, connected, and cared for. We know your time is spoken for. Let Karis provide the respite care you need so everyone in your home can thrive.
