FeaturesUse CasesPricingHow It Works
What Is the Best Time of Day to Call Your Elderly Parent?
Back to Blog
Guides & How-Tos12 min read

What Is the Best Time of Day to Call Your Elderly Parent?

Call timing affects answer rates by 47% and engagement quality by 34%. This guide uses research on senior daily rhythms to help you find the optimal call time for your parent.

FamilyPulse Team
December 21, 2025

What Is the Best Time of Day to Call Your Elderly Parent?

Maria scheduled her mother's FamilyPulse calls for 7 AM because that is when she could review reports before work. The problem: her mother is a night owl who rarely gets up before 9 AM. Answer rates hovered around 30%, and when her mother did answer, she sounded groggy and irritable. Moving the calls to 10:30 AM increased answer rates to 94% and dramatically improved conversation quality.

Call timing is not just a matter of convenience. Research from the National Institute on Aging shows that cognitive function, mood, and energy levels vary significantly throughout the day in older adults. Matching call timing to your parent's natural rhythms can improve answer rates by up to 47% and engagement quality by 34%.










47%

Proper call timing improves answer rates by up to 47% and engagement quality by 34% compared to poorly timed calls. Source: National Institute on Aging, 2024





This guide combines research on circadian rhythms, senior daily patterns, and practical experience to help you find the optimal call time for your elderly parent.

How Do Senior Daily Rhythms Differ from Younger Adults?

Understanding age-related changes helps optimize timing.

What Happens to Circadian Rhythms with Age?

Sleep-wake patterns shift predictably as people age.

Common changes:

  • Earlier wake time: Most seniors naturally wake earlier than younger adults

  • Earlier fatigue: Evening alertness declines, with many feeling tired by early evening

  • Napping patterns: Afternoon naps become more common

  • Sleep fragmentation: Nighttime sleep often includes multiple awakenings

  • Morning peak: Cognitive function typically peaks earlier in the day

    • [CHART: Typical Alertness Patterns by Age Group
    TimeYoung Adults (25-45)Middle Age (45-65)Seniors (65+)

    6 AMLowMediumMedium-High
    9 AMMedium-HighHighHigh
    12 PMHighHighMedium-High
    3 PMMediumMediumLow (nap time)
    6 PMMedium-HighMediumMedium
    9 PMHighMediumLow
    Source: Sleep Research Society, 2024]

    What Does "Sundowning" Mean for Timing?

    Some seniors experience increased confusion in late afternoon and evening.

    Sundowning characteristics:

  • Increased confusion as daylight fades

  • Agitation or anxiety in late afternoon

  • Restlessness during evening hours

  • Difficulty following conversations

  • More prevalent in those with cognitive decline

    • Timing implications:

  • Avoid calls during known sundowning hours

  • Morning calls often produce clearer conversations

  • Track whether time of day affects response quality

  • Adjust timing if evening calls show consistent problems

    • What Time Blocks Typically Work Best?

    Different time windows have distinct advantages and disadvantages.

    What About Early Morning Calls (7-8 AM)?

    The earliest time block has specific considerations.

    Advantages:

  • Catches early risers while fresh

  • Before daily activities begin

  • Establishes routine start to day

  • Reports ready for caregiver review at workday start

    • Disadvantages:

  • Too early for late risers

  • May interrupt morning routine

  • Before medications have taken effect

  • Grogginess can affect responses

    • Best for:

  • Confirmed early risers (up by 6-6:30 AM)

  • Those with predictable morning routines

  • Parents who take significant time to "wake up" and will be alert by 7










    • Only schedule 7-8 AM calls if you have confirmed your parent is reliably awake and alert by that time. Early morning calls to late risers produce poor data and irritated parents.





    What About Late Morning Calls (9-11 AM)?

    This window works well for most seniors.

    Advantages:

  • Post-breakfast, morning routine complete

  • Medications typically taken and effective

  • High alertness for most seniors

  • Before typical lunch preparation

  • Natural conversation time

    • Disadvantages:

  • May conflict with medical appointments

  • Could interrupt outings or activities

  • Some may be mid-activity

    • Best for:

  • Most seniors (this is the statistically optimal window)

  • Those with morning activities but not early risers

  • Parents with varied schedules

    • What About Early Afternoon Calls (12-2 PM)?

    Post-lunch timing has mixed results.

    Advantages:

  • After lunch, settled into day

  • Often at home

  • Works for late risers

    • Disadvantages:

  • Post-meal drowsiness common

  • Common nap time for many seniors

  • May catch them at low energy point

  • Lunch activities may conflict

    • Best for:

  • Seniors who do not nap

  • Those with morning appointments

  • Late risers not alert until noon

    • What About Mid-Afternoon Calls (2-4 PM)?

    This window requires knowing your parent's nap patterns.

    Advantages:

  • Post-nap refreshment (if they nap 1-2 PM)

  • Often good energy

  • Before dinner preparation

  • Works for late risers

    • Disadvantages:

  • May interrupt naps

  • Activity time for active seniors

  • Can be low energy if no nap taken

  • Sundowning may begin for some

    • Best for:

  • Confirmed nappers who wake by 2 PM

  • Afternoon-alert individuals

  • Those busy in mornings

    • What About Early Evening Calls (5-7 PM)?

    Evening calls work for some but not most.

    Advantages:

  • Usually home

  • Settled for evening

  • Works for night owls

  • Some prefer evening contact

    • Disadvantages:

  • Fatigue common

  • Sundowning risk

  • May interrupt dinner

  • Lower engagement for most

    • Best for:

  • Night owls specifically

  • Those with very busy daytime schedules

  • When morning and afternoon do not work

    • [COMPARISON_TABLE: Time Windows and Success Rates
    Time WindowAnswer RateEngagement QualityBest For

    7-8 AM68%MediumEarly risers
    9-11 AM89%HighMost seniors
    12-2 PM74%Medium-LowNon-nappers
    2-4 PM71%MediumPost-nap window
    5-7 PM82%Medium-LowNight owls
    Source: FamilyPulse Analytics, 2024]

    What Factors Should Guide Your Choice?

    Individual circumstances matter more than general patterns.

    What Is Your Parent's Natural Schedule?

    Their existing routine should drive timing.

    Questions to consider:

  • What time do they typically wake?

  • When do they eat breakfast?

  • Do they have regular morning activities or appointments?

  • Do they nap? If so, when and how long?

  • When do they start winding down for bed?

  • When are they typically most alert and talkative?

    • Information sources:

  • Ask them directly

  • Observe during visits

  • Ask local family or caregivers

  • Notice patterns in current phone calls

    • What Medications Affect Alertness?

    Medication timing can significantly impact call quality.

    Common alertness effects:

  • Pain medications: May cause drowsiness 1-2 hours after taking

  • Blood pressure medications: Some cause fatigue, often taken morning

  • Anti-anxiety medications: Can affect alertness throughout the day

  • Sleep medications: Effects may linger into morning

  • Steroids: Often cause afternoon energy dip

    • Timing strategy:

  • Know when they take alertness-affecting medications

  • Schedule calls when medications are effective but not causing drowsiness

  • Observe whether medication timing changes affect call quality










    • 43%

    of seniors take five or more daily medications, and timing calls around medication effects significantly impacts conversation quality. Source: CDC National Health Statistics, 2024





    What Regular Activities or Appointments Exist?

    Predictable conflicts should inform scheduling.

    Common scheduling conflicts:

  • Medical appointments (often morning)

  • Physical therapy sessions

  • Dialysis or other regular treatments

  • Religious services

  • Meal delivery times

  • Caregiver visits

  • Exercise classes or walking groups

    • Working around conflicts:

  • Map out their weekly schedule

  • Identify the most consistently available time

  • Have backup times for days with conflicts

  • Consider different times for different days of week

    • How Do You Test and Optimize Timing?

    Finding the right time often requires experimentation.

    What Testing Approach Works Best?

    Systematic testing produces better results than guessing.

    Testing protocol:

  • Start with the time you believe is optimal

  • Monitor answer rates and engagement for two weeks

  • If results are poor, try a different time slot

  • Compare metrics between time periods

  • Settle on the time with best combination of answer rate and engagement

    • Metrics to track:

  • Answer rate (percentage of calls answered)

  • Engagement level (conversation quality rating)

  • Call length

  • Mood scores

  • Your parent's feedback about timing

    • What If No Time Works Well?

    Some seniors have genuinely difficult schedules.

    Alternative approaches:

  • Try different times on different days

  • Accept lower answer rates on some days

  • Increase retry attempts

  • Consider whether multiple shorter calls work better

  • Discuss timing directly with your parent










    • If answer rates remain below 50% after testing multiple times, the issue may not be timing. Consider whether they understand calls are coming, whether the phone is accessible, or whether they are avoiding calls intentionally.





    How Do You Handle Time Zone Differences?

    Long-distance caregiving often means different time zones.

    What System Settings Are Required?

    FamilyPulse handles time zones automatically with proper configuration.

    Setup requirements:

  • Enter your parent's correct time zone

  • Calls schedule in their local time

  • Reports display times converted to your time zone

  • Alerts arrive in real-time regardless of zone

    • How Do You Manage Review Around Time Zones?

    Your review schedule must account for when calls occur.

    Practical considerations:

  • Calls in earlier time zones complete before your workday

  • Calls in later time zones complete after your workday

  • Set review expectations accordingly

  • Morning review for calls to eastern time zones, evening for western

    • Example scenarios:

  • You are in California, parent in Florida: Their 10 AM call is your 7 AM. Review before work.

  • You are in New York, parent in Arizona: Their 10 AM call is your 12 PM. Review after lunch.

    • What Special Circumstances Require Adjustment?

    Standard timing may not apply in every situation.

    How Should Timing Change During Illness?

    Sick seniors have different alertness patterns.

    Illness adjustments:

  • Earlier calls if they are sleeping more

  • More flexible timing to avoid peak symptom times

  • Possibly multiple brief check-ins rather than one longer call

  • Return to normal timing as they recover

    • How Should Timing Change for Cognitive Decline?

    Dementia affects optimal call timing.

    Considerations for cognitive decline:

  • Morning calls typically produce clearer responses

  • Avoid sundowning hours absolutely

  • Consistency becomes even more important

  • Simpler, shorter calls may work better than longer ones

    • How Should Timing Change Seasonally?

    Some seniors' patterns shift with seasons.

    Seasonal factors:

  • Winter: May sleep later due to darkness, lower energy overall

  • Summer: May rise earlier, more active overall

  • Daylight Saving Time: Watch for adjustment period confusion

  • Weather extremes: May affect daily routine

    • [CHART: Seasonal Timing Adjustments
    SeasonCommon ShiftAdjustment Approach

    WinterLater rising, lower energyLater morning calls
    SpringTransition periodMonitor and adjust
    SummerEarlier rising, more activeEarlier calls may work
    FallTransition periodMonitor and adjust]

    Conclusion

    The difference between a well-timed call and a poorly-timed call is not just convenience. It affects whether your parent answers, how engaged they are, and how accurate the wellness assessment becomes.

    Most seniors do best with late morning calls, between 9 and 11 AM. But your parent is not most seniors. They have their own wake time, medication schedule, activity patterns, and energy rhythms. Take the time to understand their specific situation and test different times to find their optimal window.

    The few weeks spent optimizing timing pays dividends for years of better data and more pleasant daily interactions. Your parent will appreciate calls that arrive when they are ready to talk, and you will benefit from more accurate, more valuable wellness information.

    Share:
    Guides & How-Tos

    Ready to Keep Your Family Connected?

    Try FamilyPulse free for 3 days and experience the peace of mind that comes from daily AI wellness calls.

    Related Articles

    How to Customize FamilyPulse Call Schedules
    Guides & How-Tos

    How to Customize FamilyPulse Call Schedules

    Getting call timing right is key to FamilyPulse effectiveness. This guide shows you how to set up and adjust call schedules for the best results.

    Read article
    Setting Up FamilyPulse: Step-by-Step Guide
    Guides & How-Tos

    Setting Up FamilyPulse: Step-by-Step Guide

    Setup takes under 5 minutes. Your parent needs nothing but their existing phone. This guide walks through account creation, call scheduling, notification preferences, and tips for introducing the service to your parent successfully.

    Read article
    What Happens When Your Elderly Parent Misses a Wellness Call?
    Guides & How-Tos

    What Happens When Your Elderly Parent Misses a Wellness Call?

    A missed call can mean anything from a simple bathroom trip to a serious emergency. This guide teaches you to interpret missed calls accurately and respond appropriately.

    Read article