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25 text reminder templates for an aging parent
The hardest part of reminding someone you love is the blank box: what do you actually say so it lands as care, not nagging? Here are 25 that work — warm, specific, answerable with one word. Copy them freely (no email required, no catch), swap in your own names and times, and send them however you like.
One rule we followed everywhere: wording and schedules only — never medical or dosage advice. What to take and when is between your parent and their doctor; we're just here to make sure the moment doesn't slip by.
Medications
Short, specific, and answerable with one word. Add "Reply DONE" to the ones you want to hear back about.
“Good morning! Time for your morning medications. Reply DONE when you've taken them.”
Every day · 8:00 AM · 'til-done
“Evening meds time. Reply DONE so I don't worry.”
Every day · 8:00 PM · 'til-done
“Midday medication time - it's on your written schedule.”
Every day · 12:00 PM
“Time for your evening eye drops, just like your written schedule says.”
Every day · 9:30 PM
“It's Sunday - time to fill the pill organizer for the week ahead. Reply DONE when it's set.”
Weekly · Sun 6:00 PM · 'til-done
Appointments
Two reminders beat one: the day before (to plan) and shortly before (to get ready).
“Dr. Patel tomorrow at 2:00 PM. Maria picks you up at 1:15 - be ready downstairs.”
Day before · 5:00 PM
“Doctor today at 2:00 PM - start getting ready. Bring your medication list and insurance card.”
Same day · 2 hours before
“Dentist this Thursday at 10:00 AM. Reply DONE so I know you saw this.”
2 days before · 'til-done
“Bloodwork tomorrow morning - follow the prep instructions from Dr. Patel's office.”
Evening before · 7:00 PM
“Hearing aid check next Tuesday at 11:00 AM - it's on the calendar.”
3 days before
Refills & errands
The quiet ones that cause the loudest problems when they're missed.
“Your refill is ready at the pharmacy. Reply DONE when you've picked it up.”
When ready · 'til-done
“About 5 days of pills left - call the pharmacy for a refill today. Reply DONE when it's ordered.”
Monthly · 'til-done
“Trash and recycling go out tonight.”
Weekly · Thu 7:00 PM
“Library books are due Friday. Reply DONE if you want to keep them and I'll renew online.”
2 days before
“Rosa's birthday is tomorrow - give her a call, she'd love it!”
Day before · 11:00 AM
Meals & hydration
Gentle, never bossy — food reminders land better when they sound like you.
“Lunchtime! There's soup in the fridge from Sunday - just needs 2 minutes in the microwave.”
Every day · 12:30 PM
“Water check: time for a big glass, not just a sip.”
Every day · 10:30 AM
“Hot one today - extra water this afternoon, please. Reply DONE after a big glass.”
Hot days · 2:00 PM · 'til-done
“Dinner time - don't skip it just because it's just you tonight. There's leftovers!”
Every day · 6:00 PM
“Grocery delivery comes between 4 and 6 today - listen for the door.”
Delivery day · 3:30 PM
Weekly routines
The rhythm-keepers — the ones that keep the week feeling like a week.
“Bath day today. Reply DONE so I can tick it off the list.”
Weekly · 'til-done
“Sheets day - fresh bed tonight, best feeling of the week.”
Weekly · Sat 10:00 AM
“Call Emma today - she's home after 4 and asking about you.”
Weekly · Sun 4:00 PM
“Church tomorrow at 10. Frank picks you up at 9:30.”
Weekly · Sat 6:00 PM
“Weigh-in day - write it on the chart by the scale like Dr. Patel asked.”
Weekly · Mon 8:00 AM
Want these sent automatically — with a heads-up when there's no answer?
Jon's Reminders texts any of these on schedule, keeps nudging until your parent replies DONE, and alerts you if they never do. No app for them, ever — they reply YES to one invitation and that's their whole setup. 30-day money-back guarantee.