Episode 13: Living Alone, Staying Safe: How the Snug App Offers Peace of Mind for Many

Send us Fan Mail What happens if you live alone and something goes wrong while you're asleep? That's the question that changed everything for Jan Van Vlack, a retired nurse who woke up after a seizure with no memory of what had happened. Her experience led to the creation of Snug, a free safety app now used by thousands of older adults across the country. In this episode, host Kwame Kuadey sits down with Jan Van Vlack, the inspiration behind Snug, and Preet Anand, the app's CEO and co-founder, to talk about how the tool works, why it's different from other alert systems, and how it's already helped save lives. Unlike traditional medical alert devices that require you to press a button during an emergency, Snug flips the process: you simply check in once a day to say you're okay. If you don't, your emergency contacts are notified right away. For the one in three older adults who live alone, and the nearly half of seniors 75 and older doing the same, this conversation offers a simple, low-cost way to add an extra layer of protection, without new equipment, batteries, or complicated setup. KEY TOPICS COVERED How Snug works: a daily check-in that alerts loved ones automatically if you miss it The real-life story behind Snug's creation, including Jen's own health scare The difference between the free plan and the paid dispatch plan How Snug complements devices you may already use, like an Apple Watch or medical alert necklace Real stories of people whose lives were affected by using Snug, including a young man with type 1 diabetes Why daily check-ins can also ease loneliness and provide a sense of connection How Snug helps ensure pets are cared for if something happens to you Simple steps to download and set up the app in under two minutes WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR Seniors living alone or with a spouse who may not be able to call for help Adult children who want peace of mind about a parent's safety Anyone managing a chronic health condition, such as diabetes Pet owners who worry about who would care for their animals in an emergency Anyone looking for an easy, low-cost way to stay connected and safe WHY THIS MATTERS NOW More older adults are living alone than ever before, and many worry about what would happen if they became unresponsive with no one nearby to notice. Simple daily check-in tools like Snug offer a practical way to close that gap without adding cost or complexity to daily life. ABOUT THE GUESTS Preet Anand Founder and CEO of Snug Safety — a free daily check-in app for older adults living alone that alerts emergency contacts within 15 minutes of a missed check-in, with over 20 million check-ins completed Previously founded Patronus, a personal safety and 911 improvement company — sold to RapidSOS, which now powers emergency calling for both Apple and Uber and has saved an estimated 11,000+ lives Former product leader at Lyft and ClassDojo — contributing to safety systems used by millions of riders and classrooms worldwide Driven by a personal mantra of "perpetuating free will and joy" — building technology that gives communities new choices in how they live their lives Passionate about the intersection of digital technology and fundamental human services — safety, transportation, housing, energy, and finance A builder at heart who measures success not by revenue, but by whether the people he serves gain new freedom, safety, and dignity in their daily lives Jan Van Vlack Customer Champion at Snug Safety — the daily check-in app for people living alone that she personally inspired over 10 years ago, making her one of the original reasons the app exists Retired Registered Nurse with extensive hands-on clinical experience and healthcare executive leadership across multiple organizations Former Study Manager at Health Care Excel — Kentucky's Quality Improvement Organization for CMS — overseeing the national Surgical Care Improvement Project focused on reducing postoperative complications Former Clinical Data Analyst at the Indiana Health Information Exchange — supporting community-wide quality reporting and chronic disease management programs Active community volunteer and handler of Linnéa, her Certified Therapy toy poodle — bringing comfort and connection to people in her community Driven by creativity, positivity, and genuine care for others — a living example of the senior independence and purposeful living that Snug was built to protect RESOURCES MENTIONED Snug Safety app (available on the Apple App Store and Google Play) Snug YouTube channel, featuring user stories including Mike's story If this episode resonated with you, we'd love for you to subscribe and share it with someone who might benefit, especially if they live alone or care for someone who does. Join our community for more conversations on aging well, staying safe, and making the most of retirement. Support the show