That's kind of what I have in place... about five of the friends I talk to online most regularly have home and mobile numbers for my mum (who only lives round the corner and has keys for my flat). If they don't see me online for a few hours, or they're talking to me on msn and I suddenly stop talking without changing status, or indeed if we're using webcam and I collapse, then they are to phone my mum so she can come and check on me. And they do, and she does, and sometimes I'm okay and sometimes I'm not. I love it, it means that despite disability I can keep my independence AND remain safe. And define my broadband as an essential (therefore guilt-free) expense when I do my budgeting.