Medical alert systems can be convenient and life-saving tools for older adults who are at risk of falling or experiencing serious health-related events due to their age or disability. With all the many different medical alert systems available, it helps to know about must-have features and systems that provide the best benefits.
Here’s more about what to look for in a medical alert system, along with some of the top-rated systems available for seniors.
What Is a Medical Alert System?
A medical alert system is a wearable device that can contact emergency medical services with the simple push of a button. When the system is activated, emergency medical services are dispatched to your home or location, and any friends and loved ones on your contact list are notified as well. Medical alert systems are active 24/7 and can be used any time you need immediate medical care.
Many medical alert systems are available as necklaces and bracelets, though some are stationary devices that can be set up in the home and activated by certain voice commands. Some even have special built-in technologies that can sense falls and alert emergency medical services automatically.
Features to Look for In a Medical Alert System
You can customize a large number of medical alert systems with certain features based on your personal health needs and preferences.
Here are some features to consider when shopping around for the best medical alert system:
- At-home vs mobile system. If you spend lots of time outside of the home, consider a mobile wearable device with GPS tracking. If you are usually at home, consider an at-home system that can be activated by voice.
- Fall detection. This add-on feature automatically alerts emergency medical services when you experience a fall.
- Waterproof. Many falls take place in the shower. Look for waterproof systems that can be activated even when wet.
- No contract. Some medical alert systems require you to sign yearly contracts, similar to that required by mobile phone carriers and gyms. If you’d rather have flexibility and the freedom to cancel your service, look for systems that come with no contracts.
- Lost device feature. It can be easy to misplace an alert bracelet or necklace, which is why a lost device call button may be a great feature. This feature would allow you to push a button and trigger a beep or chirp on the missing device so you can find it more easily.
- Medication reminder. This extra feature can remind you when it’s time to take your medication.
- Activity monitoring. This feature prompts you to push a button on your device that notifies your loved ones that you’re doing okay. You can have it programmed to send an alert once every 12 or 24 hours, or at the interval of your choice. If you do not push the button, the monitoring company will be notified and emergency medical services will be dispatched to your location.
Top Medical Alert Systems for Seniors
Here are some of the highest-rated medical alert systems available for seniors.
Medical Guardian Systems
Medical alert systems by Medical Guardian are available as mobile and at-home devices. They all come with 30-day trial periods and produce a response time of up to 25 seconds. The device range of all Medical Guardian systems is between 1,300 and 1,400 feet, which are some of the longest device ranges in the industry.
Special features of Medical Guardian systems include fall detection, a lockbox for emergency medical workers, and an app for caregivers.
MobileHelp
With low monthly fees that begin at $20 a month, MobileHelp is an affordable option regardless of whether you want an at-home or on-the-go medical alert system. It offers a referral program, medication reminders, and a fast response time that ranges between 25 and 50 seconds.
ADT Health
Medical alert systems from ADT Health come with a free, next-day shipping option and stable monthly prices that do not increase over time. There are also no hidden fees related to activation or processing, and battery replacements are completely free.
Though ADT Health is praised for offering affordable medical alert systems, some of the cons associated with their products are a short device range between 300 and 600 feet and no way to cancel emergency calls in the event you accidentally press the button.
Medical Alert
There are only two products available from Medical Alert: an at-home system and a mobile system. However, both devices offer all the features you could possibly want in a medical alert system.
Some of the pros of systems by Medical Alert include a 30-day trial period, a fast response time of between 25 and 50 seconds, and a satisfying device range of 800 feet. Caregivers can contact the monitoring center directly and track your movements at all times, which could give you peace of mind if you have a complex or chronic condition. One of the main cons of Medical Alert systems is that it has a one-time programming fee of $79.
If you’re still not sure which medical alert system would benefit you the most, you could also read online reviews posted by other users and caregivers, or ask your caregiver or healthcare provider for their recommendation.
Resource Links
- “13 Best Medical Alert Systems of 2023: Expert Tested & Reviewed” via National Council on Aging