According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the treatment of people over the age of 65. Despite the fact that most people learn to call 911 in an emergency, it is not always possible. If you fall in the bathroom or yard, you may not have your phone with you. That's where medical alerts come in handy.
Medical alerts are programs that allow you to call for emergency help on a regular basis, such as on a wristband or pendant. These are especially effective for individuals who are particularly susceptible to severe illness and other medical emergencies. They are also helpful for caregivers and relatives who are more sensitive to illness, but they may also help save lives.
Many medical alert systems have come a long way since they were so popular in the 1980s, but many now use cellular data to provide better flexibility and accessibility. Modern medical alerts also provide additional features for those who want them, such as medication reminders, fall detection, location tracking and fitness tracking.
With so many options out there, it's more important than ever to find a medical alert system that can assist you in an emergency, and the best medical alert option for you to suit your individual needs based on medical conditions, budget, and other factors. This list of the best medical alerts for a wide range of situations has been compiled from buyer reviews and expert advice.
Medical alerts for people who don't leave the house frequently. They can't be used on-the-go (like at the grocery store), since they must stay connected to an in-home base unit. However, they work in the yard or even a few houses down, as long as you find one with a good range -- such as Bay Alarm Medical.
The inside-the-box medical alert for Bay Alarm Medical can be used on a landline or cellular use. Choose between pendant or wristband help buttons, both waterproof, with a range of 800 to 1,000 feet from the base station. It also comes with four assist buttons to the wall.
This is a monitored system, which allows the wearer to have 24/7 access to emergency operators who may dispatch local authorities and/or call loved ones if required. Bay Alarm's price is very reasonable compared to other companies, with no additional startup fees. You can also add on fall detection, a feature that can automatically detect a fall and send an emergency alert on the wearer's behalf.
This medical alert does not include additional features, such as medicine reminders or fitness tracking, but it is also our top pick for an in-home alert.
MobileHelp Classic, a mobile app, has a host of useful tools for users and caregivers, including the ability to see recent locations or send a location request. Additionally, medication reminder services may be added at an additional $5 per month, plus activity tracking. Fall detection is also available at $10 per month.
MobileHelp's system does not have a landline option, but it only works over a mobile network (in this case, AT&T's). The waterproof help button comes in lanyard or wristband form, with a reported range of 1,400 feet from the base unit. This is especially helpful in the event of a power outage. According to customer reviews, MobileHelp provides 24/7 US-based monitoring, with quick response times and a courteous, professional response team.
You're looking at a monthly cost of around $55, but MobileHelp offers a wide variety of ways to lower this price, including discounts, frequent promos, and the possibility to choose from monthly, quarterly, semiannual, and annual payments plans.
Mobile alerts don't require a base unit, which means that you can use them anywhere, at the store, on the road, or anywhere else there's cell service. They're ideal for active seniors or disabled people who leave the house often.
This lively on-the-go medical alert offers the finest combination of features and affordability that we could find, making it our most powerful choice for a mobile system. Instead of a pendant or wristband, it includes a small help button that can be attached to virtually anything, including your belt, purse, or a lanyard.
Mobile alerts have a lot of potential flaws: battery life is required to be recharged regularly in order to perform. However, the Lively Mobile Plus boasts a good 80-hour battery life, allowing you to not have to worry about adding it in every single night. Another benefit: GPS tracking is included with the Mobile Plus for no extra cost.
The Mobile Plus is differentiated by its ability to access 24/7, not only to an emergency call center, but also to emergency care, which allows you to talk to a doctor or nurse anytime. With this feature, you're still looking at only $30 per month, or $40 per month if you want fall detection. (AARP members receive a discount on Lively products.)
The Philips Lifeline GoSafe 2 has five locating technologies for tracking, including GPS, Wi-Fi, and audio beaconing, which ensures accurate reading and several support options in the event one technology isn't working.
The GoSafe 2 is a little pricey, and it costs $50 per month, as long as it's discounting for members of the AARP. Those benefits include access to a 24/7 emergency operations facility in Canada, and free fall detection. In this case, you only have the option for a help button pendant (there is no wristband available), which has a rechargeable battery that can last up to three days, although some users think it's quite tough to wear.
The GoSafe 2 doesn't include access to medical professionals, or additional features such as activity tracking. However, Philips is a trusted company with a long history in the medical alert industry, with its rapid response times and advanced location tracking. This is still a great medical alert for the right person.
You may always wear this smartwatch as a medical alert, and you may use it to make emergency calls. Fortunately, a dedicated medical alert smartwatch is different: it allows you to simply press an SOS button and get instant access to a 24/7 emergency dispatch center.
The Bay Alarm SOS smartwatch is completely automated, meaning you may contact the dispatcher on the smartwatch directly (and you may contact them with them) but it does not include fall detection, according to Bay Alarm.
The SOS Smartwatch is costing $179 to own the device outright.
The WellBe Medical Alert Plus is a smart home medical alert, which includes a smartwatch and a smart speaker. Both devices are connected to 4G to allow you to speak with a 24/7 emergency responder anytime.
The smartwatch also has fitness tracking, blood pressure monitoring, step tracking, and other data. Both devices can also provide reminders about medications, prescription refills, appointments, and more. Both devices can also be contacted via a voice-activated virtual health assistant called WellBe. (You can also purchase the smartwatch and smart speaker separately if you don't need both.)
WellBe has a ton of features that allow it to work around multiple devices at your house, although it is likely not the most intuitive system for non-tech-savvy seniors. This medical alert is a fantastic value for money.
Aloe Care Health claims to have a "world's most advanced medical alert system." That's a significant statement, but its capability to use the traditional medical alert is certainly enhanced, while also being intuitive to operate. The Smart Hub allows you to access a 24/7 call center, by voice activation, and monitors the air quality, motion, and humidity.
Aloe Care, like other home-based systems, has a base unit and a wearable help button, and it only uses 4G cellular coverage only (no landlines). However, you may simply select the Essentials Plus or Total Care packages, which comes with a mobile device that can go anywhere, but is still compatible with your regular home. (That mobile device also includes a free fall detection.)
According to reviewers, Aloe Care's caregiver app is one of the best available. It allows your loved ones to check in directly with you and collaborate on your care. Include other small, but important perks, like a free lockbox for your home items, and the ability to amplify sound for the hearing impaired; this is a great all-in-one medical alert for those who can afford it.
Medical alerts with no monthly fees aren't the best way to go. They're unmonitored, therefore they don't have access to emergency responders around the clock, and there aren't many options or features available. However, some people might prefer them, particularly those with in-home caregivers or nearby assistance, or those who cannot afford a monthly fee.
The LogicMark FreedomAlert is a multiplatform technology that allows you to call up to four contacts and 911. It features a waterproof assist button pendant that has a 600-foot range from the base unit and two-way calling, allowing caregivers to talk directly into it. Both of these models require a landline.
The Apple Watch is often used as a regular smartwatch rather than a medical alert device. With new features like, it's beginning to blur the line between the two. The watch automatically pings you if it detects a fall, then contacts emergency services and alerts designated contacts if it does not detect any movement within 60 seconds. A battery life similar to the SOS Smartwatch by Bay Alarm, at around 18 hours.
The Apple Watch does not include live emergency monitoring, nor does it have the caregiver capabilities that come with a traditional medical alert. Besides, if you want to use the watch to send messages and make calls even when your iPhone is out of reach, you'll have to pay an additional $10 per month depending on your provider.
If you do not have 24/7 emergency help and have other good reasons to use an Apple Watch, like its robust health and activity tracking capabilities, then this might be a viable option.
The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or medical advice. Always consult with a physician or other qualified health provider if you have any questions about a medical condition or health goals.
