Being alone when some medical emergency happens is terrifying, no matter how old we are. Unfortunately, elderly citizens are more prone to medical emergencies, and that’s why they need the best medical alert system to inform the desired contact if anything unexpected happens.
These tiny devices are incredible. They’ve enabled our older neighbors to live fuller and more active lives and made us worry less about our loved ones, knowing that they are safe even when we are not around.
But this is a lucrative market, and some companies are trying to push their way through aggressive marketing while neglecting the service quality. If you want to know how to distinguish the good ones, stick around, and let’s find out together.
What Are Medical Alert Systems, And How Do They Work?
They are designed primarily for elderly citizens, but they can help anyone who enjoys risky outdoor activities alone. They work as an SOS beacon. In case of any medical emergency, the user has to press a button, and predefined numbers will be alerted.
The devices have GPS trackers, so the receiver will also get the location of the event. They also have sensitive gyroscopes that can detect rapid, unusual movement.
So, even if the user falls unconscious or can’t press the button for another reason, they will send out notifications.
Our Top 3 Recommendations
1. LifeStation
Features
- Amazon Alexa compatible
- Light and portable
- Reliable GPS technology
Price: From $34.95
2. Medical Guardian – Classic
Features
- Landline and cellular options
- 1,300-foot range
- GPS location tracking
Price: From $34.95
3. GreatCall – Lively Mobile
Features
- Excellent waterproofing
- Fall detection
- Access to nurses and doctors
Price: From $24.99
10 Best Medical Alert Systems In 2021
MobileHelp Duo
Price from $49.97
Pros
- Wrist and pendant options
- In-home and outdoor coverage
- Two-way communication
- Short average response time
- Fall detection
- No landline needed
- Excellent call center – more than 240 languages supported
Cons
- The Fall Detection Button is extra paid
- Pricey
Features
That is one of the most popular and comprehensive services. It provides its users with around-the-clock monitoring and high-quality equipment. With this service, you will have protection wherever you go due to the highly accurate GPS and strong AT&T cellular network.
The service looks after your overall health, and the central unit has a medication-reminder service, location tracking, and real-time medical monitoring.
Units & Extras
The basic medical alert monitoring package comes with a central home unit (which doesn’t require a landline), a waterproof help button, and a GPS tracking button for outdoor activities. The MobileHelp Fall Button doesn’t come standard and has to be paid extra.
Call Center
The award-winning customer emergency center is one of the best in the country. It’s entirely US-based, and the employees undergo rigorous testing and training. Many of them bilingual, and they use the LanguageLine translation service to cover additional languages – more than 240 in total. The average response time is under 10 seconds, and they receive a call every 7.5 seconds.
Prices
Most high-end med alerts for seniors come with a hefty price, and MobileHelp is not an exception. The Duo package costs $41.95 a month, and it’s one of the priciest on the market. Fortunately, there are cheaper options, and the Classic plan will cost you $19.95 a month, but the GPS button is not a part of the plan.
If you want to test the service before deciding, you’ll be happy to know that the company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Bay Alarm Medical
Price from $114.77
Pros
- Renowned company
- Good quality
- Excellent call centers, available in 170 languages
- Stationary and mobile devices
- Several customizable plans
- Made and monitored in the USA
Cons
- Automatic Fall Detection is extra charged
Features
Bay Alarm Medical is among the industry leaders, with more than 70 years of experience producing medical devices. As you would expect from a renowned company, their medical alert systems incorporate some cutting-edge features.
They are waterproof, portable, have two-way communication capability and fall detection. Above all, they are quality built and offer a sense of safety – you simply know they won’t let you down when you need them the most.
Units & Extras
The standard package comes with one central and one auxiliary unit. You can choose if it will be a stationary or a mobile button. You can order more of these remote units for your medical alert system, but they will cost you extra.
The central unit requires a landline, but the auxiliary and mobile devices use wireless communication between them. The mobile can function up to 32 hours before it needs recharging.
Call Center
That is one of the Bay Alarm’s main selling points. A push of the button on the device will connect the user to an excellent 24/7 support team, and they can communicate in more than 170 languages.
Prices
Bay Alarm’s service is not cheap. The basic package starts at $19.95 a month and includes a central unit and one button. If you want two medical alert buttons more, the price will be $24.95, and the package with five buttons will cost you $29.95 a month.
On the upside, the company offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, and that will give you plenty of time to see if it works for you.
LifeStation
Price from $34.99
Pros
- The company has 40 years of experience
- Amazon Alexa compatible
- Light and portable
- Reliable GPS technology
- Good response time
- UL-listed and TMA Five Diamond certified
- Long battery life
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- A fantastic support team that stays on the phone until help arrives
Cons
- Somewhat expensive
Features
With more than 40 years of experience, LifeStation is one of the best fall detection and medical alert systems on the market. The service devices are high quality and durable (Consumer Affairs accredited, TMA Five Diamond certified, and UL-listed). The batteries are also top-of-the-class and can last up to five days on a single charge.
The pendant and necklaces are great for outdoor activities, thanks to the combination of GPS, Wi-Fi, and the AT&T network. And if you need protection for indoor use, the alarm button provided with the central indoor unit is waterproof and has a range of 500 feet.
With LifeStation personal medical alert systems, the users can visit their neighbors and spend time in their backyard without the GPS unit. And, as a bonus, the device is compatible with Amazon Alexa.
Two-way communication enables our elderly to communicate with the control center and explain the situation. And an impressive feature called Find My Loved One allows people to locate their parents by sending a text message. That makes it one of the best medical alert systems for seniors whose children are concerned about their movement and whereabouts.
Units & Extras
The basic package comes with an outdoor GPS unit, which you can also use indoors. It’s waterproof, so showers will not be a problem. The company also provides an indoor package with a central unit that doesn’t require a landline – it’s portable and waterproof.
But the users don’t have to carry it with them to the shower because a medical alert necklace with a fall detector comes with the package. There’s an option of adding specific buttons to the system for a small fee.
Call Center
That is one of the company’s hallmarks. The dedicated support team never takes more than 20 seconds to respond, and most importantly, they will maintain communication with the user until the emergency services arrive. That provides an additional sense of safety and emotional support, which is sometimes crucial.
Prices
The GPS waterproof button will cost you $34.99 a month, and during the first month, you can use LifeStation’s medical alert systems for seniors for free. If you want to add a pendant to the basic package, that will be $10 more to the price.
A longer-term subscription period will slightly reduce the monthly fee, and if you decide on a six-month plan, you will have to pay under $180 for it. If you want to test the service before committing, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Medical Guardian – Classic
Price from $39.95
Pros
- Landline and cellular options
- Different mobile button options and designs
- 1,300-foot range
- GPS location tracking
- A speaker with adjustable volume
- 5-Diamond-Certified monitoring center
Cons
- High price
Features
Medical Guardian’s Classic home system offers basic in-home protection. We use the word ‘basic’ because it’s the company’s entry-level plan, but with one of the industry leaders, even this kind of protection implies many valuable features.
Waterproof pendants and watches, two-way communication, and an operational range of 1300 feet between the base and the mobile unit make this one of the top medical alert systems for seniors on the market.
Units & Extras
With the Classic Plan, you will get one base unit that requires a landline and one mobile. (it can be a pendant or a wristband). If you don’t have a landline, the Home Guardian would be the best choice since it operates via the cellular network.
If you want to extend the protection to more than 1300ft from your home, you can choose Active or Mobile Guardian. They have GPS, Wi-Fi, and cellular network receivers that can pinpoint your location in a second, making it the best life alert system for people who like outdoor activities.
Call center
The state-of-the-art call center has a triple-redundant backup system that ensures it remains operative no matter what.
But it’s the people that make a company, and Medical Guardian has assembled quite a team. The personnel undergoes extensive training to provide the best service.
What’s interesting is that you can contact them even in case of non-medical emergencies. They will help you find maintenance specialists, help around the house, etc. Even though the center is entirely US-based, you can speak to them in any language, thanks to the excellent translation service.
Prices
We have to mention that Medical Guardian’s life alert services cost slightly more than the industry average. The Active 4G pendant is the cheapest option with a $29.95 per month price tag. Then comes the Home Caregiver plan ($39.95). The most expensive option is the slick On-The-Go Guardian ($49.95). With all plans – the first month is free.
Home and Wellness – GPS Alert Device
Price from $99.95
Pros
- Built-in fall detection
- Waterproof
- GPS
- 24/7 protection
Cons
- Small call center team
Features
Although Home & Wellness is relatively new to the life alert systems market, its users won’t know because their service matches even the most experienced competitors. The two-way communicator is 4G compatible and uses the Verizon cell network to transmit. It is sturdy built and waterproof. And has a rechargeable battery that can last up to three days.
The device has built-in fall detection and automatically calls emergency services in case that happens. Unfortunately, the unit doesn’t have GPS, so its outdoor use is pretty limited and can be used only in the backyard.
Units & Extras
The company offers several different alert devices for the elderly, and each plan provides you with a single device. They are all similar in size and appearance, and you can choose between indoor and outdoor units equipped with GPS, fall detection, etc.
Call center
The team is small if you compare it to the big players. But what they lack in size, they make up for with total commitment.
Price
The basic device will cost you $27, and this price also covers the first month of use. After that, the monthly fee will be $34.99. The company’s best medical alert system for outdoorsy people is a unit with a GPS. It’s called Belle + Senior and has the same price.
GetSafe
Price from $112.99
Pros
- 4G support
- Voice, button, or cord activated
- Fall detection option
- 1,300-foot range
- No long-term contract needed
- 30-day free trial
Cons
- Pricey
- No GPS option
Features
The company is mainly known for its dependable and easy-to-use home alarm and security systems, but it shifted its focus to the medical alert market in 2015. It now operates within the Bay Alarm family of companies. That guarantees top-notch service and device quality.
The devices the company offers go one step above the traditional best rated medical alert systems and include voice activation. Instead of pressing a button, you can pull a cord or say “Call 911. Call 911,” and they will connect you to the call center.
By strategically placing the remote buttons in your home, you eliminate the need to wear a device. However, a mobile pendant is a part of the package for people who want additional safety. You can choose if you wish the fall detection option or not.
The rest of the features are pretty standard for any top-rated health alarm company. Some of them are two-way communication and waterproof pendants. Unfortunately, there is no GPS mobile unit option. The upside is that you don’t need to have a landline for GetSafe’s medical alarms and systems.
Units & Extras
You can adjust the number of devices to your home’s size. A Starter plan is intended for one-bedroom homes and has a central unit, one voice-activated wall button, and one mobile. If you have a large house with more than four bedrooms, you should choose a Select plan that comes with one central unit, one pendant, and five wall-mounted buttons.
Call Center
The company’s Five Diamond Certified call center is available 24/7, every day, even on holidays. What we didn’t like is the fact that the average response time is 30 seconds, and that may seem like an eternity in case of an emergency.
Prices
GetSafe isn’t exactly the cheapest option. To be honest, the company claims it has the best home medical alert system, not the cheapest one. The monthly subscription is the same for all plans – $24.95, but the initial equipment cost depends on the subscription you chose.
You will have to pay $79 upfront for the Starter plan, $149 for the Standard, and $229 for the Select one. The upsides are that there are no contracts – you pay monthly and that the company offers a 30-day free trial.
Go Safe 2 – Philips Lifeline Medical Alert
Price from $49.95
Pros
- Industry leader
- Enhanced GPS positioning works excellent both indoors and outdoors
- Audio Beacon
- Fall detection comes standard
- Waterproof
- Excellent call center services with more than 200 languages supported
Cons
- Very pricey
Features
The Philips company doesn’t need an introduction. It’s a leader in the medical equipment industry, and its Go Safe 2 GPS pendant is in line with the company’s excellent reputation. The A-GPS positioning has Wi-Fi, Intelligent Location History, and Audio Beacon to help the responders locate the user faster.
This combination makes sure you are protected both inside and outside your home. The pendant is also waterproof and has a fall detector with a highly sensitive three-direction gyroscope. That minimizes false alarms and makes this pendant a strong contender for the title of the best medical alert system with fall detection.
Units & Extras
The Go Safe 2 is a mobile pendant and, besides the charger, it’s pretty much all you are going to get in the package. Phillips also sells med alarms for home use, HomeSafe Standard, and HomeSafe with AutoAlert.
They both come with one central and one mobile unit, but the latter has a fall detection sensor. You can choose between a landline and a cellular connection.
Call Center
A push of the button will connect users to the call center, and they will talk to the highly skilled and HIPAA compliance trained specialists. The call centers are in the US and Canada, and the average response time is record-breaking 12 seconds.
If you start comparing medical alert systems, you’ll soon realize that this is a great result, especially in situations when every second count. And that’s not the only area the support team excels in – they can communicate in more than 200 languages.
Prices
Phillips offers a premium service, and they never come cheap. With the price of $49.95/month and a $99.95 one-time equipment fee, it’s one of the priciest on the market. HomeSafe Standard is $29.95 /month ( plus $50 activation fee), and HomeSafe with AutoAlert costs $44.95 /month, ($50 activation fee).
Luckily, there are some rebates available. For instance, when buying Philips’s best medical alert system, AARP members will get a discount – 15% off their monthly bill and free shipping and activation. If you are not satisfied, you can return the equipment within 30 days and get a refund.
BlueStar SeniorTech – Ranger 4G
Price from $39.95
Pros
- Light, compact
- Fall alert system
- GPS tracking
- Two-way voice communication
- SOS button
Cons
- Very strong magnet – individuals with a pacemaker should consult their doctors prior to use
Features
BlueStar SeniorTech is an impressive company. It is owned and run by Army veterans, and most of the employees are veterans and members of their families. A part of the company’s profits goes to veterans’ associations all over the country.
But, the company is not relying only on the kindness of your heart – it also offers excellent service and feature-packed devices.
The Ranger 4G mobile is the company’s best medical alert system with GPS. It’s also one of the most compact devices on the market. Still, the engineers managed to put inside everything you might need – a strong GPS receiver that will keep track of your position, two-way communication equipment, an SOS button, and even made it waterproof. It’s ideal for any outdoor activities.
Units & Extras
Ranger 4G is a single device and comes only with a charger, so don’t expect a large box. If you want more devices and combine indoor and outdoor protection, then Admiral Alert might be just what you need.
The company also offers dedicated home systems with standard central units, remote buttons, and pendants. If you don’t want to commit to any company and are more interested in non monitored medical alert systems, the FreedomAlert device might be a good option. It calls the numbers you’ve previously listed (family, friends, etc.), and if no one answers, it calls the emergency services.
Call Center
The call center is in the US, and the employees are ready to provide help in any situation.
Prices
The Ranger 4K will cost you $39.95 per month. The Admiral Alert comes with a $44.95/month price tag, or you can choose a dedicated home system for $29.95. If you don’t want to pay for a service and are looking for a device only, a FreedomAlert device might be a good deal. It’s one of the best non monitored medical alert systems, but it’s also expensive – the price is $249.95 (one-time payment).
ResponseNow Belle+
Price from $39.95
Pros
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Advanced fall detection
- Battery charge lasts for five days
- GPS
- Free emergency access lockbox
Cons
- Expensive
Features
The alert button provided in the package is more than just an alert button. With features like GPS, patented fall-detection technology, and a proven water-resistant seal, it’s a lifesaver.
The company is proud of its fall-detection technology and specific algorithms that can easily distinguish regular movements like sitting down or leaning. That reduces the number of false alarms and enables seniors to uninterrupted activities, and makes Belle+ one of the best medical alert systems with fall detection.
The device enables two-way communication via AT&T cellular network.
Units & Extras
Belle+ comes in the form of a pendant. You can also find the same device, but without the GPS, under the name Belle. If you want in-home protection, choose the In The Home plan, with one central landline-based unit and a practical pendant.
Call Center
That is what makes the company unique. Instead of relying on one or two online support centers, they have local support agents all over the country. Thus, in your time of need, you will not be transferred to a person, who is thousands of miles away, but to your neighbor, who knows the local roads, danger spots, best services, etc. That makes Belle+ the best mobile medical alert system for people who want a more personalized experience.
The users will also establish more personal contact with the support agent as it’s very probable the same people will be answering each of their calls. They will know them personally, understand their troubles and preferences, etc. That reduces action time because they don’t need to wait for the user info to appear on their screen.
Prices
The price of ResponseNow’s best GPS medical alert system, Belle+, is $49.95 a month, while the Belle will cost you $39.95. The Home protection plan is the cheapest, at $24.95/month.
GreatCall – Lively Mobile
Price from $37.49
Pros
- 24/7 monitoring service
- Reliable GPS
- Excellent waterproofing
- Fall detection
- Access to nurses and doctors
Cons
- You have to pay extra for advanced features
Features
Lively Mobile Plus has everything an active older adult needs. The IPX7-rated waterproof casing holds precise GPS and fall sensors, making it appropriate for indoor and outdoor use. The waterproofing is so tight that you can even wear it while taking a full bath, not just a quick shower.
Units & Extras
That is a mobile unit, and you can wear it around your neck or in your pocket. If you want an emergency medical alert bracelet, Lively Wearable2 might be a good solution. It’s a smartwatch that connects to your smartphone.
The company also offers phones which are customized to suit older adults’ needs. Lively Flip and Jitterbug Smart2 have fewer options than regular phones, big letters, and visible alert buttons.
Call Center
GreatCall is very proud of its entirely US-based call centers. The users can speak to highly skilled support staff, registered nurses, and board-certified doctors 24/7, every day of the year.
Prices
Lively Mobile Plus device comes with a $49.99 price tag and a monthly subscription of $24.99. If you want to add more services, it will cost you extra. Fall detection and 5-Star Urgent Response Service will cost you an additional $15 per month.
Types of Medical Alert Devices
There are two basic types of these devices – stationary and mobile.
- Stationary – for or indoor use. These usually have a central (size of a Wi-Fi router) and several auxiliary units (mobile or fixed). The users hook up the central unit to an electric socket and a fixed telephone line and place extra units all over the house – usually close to “dangerous” places like bathtubs, staircases, etc.
- Mobile – designed to be carried as a pendant, necklace, or wristband. They are equipped with GPS sensors, have rechargeable batteries, and rely on 4G or 5G networks for connection.
How to Choose the Best Medical Alert System?
You have to consider your needs before buying – your usual activities and medical issues are some of them.
Monitored or Unmonitored?
The monitored devices come with a service. It includes access to a trained staff and emergency response in case of a fall-detector activation. With the unmonitored device, you add numbers you wish to be alerted in case of an emergency (family, friends, etc.), but you won’t have the company’s call center support.
Mobile or stationary?
If you are an active person, choose a mobile pendant with a GPS to give out your position. People who prefer to stay indoors should go for the fall alert systems with central units and wall-mounted and portable buttons. There are hybrid models, but keep in mind that GPS doesn’t work that well indoors, so the system should have mixed (A-GPS and Wi-Fi) location tracking.
Special Features
You should consider if you want features like fall detection and GPS. Each of them is useful, but they can drain the battery. Also, if they are low quality, they can send wrong locations or false alarms. You should choose features according to your needs. For instance, the best medical alert system for the hearing impaired should have a sensitive microphone and powerful but adjustable speakers.
Price
Keep in mind that many companies charge separately for the device, activation, and monthly service. You should consider all of these expenses because they can mount up.
Summary
It’s not easy to decide whom to entrust with our safety and wellbeing. A wrong choice could be quite costly. That’s why it’s necessary to research the company and decide on a service that best suits our needs.
People Also Ask
The American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) is devoted to empowering elderly individuals and, as such, recommends using alert systems in general. The organization does not recommend any specific model because people should choose them according to their needs.
It does, however, give guidelines on how to choose one, and many companies offer substantial discounts to AARP members, so visiting its website might be worth your while.
It is a competitive market, and there are many good services and devices around. Some of the best (in terms of high quality, good call centers, and excellent overall support) are MobileHelp Duo, Bay Alarm Medical, LifeStation, Medical Guardian – Classic, Phillips Go Safe 2.
When shopping around, always look for a good combination of people and technology because superior technology is not helpful if the support team is terrible, and vice versa.
In short, Medicare will not pay for medical alert systems, but Medicare C (AKA Medicare Advantage) or Medicaid could pay for some of the cost. Medicare C is optional medical insurance provided by private companies, so it depends on their policy and the contract you’ve signed.
The other option for getting a free alert service is going through Medicaid. In some states, it provides funding for the elderly without asking what the money is used for, as long it is for health benefits.
Med alert coverage depends on the type of medical insurance and the specific plan. Most health insurance companies don’t cover this type of service and devices.
However, some of them do. Various long-term care insurance plans cover these expenses, but it also depends on your specific plan. You should check your policy or consult with your representative to find out.
Yes, they are worth it. The busiest call centers answer a call every 7.5 seconds. And although not all of them are related to extreme situations, some of them are. That is a precautionary measure you hope you won’t ever need.
Besides lives saved, the most valuable benefit is that it empowers older people. They can be more active knowing that someone is watching over them. It takes a bit of research to find the best medical alert system for your needs, but it’s worth it. It doesn’t only save lives – it also changes them for the better.
