Best Medical Alert Systems 2023: Top 5 Medical Device Reviews
Reviewed by Dr. Drew Sutton, MD
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Even when we grow older or deal with a debilitating sickness, the ability to feel free and independent is important. Hence, you might be interested in learning more about medical alert systems if you’re an older adult, a caregiver, or someone who lives alone.
Medical alert systems are essential for guaranteeing protection and safety when aging in place. The greatest medical alert systems can offer older people essential support, but features and costs differ. The goal is to find a system that fits your specific requirements, budget, and lifestyle.
To assist you in choosing the best medical alert system for you or a loved one, we have reviewed and tested the top systems now available in the medical alert industry. Let’s look at the top medical alert systems for 2022.
The 5 Best Medical Alert Systems In 2023
- LifeFone – Most Affordable Medical Alert System with Fall Detection
- GetSafe – Best Medical Alert Systems of 2022
- Medical Guardian – Top medical alert companies in the United States
- MobileHelp – Best Tablet Medical Alert System
- Bay Alarm Medical – Best Smartwatch Medical Alert System
Features Of The Best Medical Alert Systems
Most medical alert companies offer additional features and options in addition to the typical medical alert system components, which you might wish to take into account. Here are the most recent ones and how they function:
- GPS Locating
- Caregiver Tools
- Automatic Fall Detection Sensors
- Environmental Monitoring
Best Medical Alert Systems 2023: Top 5 Medical Device Reviews
LifeFone
With its company offices in White Plains, New York, LifeFone was established in 1976. It provides mobile system apps, medication reminders, and on-the-go and at-home medical alert systems covered, all of which are beneficial to caregivers.
- Free spousal monitoring
- No startup costs for equipment, activation, or anything else
- Free add-ons offered include medication reminder monitoring and wellness checks
- No smartwatches are offered.
Couples who want to safely age in place might save money by using LifeFone. The business offers lifetime client pricing guarantees, no activation fees, free monitoring for spouses with basic service, and no equipment fees (other medical alert companies charge full price to cover a second person). They offer a 30-day risk-free trial period for all of their systems. They will give you a complete money-back guarantee, less any free ground shipping expenses you may have paid when you signed up if you return the equipment to them within 30 days at your expense.
LifeFone offers four medical alert devices that can be customized to meet your needs: the at-home landline cellular connection plan, at-home cellular, at-home, and on-the-go GPS, and the at-home and on-the-go GPS voice-in-necklace device.
GetSafe
GetSafe medical alert system may attract seniors seeking an innovative device that uses voice-activated, two-way speakers rather than wearable emergency responders buttons.
- Coverage for 60 days in empty properties is provided
- Easily handle your policy
- Insurance for visitors’ possessions covered
- One-time equipment fee required
The only medical alert provider on this list that uses voice-activated emergency monitoring is GetSafe, which enables users to simply tell their gadget to call for assistance rather than pressing a button.
The Starter, Standard, and Select are the three plans that the medical alert company offers. The base device, voice-activated system, and wall-mounted button are included with each plan. Although the technology is voice-activated and hands-free, wearing a pendant is still an option. Moreover, they feature a backup battery life.
Medical Guardian
Medical Guardian serves as a personal emergency response system. There are five products available from the company, including Classic Guardian (landline), Home 2.0, Mobile 2.0, Mini Guardian, and Active Guardian. A medical alert system is available to suit different lifestyles.
- 24/7 United States-based monitoring center
- A large number of extra features
- Adaptable device packages
- Upfront costs and fees on the higher end
A great option for anyone who wants to customize their device packages is Medical Guardian. You may customize any device with the company’s extensive list of add-on features to meet your needs, including lockboxes, automatic fall detection, emergency notifications, emergency wall buttons, and more.
Because GPS tracking is a standard feature of all portable devices, Monitoring Center staff members will constantly be aware of your exact location. If you choose an in-home system, the Home 2.0 and Classic Guardian both have an in-home system range of 1,400 feet and a 32-hour backup battery life.
MobileHelp
Since many seniors live on fixed incomes, every dollar counts. With the longest in-home ranges, MobileHelp provides one of the most affordable monthly monitoring costs.
- Long in-home range
- Risk-free, 30-day trial
- No landline required
- Money back guarantee
- May require an activation fee
Rapid Response, which constantly obtains best-in-class ratings, is how MobileHelp offers to monitor. Additionally, MobileHelp provides a variety of mobile medical alert system options, including the Classic, Wired Home, Solo, Mobile Duo, MobileHelp Duo, and Touch, to suit your needs.
There are additional costs for medical alert services, such as automatic fall detection, starting at $19.95 per month. Despite the low cost, you receive a range of 1,400 feet, backup power in case of power outages, different alarm methods to let you tailor your plan, and no equipment or activation costs. You also receive the MobileHelp Connect app, which notifies family members and caregivers and tracks the medical alert system user’s progress.
Bay Alarm Medical
Medical alert systems are remote-operated, so having access to trustworthy customer service is essential. Bay Alarm is suggested if you’re looking for a personal emergency response system with the best customer support.
- High customer satisfaction ratings
- Risk-free, 30-day trial
- Support for more than 170 languages
- Premium features cost extra
Bay Alarm Medical’s website makes it easier for you to do so. Moreover, it gives you detailed directions on how to do so and even allows you to use an automated process to cancel your account for specific reasons, as opposed to making it more challenging for you to do so.
Additionally, the business’s TMA Five Diamond Certified monitoring facility hires call center staff that can support more than 170 languages. The in-home, on-the-go, on-the-road, and SOS Smartwatch devices are just a few of the four affordable medical alert systems that the company offers. Every system has a medical care alert button that should be pressed in case of an emergency. Mobile medical alert devices plug into the cigarette lighter of your car while the on-the-go device is worn around your neck.
How Does Medical Alert Systems Work?
Medical alert systems have a base unit that remains in one place, called the home unit. These are often plug-in devices. Most medical alert systems include a neck- or wrist-mounted wearable button. You press this button to turn on the system in an emergency. This connects you with a dispatcher at an emergency monitoring center who can evaluate the situation and contact emergency services right away if necessary.
Most medical alert systems also feature automatic fall detection, which immediately summons assistance without the user having to press a button. Best medical alert systems also include a GPS-enabled mobile medical alert systems variant that lets you maintain coverage and security outside the house.
How Valuable Are Medical Alert Systems?
It’s not simple to decide whether to get a medical alert system, especially if money is a concern. This raises the question of whether these systems are worthwhile for many people. Yes, they can be a worthwhile investment in your health and safety if the gadget is worn regularly and you are aware of how the system operates.
Types Of Medical Alert Systems
Since the initial “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up” TV commercial for these life-saving devices appeared in 1989, medical alert system technology has grown by leaps and bounds. Although the fundamental operation of medical alert systems has not changed, there are presently three main types of systems available to fit various circumstances:
- Mobile System
- Landline Systems
- In-Vehicle Systems
How Much Does A Medical Alert System Cost?
Prices for medical alert systems and emergency call monitoring services can vary widely because most medical alert providers set their rates. The following elements most frequently contribute to an emergency call system’s overall cost:
- Activation fees
- Equipment costs
- 24/7 emergency call monitoring
- Installation
- Extra help buttons, pendants, and devices
- Special devices
- Cellular medical alert system service
- PIN-protected lockboxes
- Device protection plans
- Medication reminders and wellness checks
How Can I Pick The Right Medical Alert System?
It can take some effort and research on your part to pick the best medical alert system, which is a huge decision. But you can speed up the process by reading reviews, consulting your doctor, asking a trustworthy friend or relative, and calling the business directly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Thousands of reviews and suggestions for the top medical alert system are available online. However, the medical alert system you choose to employ is ultimately the best one available. Three of the top-rated medical alert systems on the market are Medical Guardian, Bay Alarm, and Medical Alerts.
A medical alert system’s equipment costs and per-month subscription fees quickly add up. Many seniors are now left to wonder whether their insurance will cover a system. However, that varies. You must read over your benefits by contacting an insurance company representative or going to the plan’s website.
There are no medical alert systems that are free. Some businesses include equipment provisions in the contract, and you only need to pay a monthly call service price. Other businesses charge an upfront fee for the equipment but not a recurring monthly fee.
In general, senior citizens are considered while designing medical alert systems. Therefore, the first step in choosing the best medical alert systems for seniors is deciding which features are necessary, how much you want to pay, and if you need a system that works only at home or one that operates both at home and when on the move.
Both a landline and a wireless landline cellular network are supported by medical alert systems. Make sure to read the fine print because not all medical alert systems include both alternatives. Additionally, a wireless subscription is required if you use a mobile medical alert device.
+ 9 sources
MIDSS adheres to strict procurement guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutes, and medical associations. We work mainly with peer-reviewed studies to ensure the accuracy of the information. We avoid the use of tertiary references. You can read about how we ensure the accuracy and timeliness of our content in our editorial process.
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- National Council on Aging. (2022). 12 Best Medical Alert Systems in 2022 | NCOA.org. [online] Available at: https://www.ncoa.org/adviser/medical-alert-systems/best-medical-alert-systems [Accessed 25 Jul. 2022].
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- Hampshire, K. and Elliott, J. (2022). MobileHelp Medical Alert System Review 2022 | U.S. News. [online] Usnews.com. Available at: https://www.usnews.com/360-reviews/services/medical-alert-system/mobilehelp [Accessed 25 Jul. 2022].
- Caring.com. (2022). Bay Alarm Medical Medical Alert System Review – Caring.com. [online] Available at: https://www.caring.com/best-medical-alert-systems/bay-alarm-medical/ [Accessed 25 Jul. 2022].
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