Choosing a Medical Alert System
Medical alert systems are a brilliant invention that has allowed elderly and disabled individuals greater reassurance that they can get help when they need it most. These wearable devices simply require a push of a button in one’s most vulnerable time to connect them to a competent dispatcher that can determine what type of emergency care they need. These professionals then communicate with those needed immediately to initiate their services to the location of the person who’s hurt or impaired. This is particularly valuable when an elderly or disabled person is alone and may not be able to easily recover from a fall or other injury in order to call for help on their own. The following article discusses the features and costs associated with several medical alert systems that are currently available.
1st Step: Answer these Three (3) Key Questions:
Do you want a home-based or mobile system?
Originally, medical alert systems were designed to function off your home landline phone. These systems are still available today. In addition to a landline phone, companies also have expanded this home-based service to be connected to a mobile phone that will operate as the main station within your home. When the wearable device button is pressed, a dispatcher will be contacted and speak to the person in need through a main base unit located somewhere in the home.
Mobile systems can still operate much like home-based systems while a person is still in their home, but they also provide the added support when that person ventures outside of the home as well. These systems operate off of the person’s cellular service and with added GPS tracking systems embedded in their phones. This way, they can initiate a dispatcher to help them wherever they go.
Whether you choose a home-based or mobile system mainly depends on how active the adult is and if they leave the home frequently or are usually in the home instead.
Monitored System or Not
The nine (9) devices that will be discussed in detail below are all monitored systems. This means that they will be automatically connected to a 24/7 medical dispatcher if the emergency button is pressed. In cases where the system is not monitored, the trigger button will instead contact friends or family that are programmed into the device as emergency contacts. Oftentimes these non-monitored systems will call an emergency service by default if the friend/family contacts do not answer the call.
Beyond what each device actually offers, the main differences between monitored and systems that are unmonitored is the price. Because a monitored device offers the service of a 24/7 emergency dispatcher to help assess the situation and retrieve the appropriate help, the price is higher. These systems have a monthly service charge as well as the cost of the device and set-up fees.
Is Fall-Detection Feature Necessary?
Some monitored systems have the added option for automatic fall detection software built into their wearable emergency devices. If the device senses the person has fallen, an emergency dispatcher will be called immediately whether or not the button is pressed. This can be very valuable in situations where the person is too frail or injured to press the button on their own. This additional service is typically funded through an additional monthly fee of approximately $15 depending on the company. Keep in mind, however, these systems are not well-refined and do not always function as intended. Sometimes they can trigger a dispatcher when a fall has not occurred and other times the fall detection does not accurately trigger a dispatcher when a fall has indeed occurred.
Nine (9) Medical Alert Systems
Below are features and cost comparisons of nine (9) popular and quality monitored medical alert systems. All of these companies have dispatch call centers within the US or Canada, have an in-home call radius of approximately 100 yards, and contain water-proof wearable devices.
It is advisable to determine if a device has a return policy in the event the adult is hearing impaired and upon purchase it is established the user cannot hear the dispatcher on the highest setting. Also be informed that salespersons are able to give out discounts over the phone so it is a good idea to call the manufacturer for a deal. It is also best practice to allow the potential user to be involved in choosing the best system for themselves so they can provide input on what features they need the most.
Bay Alarm Medical
Monthly in-home landline service: $20
Monthly in-home cellular service: $30
Monthly mobile GPS service: $25-$30
Cost for added fall detection: $10
Commitment/contract: none
Activation fee: none
Cancellation fee: None – full refund + shipping within 30 days
Certified Monitor Center: Underwriters Laboratories (UL)
Multiple Languages: Yes (180) – setting chosen upon purchase
Network mobile system server: AT&T
Non-emergency Customer Service hours: 6am-5pm PST M-F; 8am-4:30pm PST Sat/Sun
In-home Call Button Battery Life: 5 years w/ fall detection; 2 years w/o fall detection
Mobile unit Battery Life: 4 days
Contact Info: bayalarmmedical.com; (877) 522-9633
GreatCall Lively Mobile Plus
Monthly in-home landline service: N/A
Monthly in-home cellular service: $25-$50/ $50 device fee
Monthly mobile GPS service: $25-$50/ $50 device fee
Cost for added fall detection: $15
Commitment/contract: none
Activation fee: $35 (phone)/ $25 (online)
Cancellation fee: None – full refund minus shipping and restocking fee ($10) within 30 days
Certified Monitor Center: International Academies of Emergency Dispatch
Multiple Languages: Yes (100)
Network mobile system server: Verizon
Non-emergency Customer Service hours: 6am-7pm PST M-Sat; 7am-4pm PST Sun
In-home Call Button Battery Life: N/A
Mobile unit Battery Life: Up to 80 hours
Contact Info: greatcall.com; (866) 359-5606
Life Alert
Monthly in-home landline service: $49
Monthly in-home cellular service: $49
Monthly mobile GPS service: $19
Cost for added fall detection: N/A
Commitment/contract: 36 months/3 years (void if transferred to nursing home, has 24-hour professional care, or passes away)
Activation fee: $0-$95, depending on plan
Cancellation fee: situational determination
Certified Monitor Center: UL, TMA (CSAA) Five Diamond Certified Monitoring Center
Multiple Languages: Dispatchers – Yes, no translator service
Network mobile system server: AT&T
Non-emergency Customer Service hours: 6am-6pm PST M-F; 6:30am-3pm PST Sat; 7am-1pm PST Sun
In-home Call Button Battery Life: 10 years
Mobile unit Battery Life: Indefinite – no charging needed
Contact Info: lifealert.com; (800) 360-0329
LifeStation
Monthly in-home landline service: $22
Monthly in-home cellular service: $31
Monthly mobile GPS service: $38
Cost for added fall detection: $10
Commitment/contract: none
Activation fee: none
Cancellation fee: None – full refund minus shipping fee within 30 days
Certified Monitor Center: UL and TMA
Multiple Languages: Yes (240+) via third-party interpreter
Network mobile system server: AT&T and Verizon
Non-emergency Customer Service hours: 24/7
In-home Call Button Battery Life: 5 years
Mobile unit Battery Life: 5 days
Contact Info: lifestation.com; (855) 701-0968
Medical Alert
Monthly in-home landline service: $20
Monthly in-home cellular service: $30
Monthly mobile GPS service: $38
Cost for added fall detection: $10
Commitment/contract: none
Activation fee: none
Cancellation fee: None – full refund within 30 days
Certified Monitor Center: UL, Factory Mutual Global (FMG)
Multiple Languages: Yes – setting chosen upon purchase
Network mobile system server: AT&T
Non-emergency Customer Service hours: 9am-8pm ET M-F; 9am-6pm ET Sat; 9am-5pm ET Sun
In-home Call Button Battery Life: 5+ years
Mobile unit Battery Life: Up to 36 hours
Contact Info: medicalalert.com, (800) 800-2537
Medical Guardian
Monthly in-home landline service: $30
Monthly in-home cellular service: $35
Monthly mobile GPS service: $40 (Active Guardian) / $45 (Mobile Guardian)
Cost for added fall detection: $10
Commitment/contract: none
Activation fee: none
Cancellation fee: None – prorated refund including shipping costs within 10 days
Certified Monitor Center: UL, TMA Five Diamond, Electronic Security Association, FMG
Multiple Languages: Yes (Spanish) / Third-party translator for other languages
Network mobile system server: AT&T
Non-emergency Customer Service hours: 9am-9pm ET M-F; 9am-5pm ET Sat
In-home Call Button Battery Life: 5 years
Mobile unit Battery Life: 24 hours or 5 days, depending on the system
Contact Info: medicalguardian.com; (800) 668-9200
MobileHelp
Monthly in-home landline service: $20 (by phone request)
Monthly in-home cellular service: $20
Monthly mobile GPS service: $25 (by phone request)
Cost for added fall detection: $10/$7.50 if combined with equipment protection
Commitment/contract: none
Activation fee: none/ processing fee may apply for certain plans
Cancellation fee: none (full refund including shipping costs within 30 days / prorated refund minus shipping costs within 30 days)
Certified Monitor Center: UL
Multiple Languages: Yes (240) via third-party translator service
Network mobile system server: AT&T
Non-emergency Customer Service hours: 8am-8pm ET M-F; 9am-6pm ET Sat
In-home Call Button Battery Life: 8-10 years
Mobile unit Battery Life: 48 hours in-use / 5 days in standby mode
Contact Info: mobilehelp.com; (800) 764-2091
Philips Lifeline
Monthly in-home landline service: $30/$45 depending on plan
Monthly in-home cellular service: $44/$59, depending on plan
Monthly mobile GPS service: $50 ($100 one-time device fee)
Cost for added fall detection: $0-$15, depending on equipment and plan
Commitment/contract: none
Activation fee: $0-$50
Cancellation fee: none
Certified Monitor Center: UL
Multiple Languages: Yes (200+)
Network mobile system server: AT&T
Non-emergency Customer Service hours: 8am-8:30pm ET M-F; 9am-5:30pm ET Sat
In-home Call Button Battery Life: 5 years
Mobile unit Battery Life: 2-3 days/ 7 days depending on service
Contact Info: lifeline.philips.com; (855) 681-5351