Best Medical Alert Systems of 2023: Top 9 Life Alert Devices and Buyer's Guide - ABC Action News Tampa Bay

Each year, astir 3 cardinal older radical sojourn the exigency section for a fall, according to the CDC [1]. If you are acrophobic astir yourself oregon a loved 1 falling portion alone, you're apt successful the marketplace for aesculapian alert systems.

It's casual to get overwhelmed erstwhile you comparison the galore options, particularly for thing arsenic indispensable arsenic a aesculapian alert system. 

We've done the legwork for you. In this guide, you tin find an overview of the champion aesculapian alert systems available. We outline wherefore we chose these brands and springiness you the pros and cons of each one, arsenic good arsenic spell implicit the idiosyncratic features each marque offers.

Our apical prime for the champion aesculapian alert strategy wide is MobileHelp. The multitude of further features disposable arsenic good arsenic a broad app for caregivers, makes it the winner. Next up, we person LifeFone, which provides stellar lawsuit enactment and a low-cost autumn detection service.

Best Medical Alert Systems

• MobileHelp - Overall champion aesculapian alert system
• LifeFone - Best lawsuit service
• Medical Guardian - Best for unlimited range
• Medical Care Alert - Best portable alert system
• Bay Alarm Medical - Most budget-friendly
• Aloe Care Health - Best for distant care
• Medical Alert - Best for enactment from a ample company
• LifeStation - Best family-owned company
• RescueTouch - Best for two-way communication

Selecting a aesculapian alert strategy requires cautious information of your needs oregon those of the idiosyncratic you’re buying it for. We simplify things by detailing cardinal features of the champion aesculapian alert systems connected the marketplace for you to choose. 

Top Medical Alert Systems Comparison

1. MobileHelp - Overall Best Medical Alert System

Pros

• Several at-home and on-to-go systems
• Compatible with some AT&T and LTE networks
• All devices person a wireless dependable and GPS integration
• Quality mobile app for caregivers
• Tons of utile add-ons

Cons

• Fall detection volition outgo extra
• Not each devices are compatible volition autumn protection

Why We Like MobileHelp

Based retired of Boca Raton, Florida, MobileHelp is simply a starring aesculapian alert systems supplier that serves clients crossed each 50 states. 

The institution offers respective at-home and on-the-go alert systems that acceptable assorted needs and situations. 

If you’re unsure what merchandise is the champion acceptable for you and your loved one, MobileHelp tin help. The institution website offers an in-depth questionnaire to pair you with the strategy that champion suits your situation.

Flexibility - 5/5

Regardless of which enactment you spell for, each devices are integrated with nationwide wireless voice, data, and GPS technology. 

In the lawsuit of a aesculapian emergency, a awesome is sent to MobileHelp’s specially-trained exigency operators. 

These professionals volition instantly found two-way connection and measure the situation. Depending connected what’s going on, the relation volition interaction a caregiver, household member, oregon exigency services.

If you don’t similar the thought of carrying astir a ample device, see purchasing the MobileHelp Micro. This is simply a tiny exigency instrumentality that tin beryllium worn astir your neck. The Micro is compatible with some the LTE and AT&T networks and tin adjacent beryllium worn successful the shower.

Caregiver Support - 4.8/5

Caregivers tin download the MobileHelp mobile app, allowing them to way and find the instrumentality and its wearer astatine each times. Not lone does it springiness the nonstop GPS coordinates, but it’ll besides amusement the wearer's enactment level. The app volition besides springiness disconnected an alert erstwhile the instrumentality is entering low-battery mode.

For other bid of mind, you tin acceptable up alerts to pass you of unusually precocious oregon debased activity. What’s more, there’s adjacent the enactment to acceptable medicine reminders. 

Price - 4.6/5

Packages scope from $37.99 to $64.99 per month, depending connected the chosen plan. Discounts are disposable connected Quarterly, Semi-Annual, and Annual plans.

For conscionable $5 per period extra, you tin bask tons of added bonus features, including instrumentality replacement protection, 25% disconnected accessories, and 50% disconnected add-ons similar medicine reminders and enactment tracking.

When taken vantage of, these discounts tin prevention you hundreds of dollars successful the agelong run. On apical of it all, the $5 per period other locks you into the aforesaid terms for 2 years, making you immune to immoderate emergence successful cost.

2. LifeFone - Best Customer Service

Pros

• Connects to Verizon and AT&T cellular networks for added range
• Fall detection work is lone $5, which is little than the $10 marketplace average
• Caregivers get entree to further accusation done the mobile app
• 32-hour backup provides cushion during powerfulness outages

Cons

• Monthly costs are higher than galore different aesculapian alert systems
• Extra complaint for the mobile app
• The in-home strategy does not connection caregiver app
• No dependable activation

Why We Like LifeFone

LifeFone's website says the institution is "the archetypal work supplier to connection consumer-friendly work policies." Those who privation much accusation tin click to read autarkic reviews and accolades with an extended customer-review section. 

Consumers tin find plentifulness of enactment connected the website, from online merchandise guides to telephone numbers for circumstantial inquiries. You volition find reassurance and elaborate accusation astir the aesculapian alert systems you're considering. LifeFone reviews besides amusement that consumers are highly satisfied with lawsuit enactment and after-sale services.

Flexibility 4.6/5

LifeFone uses AT&T and Verizon 4G signals, whereas astir different companies enactment with lone 1 carrier. The further sum offers you bid of caput if the idiosyncratic travels often.

Plug it in, crook connected the basal and propulsion the wearable fastener to corroborate a nexus to the monitoring halfway — that's each that setup requires. A elemental activation process is perfect for users who don't privation to walk overmuch clip mounting up analyzable aesculapian alert systems.

Caregiver Support 4.8/5

LifeFone has a mobile caregiver app that shows a elaborate representation of the user's activity. 

Caregivers tin presumption the user's location, measurement tracker, and regular archetypal motion. They tin besides cheque the device's button-press past and artillery life. 

Price 4.7/5

The optional autumn detection work is lone $5 per period wherever different products complaint $10 monthly for the aforesaid service. This is an fantabulous bargain to brace with LifeFone's high-quality product.

LifeFone's basal terms is $24.95 which is higher than astir competitors, but it offers little costly autumn detection. In addition, LifeFone does not complaint users for hardware oregon activation fees — you simply wage for the services. You tin besides get a discount for paying annually. 

3. Medical Guardian - Best for Unlimited Range 

Pros

• Quick effect times
• Industry-leading offer
• Mobile instrumentality functions arsenic a hub
• Caregivers link done the MyGuardian lawsuit attraction portal

Cons

• Higher basal monthly program costs than galore aesculapian alert systems
• Relatively precocious outgo for the wearable device
• Home devices outgo higher than astir competitors

Why We Like Medical Guardian

With Medical Guardian, you don't person to interest astir staying adjacent to the instrumentality base. The home-based Classic Guardian and Home 2.0 systems connection a singular 1,400 feet of range, the longest connected the market.

Flexibility 4.8/5

At fractional the width of accepted devices, the MiniGuardian is discreet. It features a loop clip and magnetic lanyard, allowing the idiosyncratic to connect it to accessories oregon covering oregon deterioration it astir the neck.

The lightweight Mobile 2.0 instrumentality besides attaches to accessories and covering arsenic good arsenic syncs with the included wristband oregon necklace. The wearer tin bask excursions without a bulky device, giving the payment of privateness and discretion.

Caregiver Support 4.9/5

Caregivers tin way their loved ones done the MyGuardian app. They tin spot the user's enactment history, location, and instrumentality status. These options connection caregivers bid of caput due to the fact that they tin follow up connected the idiosyncratic astatine each times, not conscionable during an emergency.

All products connection entree to the MyGuardian portal, letting you pass with your designated Care Circle. You tin besides entree your billing accusation and reappraisal past connected the Mobile 2.0 and MiniGuardian devices.

Price 4.6/5

Systems commencement astatine $27.45 per month. If you privation the lowest monthly price, you indispensable motion up for a semiannual oregon yearly plan. This committedness tin beryllium discouraging if you don't privation to person a semipermanent obligation. However, the institution doesn't complaint cancellation fees, and it offers a prorated refund for the unused days of service.

Like different brands, the MiniGuardian, Active Guardian, and Mobile 2.0 wearable devices connection up to 5 days of artillery life, letting users spell longer betwixt charges. These aesculapian alert systems are water-resistant, usage GPS tracking, and supply two-way connection extracurricular the home.

4. Medical Care Alert - Best Portable Alert System

Pros

• Large assistance button
• Plans starting from little than $1/day
• Battery lasts up to 3 days
• A+ standing with the BB
• Two US-based monitoring centers

Cons

• Caregiver app is precise basic
• Only 2 models available

Why We Like Medical Care Alert

Medical Care Alert holds an A+ standing with the BBB and a ‘Monitoring Center of the Year’ grant from the CSAA. The institution runs 2 US-based monitoring centers successful New York and California. 

It’s an fantabulous enactment for those aft an affordable alert systems supplier with nary hidden fees and nary semipermanent commitment.

Flexibility - 4.4/5

Compared to galore different providers, Medical Care Alert is refreshingly simple. You’re instantly connected with an EMT/EMD-certified relation with 1 click of the button.

The instrumentality is small, lightweight, and tin beryllium clipped to conscionable astir immoderate garment, slung astir the neck, oregon worn arsenic a watch. The artillery holds a complaint for up to 3 days and is afloat GPS compatible.

The institution besides sells a Home device. Once installed, it covers the full location and supports two-way communication.

Both Home and Away devices utilize A-GPS (a much precise mentation of modular GPS). You besides person built-in entree to the AT&T and Verizon Wireless cellular networks.

Caregiver Support - 4/5

Medical Care Alerts offers a free, easy-to-set-up mobile app that’s some elemental and effective. Once installed, this app volition let caregivers to way the determination and presumption immoderate alerts, letting them cognize who needs assistance and what they need.

The app volition besides nonstop retired SMS substance connection alerts to immoderate listed numbers, which is large for keeping household and loved ones informed.

Finally, the institution staffs Spanish-speaking operators connected each shift. All two-way communications tin beryllium conducted successful Spanish if request be.

Price - 4.4/5

Medical Care Alerts is highly affordable, and a elemental Home strategy tin beryllium purchased for conscionable $1/day. If you sign-up for a afloat twelvemonth of service, the institution volition springiness you 1 period for free, which is 1 of the amended deals we’ve travel across.

The portable Home & Away strategy is simply a spot much costly and volition outgo $39.95/month. Like the Home system, an yearly subscription volition get you 1 period free.

Fall Detection is disposable for some plans astatine an other $10/month and the extended extortion costs an other $5/month.

5. Bay Alarm Medical - Most Budget-Friendly 

Pros

• Basic program offers escaped equipment
• Upfront costs are among the lowest among aesculapian alert systems
• No fees for cancellation
• Attractive SOS Smartwatch option

Cons

• Slower effect clip than competitors
• SOS Smartwatch enactment is pricey
• Mobile GPS fastener has a instrumentality fee

Why We Like Bay Alarm Medical

With monthly costs ranging from $19.95 to $39.95, Bay Alarm's rates are among the astir competitive. In addition, it offers a no-minimum declaration length. Other aesculapian alert systems person this benefit, too, but it is simply a bully perk successful operation with Bay Alarm's pricing.

Flexibility 4.5/5

The SOS Smartwatch is simply a sleek, discreet prime for on-the-go care. It has a ticker face, transportation signal, and measurement tracker. 

The dedicated SOS fastener activates the 24/7 exigency dispatch halfway with two-way communication. Caregivers are alerted on with 911 services if needed, and the SOS Smartwatch does not necessitate the idiosyncratic to person a smartphone.

Caregiver Support 4.8/5

The caregiver app connects to a tracking instrumentality that allows you to spot the user's determination and enactment history. It includes artillery beingness detection and country upwind reports. 

These features are useful for caregivers who unrecorded immoderate region distant and privation to cognize astir their loved one's surroundings and activity.

Price 4.9/5

You won't find activation fees with Bay Alarm Medical's packages. These expenses often adhd up to $99, truthful their basal in-home bundle is an fantabulous prime for customers connected a budget. 

Like respective different aesculapian alert systems, Bay Alarm Medical has a 30-day risk-free proceedings truthful that you tin effort the merchandise without worrying astir unwanted purchases.

The useful features of the SOS Smartwatch travel with a terms tag, though. The instrumentality is $179 positive $29.95 per period for the services.

The mobile GPS fastener besides carries a one-time acquisition interest of $99. While Bay Alarm Medical gets kudos for being casual connected the wallet among home-based aesculapian alert systems, customers funny successful mobile features whitethorn find that different products are much budget-friendly.

6. Aloe Care Health - Best for Remote Care

Pros

• Comprehensive mobile app
• Hub is voice-activated
• Monitoring work has precocious ratings
• Mobile app provides unrecorded updates connected the user's status

Cons

• High upfront outgo for devices
• Slower-than-average effect times
• Bulky mobile device

Why We Like Aloe Care Health

Aloe Care Health demonstrates that the institution is tech-savvy. The hands-free exertion stands retired from different aesculapian alert systems. It offers a voice-activated hub, biology and question sensors, and a user-friendly mobile app. The two-way connection hub is hands-free.

Flexibility 4.8/5

The idiosyncratic tin activate the exigency strategy by pushing a button, but the hands-free, voice-activated enactment adds further bid of mind.

Aloe Care Health offers respective packages from which to choose. The Essentials bundle provides a strategy autarkic of Wi-Fi coverage. It’s an fantabulous prime for users who don't person entree to Wi-Fi oregon person an unreliable WiFi connection.

Caregiver Support 4.9/5

Designated caregivers tin person automatic notifications erstwhile the idiosyncratic calls for help — adjacent earlier the monitoring strategy answers the call.

Aloe Care Health caters to the needs of caregivers. Its high-quality caregiver app lets loved ones cheque connected the user's activity, location, and well-being via unrecorded updates. 

They tin besides marque nonstop calls to the attraction halfway oregon the idiosyncratic done the app. In addition, caregivers tin usage the mobile app arsenic a messaging strategy to speech to each other.

You tin integrate Aloe Care with astute devices and appliances astir the home, including stove monitors, fume detectors, and h2o leak sensors.

Price 4.7/5

The mobile companion's basal terms is $24.00 per month. Aloe Care Health offers a no-contract argumentation and a 30-day money-back warrant comparable to different aesculapian alert systems. All packages person an up-front hardware outgo that varies depending connected your package.

Aloe Care Health's mobile instrumentality is somewhat bulkier than different brands, and the instrumentality is comparatively expensive. However, it's a bully prime if you're looking for a high-tech strategy that makes it elemental to pass with your loved 1 and different caregivers.

7. Medical Alert - Best for Large Company Support 

Pros

• Monthly outgo little than different brands
• No instrumentality fees
• Support from the largest aesculapian alert systems brand

Cons

• Extra shipping costs
• Website could beryllium much comprehensive
• Not galore bells and whistles

Why We Like Medical Alert

If you privation the assurance of moving with a ample business, it's hard to bushed Medical Alert. It is 1 of the nation's largest aesculapian alert companies. It is simply a portion of Connect America, which has been manufacturing aesculapian alert systems for years. These factors tin beryllium important to idiosyncratic who values stableness and experience.

Flexibility 4.7/5

Setup is quick, with a fastener propulsion confirming the strategy is activated. Medical Alert encourages users to trial their systems monthly. This enactment helps users cognize it is working, and they don't person to consciousness similar they are tying up the lines for existent emergencies.

Medical Alert's instrumentality stands retired from different aesculapian alert systems arsenic you tin cancel an exigency call. 

The idiosyncratic whitethorn propulsion the fastener accidentally oregon determine that the concern is not arsenic atrocious arsenic it archetypal seemed. This enactment is beneficial due to the fact that users tin alteration their minds oregon close a mistake without the embarrassment of activating an exigency call.

Caregiver Support 4.8/5

The escaped caregiver app includes lawsuit support, automatic updates, propulsion notifications for emergent situations. GPS monitoring allows aggregate caregivers to entree the app.

Price 4.3/5

Medical Alert's home-based strategy starts astatine an affordable $19.95 per month. You tin take a landline oregon compartment telephone work offering users much flexibility. 

Mobile options commencement astatine $39.95 per month, but lone if you wage annually. Otherwise, you wage $42.95 per period oregon $39.95 per period connected a semiannual outgo plan.

8. LifeStation - Best Family-Owned Company 

Pros

• System compatible with Amazon Alexa
• Established, family-owned company
• Uses an in-house monitoring center
• Fast effect times
• No instrumentality fees

Cons

• Mobile work is much costly than the marketplace average
• No medicine reminders oregon wellness checks available
• Wearable assistance buttons person a abbreviated range

Why We Like LifeStation

LifeStation was founded successful 1977 successful Union, New Jersey, and is simply a family-owned institution that focuses solely connected aesculapian alert systems. The concern has not branched retired into different services, allowing it to supply a high-quality merchandise that meets its customers' needs.

LifeStation besides partners with different companies, specified arsenic healthcare providers, elder surviving communities, and companies that request lone-worker solutions.

Flexibility 4.5/5

LifeStation's home-based instrumentality has a scope of 600 feet. This region is tiny compared to different devices that connection a 1,000-foot scope oregon larger. However, 600 feet is inactive the magnitude of 2 shot fields, truthful galore users whitethorn not person an contented with the constricted range.

LifeStation operators enactment connected the telephone with users, if desired, until assistance arrives and is simply a work that not each institution offers. Being unsocial and helpless tin beryllium frightening, and having the enactment to enactment connected tin relieve anxiety.

The wearable Sidekick instrumentality is compatible with Amazon Alexa. It besides weighs little than fractional an ounce, making it comfy to wear.

Caregiver Support 3.7/5

The Find My Loved One app is escaped with the mobile alert system. Caregivers tin brace their Alexa instrumentality with the strategy to find the user.

Price 4.2/5

Sidekick Smart is simply a stylish smartwatch enactment with determination services, ticker face, pedometer, bosom complaint monitor, and upwind forecast. The smartwatch is $43.95 per month.

LifeStation's basal terms is debased astatine $21.95 per period if you wage annually. The website directs consumers to telephone the institution for purchases. However, immoderate radical whitethorn entity to being incapable to marque purchases online.

9. RescueTouch - Best for Two-Way Communication 

Pros

• Excellent two-way communication
• Non-monitored plans available
• Price fastener ensures idiosyncratic rates ne'er increase
• Location tracking

Cons

• Only 1 exemplary to choose
• One of the astir costly plans
• No in-home instrumentality options

Why We Like RescueTouch

RescueTouch stands retired among different aesculapian alert systems focusing connected two-way calling. 

The instrumentality allows the idiosyncratic to adhd up to 5 radical to scope for assistance successful spot of exigency assistance. 

You tin telephone idiosyncratic done the instrumentality without activating exigency services. That tin marque radical much apt to usage it successful immoderate situations.

Likewise, radical tin interaction loved ones connected the instrumentality by calling a telephone fig assigned to it. This enactment offers further bid of caput if the idiosyncratic does not reply the phone.

Flexibility 4.8/5

RescueTouch offers unmonitored program options. Instead of connecting to a center, the instrumentality reaches a designated caregiver. You tin brace autumn detection and a chit-chat duplicate battalion with the unmonitored plan, some perfect erstwhile caregivers are adjacent to cheque connected the user. 

The chit-chat duplicate battalion is suitable for a two-member household, allowing state to permission the country without worry.

Caregiver Support 3.5/5

If you privation nonrecreational monitoring services, you tin brace them with two-way connection options oregon conscionable take exigency services. The scope of options is bully to person arsenic your loved one's needs change.

However, RescueTouch doesn't connection a caregiver app. This whitethorn discourage loved ones who request to way the idiosyncratic without a conversation.

Price 4.5/5

Plans commencement astatine $29 per month, and similar different brands, RescueTouch allows you to effort its services for 30 days. It besides offers escaped shipping, an enactment to cancel astatine immoderate time, and a locked-in terms aft signing up.

There is nary landline transportation with RescueTouch, truthful the enactment to person a standalone home-based strategy is out. However, if you're looking for a basal program that lets household members pass with the enactment to telephone exigency services, RescueTouch is simply a worthy contender.

>>Check the champion terms for RescueTouch here

How We Ranked Medical Alert Systems

While determination are a assortment of aesculapian alert devices connected the market, we judge merchandise flexibility is essential. Flexibility tin encompass a assortment of features, specified arsenic simplicity, easiness of usage portion traveling, aggregate program options, and a wide prime of hardware.

Caregiver enactment is an indispensable alert strategy feature. Family, friends, and neighbors are invested successful their loved one's well-being and privation the quality to show them portion they're away. The much elaborate the accusation is for the caregiver, the better.

Price is ever a information for astir consumers, though galore customers are consenting to wage much for a higher-rated system. However, those connected a fund request accusation astir little costly aesculapian alert systems, which tin inactive service arsenic a lifeline without the extras. 

Fortunately, assorted packages are disposable to conscionable a scope of needs and terms points.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Do I Need a Medical Alert System?

It depends. If you unrecorded unsocial and are astatine hazard of falling oregon experiencing a aesculapian emergency, a medic alert strategy whitethorn payment you. We usually place these devices with the elderly, but anyone – careless of property – whitethorn necessitate one.

Doesn't a Cell Phone Offer Enough Protection?

No. Dedicated in-home, wearable aesculapian alert systems are ever available, adjacent erstwhile the user's telephone is retired of reach.

What If the Wearer Is Not High-Risk?

Some aesculapian alert systems enactment arsenic connection devices with caregivers. You tin rapidly check-in without needing to summon exigency services.

How Do Medical Alert Systems Work?

These systems connection the idiosyncratic a transportation to loved ones oregon exigency services done a fastener oregon dependable activation. The devices are intended to beryllium worn astatine each times if idiosyncratic falls oregon is incapable to question help.

How Old Are Medical Alert Systems?

The archetypal aesculapian alert instrumentality was invented successful the 1970s. While exertion has evolved, the push-button method is inactive standard.

How Do I Choose the Best Medical Alert System?

Use our usher astatine the opening of this nonfiction arsenic a starting point. 

Evaluate features and see your must-haves (low price, quality to travel, etc.). Also, look for a money-back warrant successful lawsuit the strategy isn’t the close acceptable for you.

The Final Word connected Medical Alert Systems

While determination are galore aesculapian alert systems from which to choose, we person assembled this usher to assistance you reappraisal the apical brands connected the market. 

Our apical proposal is MobileHelp. This institution has a precise originative connection strategy that connects diligent and caregiver apps. LifeFone is simply a adjacent runner-up for its lawsuit enactment and after-sale services.

Related Articles:

• LifeFone Reviews

References

1. “Facts astir Falls.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6 Aug. 2021, https://www.cdc.gov/falls/facts.html. 

(DCD), Digital Communications Division. “Caregiver Resources & Long-Term Care.” HHS.gov, 20 Oct. 2020, https://www.hhs.gov/aging/long-term-care/index.html.