According to CDC data, millions of people 65 and older fall every year, with 800,000 of those falls resulting in hospitalization for injuries. Additionally, the same fact sheet states that falling once doubles your risk of falling again.
Your independence is valuable, and you should not have to give it up because you are getting older. All you need is a dependable method to get help when you need it, and it should be easy and quick.
We have tested and compared the best medical alert systems to help you stay safe and independent at home—and give you more time to spend with loved ones. A medical alert system gives you access to unlimited support wherever and whenever—if you have an emergency while running errands or fall at home alone. But with so many different systems on the market, how do you know which one is right for you and your lifestyle?
Our 2023 List of the Top 10 Greatest Medical Alert Systems:
- Medical Guardian: Best medical alert system overall
- The best telehealthcare features are offered by MobileHelp.
- One Call Alert: Best for households using the same system
- Life Alert: Best for access to an on-site dispatch center
- UnaliWear: Best smartwatch for fall detection
- LifeFone: Best for daily check-in call subscriptions
- Lively: Best for a wide range of senior-friendly devices
- Medical Alert: Best for easy-to-use systems
- Lifeline: Best for accurate fall detection
- ADT: Best for fixed monthly pricing
The top 10 best medical alert systems
1: Medical Guardian
Over 300,000 people have used Medical Guardian’s medical alert systems, which provide round-the-clock at-home and on-the-go monitoring, and their multipurpose devices, which can connect to landlines, WiFi, and cellular networks. The company has been in operation for 16 years.
The company’s connectivity options give customers “the best of both worlds, as some other devices [are] limited to a landline or cellular service.” “[This] service also uses Verizon for its cellular network, which can be helpful if one travels somewhere with limited connectivity and has an emergency,” says Chris McDermott, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified life care planner at Intercoastal Consulting & Life Care Planning (ICLCP).
Medical Guardian offers monthly, quarterly, or annual subscription options, and add-on services, such as fall detection, are available at an additional cost. The initial subscription fee covers the cost of the equipment and does not require long-term contracts.
Reasons for choosing Medical Guardian Regardless of the subscription you choose, Medical Guardian’s certified Diamond Monitoring Center is open around-the-clock and notifies your designated contact in both emergency and non-emergency situations. Other features include fall detection, automatic emergency response, and a 1,400-foot signal range.
The MGMini Lite is a device that is perfect for active seniors, and after answering three questions, Medical Guardian’s product quiz recommended that we try it. However, we did not like that they asked for our contact information before sharing this recommendation.
2. MobileHelp
The medical alert systems offered by MobileHelp are suitable for both active older adults who prefer to be out and about and seniors who spend the majority of their time at home. You can choose between an in-home or on-the-go system, or a bundled package that combines the two.
MobileHelp’s devices come with a number of useful add-on services, like MD Live and Mobile Vitals, that help seniors manage their health and keep their independence. For instance, MDLive offers telehealthcare services that allow you to video call a board-certified physician.
Fortunately, the monitoring representative on the base unit was able to interpret when John Buchanan, a registered nurse and former EMT at Saint Francis Hospital, responded to an elderly patient who had fallen and hit her head. The patient lived alone, had a MobileHelp system, and spoke only Spanish. He informed John’s team that the patient had been taking blood thinners, so they took her to the hospital as a precaution. Tests later revealed internal bleeding, and John says, “Without an interpreter, we might not have known her history or what medications she was taking.”
We selected MobileHelp because they do not require you to sign a contract or pay equipment fees (for six of the eight products offered) and give you a 30-day trial period.
Our experience: We appreciate the variety of add-on services that MobileHelp provides, as well as their fast response times, which range from 1 to 15 seconds on average, indicating prompt and attentive service.
3. One-Call Alert
One Call Alert provides a range of portable and at-home devices that are reasonably priced and easy to set up. The service’s Mobile Double plan, which combines two mobile devices for the price of one ($44.95/month), gives customers a good deal.
Their mobile devices are water-resistant and have built-in GPS tracking and two-way communication; they do not charge upfront activation fees, equipment fees, or long-term contracts; some plans include free shipping and a free lockbox; and for a fee, they provide add-on services like medication reminders, fall detection, and protection in case the equipment is lost or damaged.
Why we chose One Call Alert: One Call Alert’s home base units have a backup battery that lasts up to 32 hours in case of power outages. Their emergency response centers are also available 24/7 from multiple locations within the US.
Our experience: Setting up our One Call Alert device was effortless—it worked right out of the box. We liked that the service allowed us to test our device without additional fees.
4. Life Alert
Life Alert is known for its famous TV ad “Help! I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up!” They’ve been offering at-home and remote monitoring since the 1980s.
You are paired with a care counselor by their customer service, who guides you through the installation procedure. Additionally, you receive guidance from the care counselor on how to utilize the system to suit your needs.
An in-home base station with a pendant button, an on-the-go HELP button, and a waterproof shower button are all included in the single package (no add-ons). Although you must pay a $200 activation fee and sign a three-year contract in order to access their systems, this service offers a lifetime warranty, free shipping, and a price lock guarantee.
Why we chose Life Alert: Life Alert delivers reliable service and fast response times via their on-site dispatch center. Their mobile devices provide GPS tracking throughout the US, and their batteries don’t require charging—you need to replace them just once every 10 years.
Our experience: We thought Life Alert’s wearable technology was comfortable and light. We also appreciated that the base station’s audio monitoring speakers allowed security dispatchers to listen for intruders.
5. UnaliWear
The Kanega Watch, a smartwatch-like gadget from UnaliWear, connects to WiFi and cellular networks. It provides GPS tracking, fall detection, round-the-clock monitoring, and medication reminders. Although this watch costs more than other gadgets, it is quick and simple to set up.
The operators at UnaliWear’s Five Diamond certified emergency response center are on duty twenty-four hours a day. They can send the right kind of assistance because they have access to the medical information you give them when you set up the device.
Why UnaliWear was selected: In addition to having four easily replaceable rechargeable batteries, the Kanega Watch is waterproof. This implies that you never need to remove it, not even to take a shower. It has built-in fall detection and can be turned on with a button or voice command. When you call for assistance, emergency personnel can easily locate you thanks to the GPS tracking features.
Our impression: We appreciate the Kanega Watch’s understated style. We also appreciate that there are three accent color options: rose gold, champagne gold, and black.
6. LifeFone
For more than 50 years, LifeFone has operated. The monthly cost of their packages starts at $29.95, and fall detection is available for an extra $5. The equipment is included in the initial subscription fee.
With a 1,300-foot field range, this medical alert system connects to landlines via at-home units. Additionally, they offer caregivers a mobile app that allows them to view a user’s current location, track their daily step goal, and check the battery level of their device, in addition to on-the-go pendants with cellular connectivity options.
The company offers price lock, 30-day money-back, and lifetime manufacturer guarantees. Their referral program rewards you with a free month of service for every new customer you send their way
Why we chose LifeFone: LifeFone doesn’t charge activation or processing fees. It allows customers to subscribe to daily check-in calls and medication reminders, and its on-the-go VIPx pendants have a solid 10-day battery life.
Our impression was that LifeFone’s system was well-designed, user-friendly, and had a limited number of features. We also appreciated that the business allowed us to test the service for 30 days and informed us that there would be no penalties if we decided to cancel at any time.
7. Lively
Seniors who are active and frequently leave their homes can benefit from Lively’s systems. With cellular and WiFi connectivity, their devices—which range from flip phones and smartphones to wearable medical alert equipment—offer on-the-go functionality.
Additionally, you can install Lively’s services on any Alexa or Apple Watch device. Nonetheless, their devices are incredibly senior-friendly due to their large screens, strong speakers, and voice typing. Monthly rates are determined by the service you choose, and you will not be required to sign long-term agreements.
We selected Lively because it provides a range of customizable packages to meet a variety of needs. For instance, the Premium Package enables you to reach board-certified physicians and registered nurses who are on call without scheduling an appointment. The system is a desirable choice for those who require prompt access to expert medical advice because of this telehealthcare feature.
Our experience: Lively’s ability to let users use multiple devices pleased us. We also value the fact that there are no cancellation fees or long-term commitments.
8. Medical Alert
Medical Alert is an in-home system that can be worn on your wrist or neck and includes a waterproof help button and base unit. You can move around your house more freely with the help button and GPS on the on-the-go option.
A free mobile app that allows you to locate yourself, check the battery level of your device, and connect directly to customer support is part of Medical Alert’s plans. This business has the fastest response times in the industry, year-round monitoring, and access to response coordinators with the necessary training. Additionally, there are no up-front setup, activation, or device fees.
Our rationale for selecting Medical Alert: An option that combines the in-home and on-the-go systems is available to you. All the necessary tasks are completed by a single device, making their systems easy to set up and operate.
Our experience: We discovered that using this system was quite convenient due to Medical Alert’s equipment integration. We also appreciated how waterproof and lightweight the help buttons are. The mobile devices did require daily charging, though, as we discovered.
9. Lifeline
With response centers spread across the US and Canada, Lifeline (formerly Phillips Lifeline) has a staff of highly qualified emergency operators on call twenty-four hours a day. Additionally, this provider provides clients with access to the Lifeline Cares app, which alerts families to any updates or critical information regarding the user’s care. Even if it is not an emergency, family members and caregivers can check in at any time using the mobile tools included in the app. Although the monthly price starts at $29.95, there are upfront activation and installation costs.
Reasons for selecting Lifeline: The AutoAlert technology from Lifeline employs what they refer to as “a finely tuned algorithm” to improve the precision of their fall detection program. The website for the system claims that up to 95% of fall types can be detected by this senior safety technology.
Experience: We appreciated that Lifeline allows users to access a variety of optional add-on accessories, such as a lockbox, medication dispenser, and voice extender. The option to have our device installed by a technician was also appreciated.
10. ADT
Through its own monitoring centers, ADT Medical Alert safeguards approximately six million users and has access to multiple control centers located in the United States. Each of their three service tiers comes with a permanent Forevrate* and flexible payment options. Additional services, such as 24/7 assistance and home temperature monitoring, are also accessible through ADT.
Their monitoring experts are prepared to help elderly people in a variety of situations. These representatives evaluate your circumstances, get in touch with and send emergency personnel to your house, and assist in providing your family with updates as required.
The reason we selected ADT Medical Alert is that it provides a waterproof wall-mount button that can be used with either the Medical Alert Plus or On-the-Go. The cost of each button for extra shower protection is $2.99 per month.
Our experience: We appreciated that ADT Medical Alert provided free shipping for the medical alarm system. Additionally, we liked that their website makes it clear who each service tier is for. For instance, it says that the Medical Alert Basic system assists customers in getting in touch with support when they need it.
