Contacting 911 is the initial reaction following a fall or injury, but it’s always feasible to get on the phone after an accident. For those who are over 65 accidents are the most common cause of injury and death. It’s why it’s essential to be aware and think about purchasing yourself or your loved ones a medical alarm. With the majority of people having smartphones, it’s a good idea to take your time and purchase a medical alarm device.
Medical alerts are devices that permit you to reach out for assistance by pressing a button that’s always present on your body, for example, the wristband or pendant. They’re helpful for those who are at risk of accidents or other health emergency situations. They not only give caregivers and family members with needed tranquility, but they could save lives.
The medical alert system has advanced from that famous advertisement for Lifecall in the 80s (“I’ve fallen and I’m unable to get up. !”). Although the majority of medical alert systems used to rely on landlines for operation, many of them now rely on cell phones, which offer greater flexibility and access. Modern medical alerts can also provide additional functions for those who require to use them, like reminders to take medication and fall detection, as well as tracking of fitness and location.
With the variety of options available there, it’s harder than ever before to choose the right medical alert for your or your loved ones’ individual requirements, based on the medical condition as well as budgetary considerations. Based on reviews from customers and expert advice We’ve created this list of the top medical alerts to meet a variety of requirements.
Bay Alarm Medical
Medical alerts that are home-based are great for people who do not leave home often. They’re not able to be used while on the move (like at the store) because they need to be connected to an at-home base unit. They can be utilized in the backyard or just a few homes down provided you can find an item with a decent range like this one issued by Bay Alarm Medical.
Bay Alarm Medical’s home medical alert is able to be used using a landline or cell service. You can choose between wristband or pendant aid buttons, both water-resistant with an estimated coverage of between 800 and 1,000 feet distance from the base station. There are also four help buttons you can hang in the walls.
It is a monitored system and the help button is accessible 24/7. access to emergency personnel that can contact local authorities, and/or contact loved ones in case of need. All monitored systems have an annual fee. Bay Alarm’s cost is affordable compared to other businesses that charge additional start-up charges. The users have reported fast responses and top-quality service from Bay Alarm’s staff. It is also possible to add fall detection, an option that will detect falls automatically and issue an emergency alert on the wearer’s behalf.
Although this alert does not have additional options, such as reminders for medicine and fitness trackers, its cost as well as its reliability and ease of use makes it our top choice for an at-home health alert.
MobileHelp
If you’re looking for additional features in your home health alert device, MobileHelp Classic is an excellent option. It offers a variety of tools that are useful for caregivers and users alike with its mobile application, MobileHelp Connect, including the possibility of viewing recent locations or making an address request. You can also add on medication reminder services for the additional cost of $5 per month. You can also add tracking of activities for an additional 5 dollars per month. Also, fall prevention is offered at a cost of $10 per month.
MobileHelp’s service doesn’t offer the option of a landline It only operates via a mobile network (in this instance AT&T’s). The help button that is waterproof comes in wristband or lanyard form it has a distance of 1,400 feet beyond the device’s base. The base unit comes with an additional battery that can provide up 30 hours of power that can be used in the event of an outage. MobileHelp offers 24/7 monitoring via the United States and rapid responses and a pleasant professional and prompt response team as per customer reviews.
If you choose to sign up for all of the extras include, you’ll pay the monthly cost of $55, however, MobileHelp offers a variety of options to bring that cost, including promotions, discounts, and frequent offers. the option of choosing between semiannual, monthly, quarterly, or even annual payment plans.
Lively
In contrast to in-home medical alerts, mobile devices don’t need the use of a base unit. This means you can make use of them wherever you are in the grocery store or on the go, or in any other location with mobile connectivity. They’re great for disabled or active people who have to leave their homes frequently.
The on-the-go medical alert system from Lively is the best blend of features and value we’ve seen which is why it’s our top choice for a mobile-based system. Instead of a wristband or pendant, it’s one small button that is able to be attached to almost anything, such as your purse, belt, or Lanyard.
One issue with mobile alerts is the battery life. Just like other electronic devices, they need to be recharged frequently for them to function. However, they aren’t. The Lively Mobile Plus has a large battery life of 80 hours. life, meaning that you don’t need to fret about charging it every night. Another benefit is that GPS tracking is available in this Mobile Plus for no extra cost.
One of the features that make one feature that sets the Mobile Plus apart is the option of access 24/7 to not just the emergency contact center, but additionally to urgent medical care, which allows the user to contact nurses or doctors at any time. With this feature, it’s the price of $30 per month or 40 bucks per month if your goal is fall detection too. (AARP members receive discounts for Lively Products.)
Philips
If tracking location is an important factor for you and you’re looking for a medical alert system, this one is different from the rest and that’s The Philips Lifeline GoSafe 2. It utilizes five different locating methods for tracking, including GPS Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi, and even audio beaconing. It will give you a more precise reading. It also offers a number of backup options in the event that one of the technologies doesn’t work.
GoSafe 2 GoSafe 2 is a little costly — it’s $50 per month and activation of the device is an additional charge but there’s a special discount for members of AARP. This price grants access to an emergency operations center located in Canada and the option of free-fall detection. If you’re in this situation there’s only the option of wearing the help button pendant (no wristband is offered) that comes with a rechargeable battery that can last up to three or four days, but some customers complain that it’s too heavy to wear.
It’s true that the GoSafe 2 doesn’t come with access to medical professionals or other perks such as tracking your activity. However, Philips is a reputable brand with a long-standing history in the field of medical alerts and, thanks to its speedy response time and advanced tracking of location, it’s an excellent medical alert for the appropriate user.
Bay Alarm Medical
Some tech-savvy users may think that they could utilize any smartwatch to serve as a medical alarm. In reality, you’re wearing it, and you’re able to use it for emergency phone calls. But a health alert watch is a different proposition -it lets you simply push an SOS button to gain quick access to an emergency dispatch center or to make a call to your care providers.
Certain health alarm smartwatches will require smartphones however this Bay Alarm SOS Smartwatch is capable of functioning by itself. It supports two-way calls which means that if you hit”help” you’ll be able to communicate directly with the dispatcher using this smartwatch (and you are also able to talk to the people you care about). It also has the ability to track your location and has an inbuilt step tracker. The battery’s life spans from six to 18 hours dependent on the use The device is waterproof with an IP rating of IP67. The device is not equipped with fall detection, since Bay Alarm says that technology is “simply not accurate enough” for wristwatches.
Apart from the regular monthly fees, in addition, it is also possible to purchase the SOS Smartwatch costs $179 to purchase the device for a full time.
WellBe
If you’re looking for a top-of-the-line medical alert that includes all the features you could imagine, you should consider using the WellBe Medical Alarm Plus. You could think of it as an intelligent home medical alert similar to Alexa and a medical alert in one. It is comprised of a smartwatch as well as a smart speaker. Both connect to the 4G network and allow you to connect to an emergency response center that is available 24/7 at any time.
The smartwatch is equipped with blood pressure monitoring as well as the step tracking information, while the speaker lets you listen to music, read the news, or control the other devices in your smart home. The two devices also give reminders for medications, refills on prescription appointment times, and more. This is all done through the voice-activated virtual health assistant known as well. (You can also purchase the smartwatch and the smart speaker on their own if you don’t want both.)
There are plenty of features that are available on WellBe and which means it’s extremely versatile and could substitute multiple devices at your home. However, it’s probably not the most user-friendly system when it’s intended for those who are less skilled in technology. If you’re confident with the latest technology However this medical alert is a fantastic bargain for the money.
Aloe Care Health
Aloe Care Health claims to boast of having “the world’s most advanced medical alert system.” It’s quite an ambitious claim, but the system is certainly a modern version of the traditional medical alert, but being accessible and simple to use. The Smart Hub lets you access 24/7 call centers via the use of voice, and also continuously monitors air quality as well as the temperature of the room.
As with other home-based devices, Aloe Care has a base unit as well as a wearable help button and it has 4G cell coverage (no phone lines). However, unlike the other models, Aloe Care does not have to upgrade to a different device for mobile coverage either. You can choose one of the Essentials Plus or Total Care packages, which include the ability to travel anywhere and can be used with your home device. (That mobile device is also equipped with a free fall detection feature.)
Aloe Care’s caregiver application is among the top available, as per reviewers. It lets your loved ones communicate directly with you, and also collaborate on your needs. In addition, you can enjoy another minor yet important benefits such as a free lockbox to store your valuables in and the capability to amplify sound to those who are hearing impaired, and you have an all-in-one medical alert to those with the money to purchase it.
LogicMark
The general rule is that medical alerts that come with no fees per month aren’t necessarily the best option. They’re not monitored, meaning they’re not able to connect to 24-hour emergency response centers and there are not a lot of options or features to choose from. But, there are some who prefer them, particularly those who have in-home caregivers or help at a nearby location or who cannot afford a monthly payment. Medical alerts that are not monitored make an alarm sound loud or directly connect to 911 or caregivers.
We are awestruck by this model of LogicMark FreedomAlert because it offers the most flexible options you are able to program it so that you can contact up to four contacts as well as 911. It comes with a water-resistant help button pendant with an area of 600 feet of the unit’s base. It has two-way call capabilities, meaning you can speak directly to it. Caregivers are able to forward calls to 911 if they want. LogicMark also has an affordable version, called Guardian Alert 911 that can only dial 911. Similar to most medical alerts that aren’t monitored the two models require an internet connection.
Lexy Savvides/CNET
It’s true that the Apple Watch is technically a normal smartwatch, not an alert device for medical reasons. However, with the addition of new features such as the fall detector, Apple Watch is beginning to blur the distinction between these two. The watch will automatically notify you when it senses a fall. The watch after which it contacts emergency services, notifies the appropriate contacts if it fails to detect any movement within the 60-second timeframe. You can also dial 911 using the Apple Watch by using Siri or pressing your side buttons until an Emergency SOS slider appears. The battery life of the Apple Watch is comparable with Bay Alarm’s SOS Smartwatch, at around 18 hours.
But Apple Watch Apple Watch doesn’t come with live monitoring for emergencies and doesn’t have the caregiving features which are standard medical alerts. If you wish to make use of this watch as a way to communicate or make calls when your iPhone is not in reach, you’ll need to pay an extra fee for monthly cellular services (using the same company with your cell phone). Expect to pay around $10 more per month, based on the provider you choose.
If you don’t require 24/7 emergency support, and you have other reasons to consider the Apple Watch, like its excellent health tracking and activity tracking features, this could be an alternative.
The information in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical or health advice. Always consult with a doctor or another qualified health professional with any questions you have regarding a medical issue or health-related goals.
