Our Best Overall Medical Alert System
What is a medical alert system?
A medical alert system is a device connected to a service providing users, especially older adults living alone or those with chronic diseases, to quickly access emergency care in case of a fall, injury, or other urgent situations. Medical alert systems have two main types: at home units, or portable, mobile devices.
Medical alert systems ensure users have the ability to maintain their independence and security by offering emergency assistance at the touch of a button. They allow older adults who live alone or those who live with chronic diseases the confidence and peace of mind to keep engaging in the activities they enjoy.
When you press the help button on your medical alert system device, it connects you with a 24/7 monitoring center. Upon connecting with the monitoring center, the agent will speak with you to determine the type of help you need. If you are unable to respond, the medical alert system staff will deploy emergency services.
Choosing a medical alert system
The best medical alert system for you will depend on your situation and lifestyle. Thinking about your budget and the factors most important to you in a device can help you narrow down the options.
- Evaluate your needs: Consider your day-to-day activities. Do you drive independently and keep an active lifestyle outside your home? If so, a mobile system is probably best for you. If you’re accompanied by a caregiver whenever you run errands or visit family and friends outside your home, you may need an at-home system. We also recommend adding fall detection whenever available.
- Evaluate the providers: Start by reviewing a company’s website. Is pricing information transparent? Can you learn about available features online? Many medical alert brands have an online chat feature, which is a great way to answer quick questions. If you’re more comfortable finding out information over the phone, call customer service to learn more about device features, the trial period, and the brand’s cancellation policy. You can also learn from real customers’ experiences on verified third-party review websites such as Better Business Bureau and Trustpilot.
- Evaluate the products: Take advantage of a company offering a trial period. This way you can make sure you’re comfortable with the medical alert system before committing to it. Confirm the trial period window with a customer service representative before ordering the device. Ask them to clarify if your trial period starts as soon as you order the device or as soon as you receive it.
Considerations when shopping for a medical alert system
Device Type
We recommend an at-home system if you spend most of your time at home and are accompanied by a caregiver when outside your home.
A mobile system may be better if you’re more independent and enjoy on-the-go activities outside your home without a caregiver.
Connection
If your area has poor cellular service, a medical alert system with a landline connection may be the right choice. Remember that you must have an active landline connection for the system to connect to the monitoring center.
Range
Most at-home systems with a cellular connection have a longer connection range than a landline system. If you have a large home or yard and prefer an at-home system, an at-home system with a cellular connection may be the best option.
Battery life
Lengthy battery life is important if you’re often away from home. Do you find yourself regularly away from home for hours at a time? An on-the-go device with a longer multi-day battery life may be important.
Fall detection
Are you or the person you’re buying a medical alert system for at risk of falling, or have you fallen in the past? If so, you may want a wearable device with fall detection.
Water-resistance
Water-resistant help buttons and mobile devices can be safely taken into the shower but cannot be submerged in water, such as while swimming or taking a bath. Waterproof devices can be fully submerged in water.
Cost of medical alert systems
Medical alert system plans often cost between $20-30 monthly, Some devices also charge activation fees, and one-time equipment fees, which can range from $50-350.
Insurance coverage for your medical alert system depends on your individual insurance plan. Many private insurance plans do not cover medical alert systems, but some long-term care insurance plans and Medicaid might, depending on your state. Call your provider to learn more about insurance coverage for medical alert devices.
While most medical alert systems have a monthly fee to cover the cost of 24/7 monitoring and emergency response services, there are alternatives. Some companies may offer quarterly or annual payment plans, which could result in overall savings. A few models on the market don’t require a monthly fee, but these typically do not include professional monitoring services. Instead, they function as personal alarms that notify pre-selected contacts or 911 in the event of an emergency.
Popular medical alert system features
Learn more about common medical alert system features.
- Range: This is the longest distance an at-home base unit can connect with your help button. Device ranges are typically between 200–1,400 feet. Range is not a factor you need to consider with on-the-go systems.
- GPS Tracking: Location detection on medical alert devices is a feature that only applies to on-the-go systems. GPSⓘ GPS technology uses satellites to provide users with positioning, navigation, and timing services. -enabled medical alerts allow monitoring center staff to quickly determine a user’s location during a personal emergency. GPS tracking also allows caregivers to view the user’s real-time location when wearing the device. This is an extremely helpful feature for those caring for someone prone to wandering.
- Fall detection: Using sensors such as accelerometers, which detect motion, fall detection devices are designed to identify a fall and then send an alert to the provider’s monitoring center. Nearly every provider includes a disclaimer on its website stating that no device is 100% accurate. Be aware that false positives (when the device mistakenly detects a fall that hasn’t happened) can occur from things like dropping your device or the device falling off a table.
Research from 2021 and 2023 shows that fall detection devices are more accurate when worn around the neck than on the wrist. Remember this when considering wrist-based fall detection devices like the Medical Guardian MGMove Smartwatch or the LifeFone At-Home and On-the-Go Safe Watch Active. In the event of a false fall detection alarm, the company will verify whether you need assistance. [5]Javier González-Cañete, Francisco and Casilari, Eduardo. A Feasibility Study of the Use of Smartwatches in Wearable Fall Detection Systems. Sensors. March 23, 2021. Found on the internet at https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/21/6/2254 [6]Lee, Yongkuk, et al. Experimental Study: Deep Learning-Based Fall Monitoring among Older Adults with Skin-Wearable Electronics. Sensors. March 2023. Found on the internet at https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/23/8/3983
If fall detection is a feature you’re interested in, see our best medical alert systems with fall detection review.
- Help buttons: Depending on the system you choose, you’ll receive a help button that can be worn as a necklace or emergency life alert bracelet. The help button is lightweight, comfortable to wear, and connects to the monitoring center for 24/7 coverage.
- Battery life: Since at-home systems are plugged into an outlet, they have backup batteries that typically last 30–32 hours if there’s a power outage. On-the-go systems come with chargers and typically last one to five days on a single charge.
- Activity tracking: Tracking your daily activities is a great way to track your steps and ensure you’re getting enough movement throughout the day. Many on-the-go devices now include step trackers that allow you to view your daily steps in your online portal or app. Caregivers can also use activity tracking to monitor a user’s well-being. Drops in normal activity levels could indicate falls, a long lieⓘ A long lie occurs when a person falls and is unable to get up from the floor for an hour or more. Long lies have been associated with several types of long-term health complications. , a medical condition, or other issues that can be noticed and acted on through caregiver activity tracking.
- Caregiver app: Many medical alert systems include a free caregiver app. Features vary by brand, but many apps allow caregivers to track the device’s location, set medication reminders, check battery status, and view a log of monitoring center calls.
In our Reviews Team survey of 1,000 medical alert system users, automatic fall detection was the top feature our survey respondents wanted with their medical alert system, with 60% of respondents indicating that this feature was important to them. Automatic fall detection was followed by a mobile app for caregivers and GPS location tracking, with 55% and 53% of respondents indicating this feature was important, respectively. [1]