A medical alert system is a device designed to signal for emergency assistance during a fall or urgent situation, often through a wearable button or mobile unit. These systems can be made for use at home or on-the-go, providing monitored or self-monitored support to be sure immediate help is always within reach.
A medical alert system is a device designed to signal for emergency assistance during a fall or urgent situation, often through a wearable button or mobile unit. These systems can be made for use at home or on-the-go, providing monitored or self-monitored support to be sure immediate help is always within reach.
A medical alert system is a device designed to signal for emergency assistance during a fall or urgent situation, often through a wearable button or mobile unit. These systems can be made for use at home or on-the-go, providing monitored or self-monitored support to be sure immediate help is always within reach.
A medical alert system is a device designed to signal for emergency assistance during a fall or urgent situation, often through a wearable button or mobile unit. These systems can be made for use at home or on-the-go, providing monitored or self-monitored support to be sure immediate help is always within reach.
Given the alarming statistics shared by the CDC, which highlight that one out of four older adults in the United States will experience a fall each year, it’s clear why medical alert systems have become a necessary tool for making sure the safety and well-being of the aging population. With around 36 million falls reported annually among older adults—leading to more than 32,000 fatalities—these devices serve as a critical line of defense, providing immediate access to emergency assistance when it matters most.¹
This guide is here to walk you through medical alert systems. It’s all about helping you pick the perfect match for you or your loved one, from deciding between mobile and in-home units, understanding costs, to spotting necessary features. We’ll cover important questions to ask before you commit, making sure you feel confident and secure in your choice.
In the United States 65+ fall at least once in a given year
How often an elderly person goes to the ER for a fall
Use a medical alert system to protect them from falls
Medical alert systems are a personal emergency response system (PERS) that use an electronic device to connect the user to an emergency contact or 911 emergency dispatchers. In other words, a medical alert system allows you to summon help at the press of a button during an emergency.
Today’s medical alert devices employ a combination of hardware and software to send a signal to emergency services that call for help, usually in the form of a help button worn like a necklace or around the wrist like a watch.
Medical alerts are also sometimes called life alerts, medical alarms, personal emergency response systems (PERS), medical emergency response systems (MERS), senior fall monitors, fall monitoring systems, help buttons, help pendants, fall alert, senior alert, emergency button, emergency communicator and many more.
Whatever you call them, a monitored medical alert system helps seniors stay independent longer while giving friends, family members, and caregivers, peace of mind.
There are an estimated 3.4 million medical alert device users around the world.²
Out of those, there are approximately 2.4 million users in the United States alone.
Each year, tens of millions of help button presses take place for those in need.
The primary purpose of medical alert devices is to call for help because of a fall. Senior citizens represent the largest group of people at risk of falling. As such, it should come as no surprise that seniors and elderly people make up a vast majority of those who use these systems.
While you are more likely to find a PERS device around the neck of an elderly person, there are many younger adults with medical conditions that utilize a system.
Medical alert systems work in different ways from one provider to the next, but the basic premise is this:
Each medical alert provider’s monitoring center may follow a different procedure when it comes to what happens when a help button is pressed. When ordering a medical alert system, make sure you ask what procedures the medical alert companies use to ensure 911 is only contacted for a real medical emergency.
For seniors, emergencies can be fatal.
That’s why wearing a medical alert system from Lifestation is important.
A medical alert for seniors could save your life, alert your loved ones if you fall and, provide peace of mind knowing that help is just the push of a button away.
There are dozens of medical alert companies from which to choose. Each offers their own equipment, price, service, and quality. With so many options and features, it can be hard to pick which one system is best for you.
Learning how to choose a medical alert system can give you and your loved ones peace of mind, knowing that in the event of an emergency, help is just a button press away. Narrowing down your choices can be tough. To help make your life easier we’ve put together this comple, A to Z guide.
We’ll cover everything you need to know to give you the power to find the best medical alert, including: who should get a medical alert, pricing, mobile units vs. in-home units, features, monitoring centers, and questions you should ask before buying a medical alert device.
Use the table of contents on the left to scroll through the different sections.
If you have any questions, call (800) 554-4600 and talk to a medical alert system expert who can guide you to picking the best system for you.
Many people think they’re just ordering the medical alert device, but what they’re also buying is a professional emergency monitoring service.
The emergency monitoring center is an essential part of your medical alert service.
Without a monitoring center behind it, a medical alert device is limited in its ability to quickly access critical help for loved ones.
For companies that employ a central monitoring center for their users, some have their own in-house monitoring facility, while others use a third party service.
At every monitoring center, you’ll find a bank of operators, each armed with a computer and a connected phone. When a button press occurs, the user’s information is sent to the emergency operator so that the medical alert company can assess the situation quickly and know exactly where the user is located. With that information in hand, the emergency medical alert operator can deploy help as needed.
Using a professional, certified monitoring center is crucial because unlike a direct call to 911, operators are trained to make sure the proper channels are alerted before emergency services are dispatched. Not all emergency situations need an ambulance or the police dispatched.
That’s where contact lists and custom protocols come in handy.
When you sign up for a medical alert service, you’re asked to provide a list of contacts who should be alerted in case of an emergency such as a fall. These contacts can be friends, family members, neighbors, or other caregiver services. (Make sure the emergency contact is aware you’re putting them down as an emergency contact.)
The individuals on the contact list can be notified before, or even after emergency responders are contacted. It all depends on how you want to order the call list.
There are also some non-monitored medical alerts on the market. However, most senior care experts would not recommend relying on them. Non-monitored devices which contact 911 directly increase the likelihood of calling an ambulance for a false alarm. Worst of all, by not having a monitored device, the user is at risk of someone not answering the call when it’s needed most.
Medical alert equipment is fairly standard across different companies. Just about every system consists of two parts: A help button to activate the device, and a microphone with a speaker for two-way communication between the user and an emergency operator.
Before the advancement of GPS and cell phone towers, the only medical alert option was an in-home system connected to a landline. Now with newer technologies, elderly people have the option to use a mobile medical alert device that allows them to go anywhere and take their fall protection on the go.
When deciding which emergency alert system to purchase, the first thing to ask yourself is, do you need an in-home or mobile system?
As the name implies, an in-home medical alert system works in and around your house or apartment.
The system consists of two parts: the help button and the main console.
The help button is a wearable emergency pendant that you press if you slip and need help. The pendant is wirelessly connected to the main console. Because it’s only active when you press the button, the battery life in the electronic pendant lasts over 3 years.
The main emergency alert console houses the heart of the system. Contained in the main unit is the microphone and speaker which allow seniors to communicate with trained operators on the other end. The speaker and microphones are quite powerful, so they can work all the way from another room. It is even loud enough that elderly who are hard of hearing can use the at home medical alert.
The medical alert console is plugged right into a power outlet. It contains a backup battery, so even if the power goes out, you can still use the call for help button.
The console also plugs into the landline phone jack which allows the alert device to call the monitoring center when the button is pressed. This is why you’ll sometimes hear the in home units referred to as landline medical alert systems.
Most indoor medical alert buttons have a signal radius of around 400-1000 feet. That’s enough to cover most houses and apartments. It even allows seniors enough range to get their mail or spend time in their yard and still be protected. Even if you can’t hear the console because you are very far away, pressing the button will still summon help from monitoring center operators.
What if you’re a homebound senior who doesn’t have a landline phone? Can you still get fall protection in your home?
Of course you can!
For coverage in and around your home, there are medical devices which connect wirelessly to a monitoring center. Instead of using the landline phone jack, the wireless device uses a cellular signal like a mobile alert system.
Similar to the in-home systems that use a landline, these emergency alert systems have a base console and a wearable help button. The base console contains the speaker and microphone so you can communicate with the monitoring center when you press the help button.
For many years, elderly people were constrained to their homes because their medical emergency response systems had a limited range.
Active seniors may not want to stay home and live life to the fullest. Older people still want to be able to attend church, visit their friends, and go to the supermarket. They want to leave the house.
Mobile medical alert systems are a great option for seniors who want to live a safe, independent life in their golden years.
These mobile emergency alert devices use cellular signals to connect you with the emergency operators in the call center. Essentially, the apparatus works like a cellphone. This allows you to take your mobile alert device anywhere outside, and your portable emergency response button will still provide you with the safety and protection you need.
It also includes GPS tracking which allows emergency responders to utilize the fall detection to locate you quickly wherever you go.
Unlike an at-home medical alert, the speaker and microphone for the mobile medical alert are both contained in the mobile help button. This allows for clear 2-way communication.
Because mobile systems are persistently connected to a cellular signal, a mobile medical alert system requires charging. The top mobile medical alert devices only need to be charged as little as once every 4-5 days, though it’s always recommended to charge them daily to ensure the battery has full power.
Whether you’re at home or on the go, you can get emergency help with the push of a button.
When deciding between ordering a mobile or in home medical alert system, there are several questions to ask that will help you decide:
| In Home vs. Mobile Medical Alert Systems | |||
| In Home System | Mobile System | ||
| Price | Less expensive | More expensive | |
| Range | Limited range (400-1000 ft) | Can be taken anywhere | |
| Weight | Extra lightweight pendent (About as much as 2 quarters) | Lightweight pendent (About as much as an egg) | |
| Communication | Powerful Microphone and speaker are in the main console | Microphone and speaker are in the button for 2-way communication anywhere | |
| Power Supply | Console plugs in to an outlet | Uses a battery that needs to be recharged | |
| Battery Life | Help button lasts 3-5 years and doesn’t need to be recharged | Battery lasts 4-5 days | |
| Constraints | Must be within certain to base unit | Needs cellular reception | |
| Location Tracking | No | Yes | |
| Power Outages | Landlines work during a power outage | Cellular systems cannot be recharged during power outages | |
Ultimately, the choice of an at-home vs. mobile system comes down to the lifestyle of the user.
| Senior Lifestyle | Best System |
| Active senior who leaves the house by themselves on a regular basis | Mobile |
| Homebound senior who lives alone | In home |
| Elderly parent who lives with their child and rarely leaves without accompaniment | In home |
| Dementia or Alzheimer’s patient at risk of becoming lost | Mobile |
| Senior who lives in an area with poor cellular reception | In home |
| Senior who rarely leaves their home and doesn’t have a landline | In home wireless |
| Senior lives in a rural area at risk for extended landline outages | Mobile |
For a medical alert button to be useful and effective, it needs to be on the elderly person when they fall. It doesn’t do much good if the button isn’t in reach. So, senior medical alarms are designed to be lightweight, comfortable, and wearable so they actually get used.
You have two ways to wear your button: as a necklace, or as a bracelet. Though some devices are easier to switch than others, most devices can be worn either way.
Medical alert necklaces are typically made of nylon. The hypoallergenic nylon strands are smooth to prevent irritation, and designed to breakaway in case they get caught on something.
Medical alert bracelets are usually made of silicone. The wristbands are adjustable so they fit a variety of wrist sizes. Some even have wrist straps designed to be replaced with regular watch bands.
How you wear your button partially comes down to a matter of preference. Some people prefer to wear it around their neck, while others like it on the wrist.
Overall, we’d recommend wearing the device as a medical alert necklace because it’s slightly easier to access the button if you fall and somewhat less likely to accidentally get pressed.
Additionally, a key advantage of wearing the device around your neck is if you want to have automatic fall detection. The medical alert devices with fall detection are calibrated for people wearing the button as a necklace. It’s much harder for fall detection on a bracelet to work accurately because of how much we move our arms.
Another thing to note is that when you wear the pendant around your neck, it’s recommended to wear the button outside of your shirt or blouse as it makes it easier to press if you have a fall.
All medical alerts come with a help button, but there are often optional features and add-ons you can add to your system for increased safety and convenience. Here are some of the popular ones:
There are going to be times for elderly people that the medical alert button isn’t being worn. Seniors who take the alert device off to sleep don’t always remember to put it back on, especially if they get out of bed at night to visit the bathroom or get a drink of water. That’s when wall buttons become crucial.
Emergency wall buttons are devices mounted on the wall that are connected to the medical alert system. Pressing the button on the wall triggers an emergency response to the monitoring center as if you pressed the button on your pendant.
We recommend putting a wall button in the hallway and in the bathroom. We also suggest that you place the emergency wall button low on the wall. While this might seem counter-intuitive, if you fall on the ground and can’t get up, you need the button easily within reach.
Integrating medical alerts with smart devices is becoming an important development of the medical alert industry. These smart technologies make it easier for caregivers to stay connected to their loved ones.
Some companies are combining smartwatches with medical alert systems for stylish, wearable devices that can provide the same level of protection as a pendant button.
Smart home devices such as the Amazon Echo aren’t replacing medical alert systems, but rather they are helping users and caregivers stay on top of their loved ones on-demand.
Medical alert equipment is made simple so anyone can set up and install their system.
Getting started with a mobile medical alert is extra easy! All you need to do is plug the charging base into the wall and call the company’s customer service to activate the device. It’s pretty easy.
Installing a landline isn’t much different. To set one up you just need to plug the emergency console into the electric outlet, plug in landline phone jack, then call the service number and your system will be activated.
If you need it, customer service reps should be able to walk you through the set-up step by step.
In an emergency situation, you want to know that pressing your button is going to work. That’s why testing your system on a regular basis is crucial to do.
We recommend testing your unit once per month.
To test your device, simply press the help button and tell the operator that you’re just testing it.
The cost of a medical alert system is often a deciding factor when making a final choice.
The lower priced medical alert system on the market which connect directly to a monitoring center cost around $20 per month.
From there, costs can increase depending on the add-ons, optional features, and functionality you choose. Many businesses offer premium features like fall detection and device protection plans for an extra fee.
Be aware that some monitoring companies charge for shipping or an initial set up fee.
The price for a mobile system typically costs $35-$70 per month. As discussed earlier in the guide, these devices work anywhere that cellular service exists.
The monthly price of a medical alert system pays for ongoing the cost of the 24/7 monitoring center, operation and management of the device, and features that you choose.
While AARP highly recommends medical alert systems to help seniors live longer, more active lives, they don’t endorse any specific system.
It’s hard to put a price on saving a life, but that’s exactly what medical alert companies aim to do.
Ultimately, you’re paying for the peace of mind knowing that if you have a fall, help is there with just the push of a button. Whether a medical alert is worth it comes down to your specific situation and caregiving needs.
If you’re considering a medical alert system, which one should you choose? Which is the best? How do I compare the options?
The wide variety of features, service options and fees can make it tough to pick the best system for you or your loved one.
These are the main attributes to look at to help you decide:
The first question you should ask when buying a medical alert is, “do I need an in-home unit or a mobile device?”.
For someone who typically doesn’t leave the home often or alone, an in home device will be the best fit for them. While a more active user will value the added protection outside the home that our Mobile LTE device can provide.
You can learn more about choosing an in-home vs. mobile medical alert system above.
When it comes to picking a medical alert device, price and affordability are often on of the main determining factors.
Although these devices are priced to be as affordable as possible, on a fixed income it can be hard to afford some of the more expensive options. If that’s the case, it can help to focus on an in-home medical alert device as there are typically more affordable. Most in-home devices will still cover beyond the front and back yards of most homes.
You can learn more about the cost of a medical alert above.
There are different levels of quality and operational standards for monitoring centers. Here’s are a few indicators to look for.
Great customer service is one of the most important aspects of the best medical alert companies. It separates the good ones from the great ones.
These are some of the things that can help you determine the quality of a company’s customer service.
You can read reviews online and call to ask questions from their sales reps to get the full picture of a company’s customer service.
Some falsely believe that medical alert systems are only for the elderly or those who have serious medical conditions.
In truth, many healthy active seniors wear a medical alert necklace or bracelet in order to be proactive about their health and give their families some peace of mind. It’s always better to have a fall button and not need it, than to need it and not have it.
A life-changing event of medical or personal nature often prompts the decision to get a medical emergency response system.
Some of these events include:
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), more than 30 million older adults fall each year. A senior citizen in the U.S. falls once every second — that’s 60 falls per minute, 3,600 falls per hour, or 86,400 falls every day!
Senior Fall RiskSeniors aged 65 and older are more vulnerable to fall than any other age range. And this danger increases dramatically as people grow further in their golden years.
Around 20 percent of falls result in serious injury such as breaking a bone or a concussion or similar head injury. In fact, falls are the leading cause of injury and death among the senior population. Approximately 30,000 die each year as a result of injuries sustained in a fall!
Even if an older person falls and doesn’t injure themselves, they may not be able to get up. Being trapped on the ground without help is a terrifying ordeal. If they can’t call for assistance it can become fatal. This is why buying a medical alert system is so essential.
While some may be quick to attribute falling to just a normal part of aging, falling can be symptomatic of other health related issues.
Even with a` walking device, rugs, thresholds, or any ordinary loose object on the floor can create a hazardous condition for a senior citizen. If these items impede the use of a walking device, a senior could trip and suffer an injury.
Seizure Disorders
Lyme Disease
Flexible Spending Accounts
Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
Fibromyalgia
Pickleball Athletes
Tennis Athletes
Brain Injury
PTSD
Bipolar Disorder
Kidney Disease
ALS Patients
Medical alert systems were first introduced to the public in the 1970’s—you may even remember the commercials that aired on television to promote them.
In the early 1970’s a German inventor named Wilhelm Hormann was trying to develop an ambulatory care system for the elderly, disabled, and those who lived alone.
Simultaneously, the American International Telephone Company (AITC) was working on an emergency home phone system, which they unveiled to the public in 1975. The emergency response system created by AITC allowed users to push a button on a medallion they wore around their neck, which sent pre-programmed messages to several different phone numbers. It was basically an early version of the modern-day text message.
Medical alert companies like LifeStation, Medical Guardian and LifeLine saw the potential of these inventions and worked to perfect the systems. Instead of calling a home phone number, the device button presses were routed to an alarm monitoring center where either a caregiver could be summoned, or the emergency operator could dispatch local emergency medical services to help the elderly person who fell and couldn’t get back up.
In 1989 medical alert systems fell into the mainstream media conscious. The senior alarm company LifeCall started running commercials that contained an elderly woman named Mrs. Fletcher who after falling says into her alert pendent “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!”
After LifeCall went out of business in 1993, another company, Life Alert capitalized by trademarking the phrases “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” and “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” In 1992, former Surgeon General Dr. C. Everett Koop appeared in commercials for Life Alert.
Advancements in technology over the past quarter century have allowed for new features to be added to medical alert systems, such as not having to rely on a landline telephone connection, automatic fall detection, and GPS-enabled mobile senior alerts.
We may be a bit bias, but we would say LifeStation is the best medical alert service out there. But with such an important decision you need to think about these essential areas that make up the best medical alert system for seniors.
Here are the questions you need to ask:
Need more info? Request a free brochure
or Call (800) 554-4600.
Need more info? Request a free brochure
or Call (800) 554-4600.
Need more info? Request a free brochure
or Call (800) 554-4600.
Need more info? Request a free brochure
or Call (800) 554-4600.
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