Will a medical alert system keep my mom/dad out of assisted living?

While a medical alert device may not solve all of the challenges of remaining at home for seniors, it is an important safety feature to consider if you are concerned about a loved one. In addition to adding an alert system, families may also be researching home care, walk-in tubs, scooters, durable medical equipment, and other in-home modifications to keep a loved one safe at home.

Why is there a monthly fee for medical alert systems?

There is a monthly fee for two reasons. 1) Since there are no fees to use the equipment, you are essentially renting it. 2) The monthly fee also pays for the peace of mind of knowing that help is on the way with the press of a button.

What about those medical alert systems with no monthly fee?

There are walkie-talkie types of alert systems that do not require a monthly fee — if you press the button, the call goes straight to 911 or a family member. Can you imagine how overloaded 911 dispatch would be every time a button was pressed? Knowing that the majority of button presses are not for emergencies, calling 911 every time someone decides to test their unit or has a question doesn’t seem like a good idea.

What happens if my loved one won't wear the medical alert device I paid for?

It can be frustrating to spend the time, energy, and money on a safety device for your loved one, only to find out they aren’t even wearing it! First, find out what their reason is for not wearing it. Is it uncomfortable? Are they embarrassed? Are they simply forgetting to put it on? If one device is uncomfortable, perhaps another device might be more accommodating. Many medical alert companies give users the option of wearing the button around their neck on a lanyard, or on the wrist with a wrist-watch type band. If they are embarrassed to be seen wearing the system, talk about discreet ways it can be worn under clothing. Or, perhaps your loved one would be more comfortable with a smartwatch medical alert system? If they don’t want to wear the button around the house, check with the alert company to see if they offer wall buttons that can be placed in high-risk fall areas throughout the home.

I don’t want to be locked into a long-term contract — how do I avoid that?

We don’t want you to be locked into a long-term contract either. If you choose any of the companies on this list, you will never be locked into a long-term contract. If you go elsewhere, always read the fine print and make sure you are comfortable with the language in the contract. As a last resort, have your attorney review the contract to ensure you are protected.

Mom is on a very limited budget — how do I know her monthly fee won’t increase?

Many of the companies on this list guarantee that the price you pay when you sign up will never increase. Be sure to ask about a price-lock guarantee.

I don’t want to micro-manage my dad’s care — how can a medical alert system help me to keep track of him without being intrusive?

If your loved one is using a mobile medical alert system with GPS, that’s one easy way to check in periodically to see where they are located. Some medical alert companies also offer daily check-ins, medication reminders, and proactive activity notifications as an add-on service.

Why is a medical alert system better than a cell phone?

In the event of an emergency, a cell phone can be difficult to navigate or may not be in close proximity to make a call. With an alert system, it only takes the simple push of a button to reach help.

We are snowbirds — can I take my medical alert system with me when I travel?

Absolutely. Simply call your provider and let them know you are traveling. You will give them your new address, and they will take care of the rest.

We no longer need the medical alert system — do we have to keep paying for it?

If you are with a company that doesn’t require a long-term contract, simply call customer service, let them know you won’t be needing the equipment anymore, and receive the return instructions. You must return the equipment in good working order or there may be a fee charged to your account for the equipment.

Mom needs this, but I’m concerned she won’t wear it because it looks like a medical alert unit.

Ladies rejoice! There are now jewelry and watch options to disguise alert buttons. Add it to your list of questions to ask when shopping around for a medical alert system.

Are there other options to keep my loved one safe that don’t require them to wear a button?

Yes. Many companies offer wall units that can be placed throughout the home. Some of them are voice-activated and do not require a user to be wearing a button to call for help.

How do first responders enter the home if my loved one is unresponsive?

A lockbox is the easiest way to provide first responders access to the home if your loved one is unable to open the door. Most medical alert companies offer lockboxes for a nominal fee when you sign up.

Dad has a pacemaker — is it safe for him to wear a medical alert device?

There is no easy answer to this question, as alert systems run on different frequencies. Talk to your loved one’s physician about the specific pacemaker and medical alert system you are considering.

Updated On: March 24, 2020

Best Medical Alert Systems For Blind Seniors

Amie Clark - Author

For seniors with vision loss, it's important to look for a medical alert system that is easy to install and use. These are the best medical alert for people with visual impairments.

#1 QMedic

Their medical alert systems:

QMedic was designed with blind or disabled seniors in mind, and it shows. Everything about it is built around ease of use. QMedic also offers impressive tracking functions, which give caregivers additional peace of mind.

Why We Recommend QMedic

Designed with vision impairment in mind
Straightforward pricing
No long term contracts
Easy to install and use

See Online Offers

877-740-5243

#2 Medical Guardian

Their medical alert systems:

Active Guardian from Medical Guardian is a particularly good choice for visually impaired seniors. This lightweight device works on both GPS and WiFi networks, offering a full range of protection at home and on the go.

Why We Recommend Medical Guardian

Shower and bath safe
Battery life up to 5 days
No set-up fees
Top rated equipment

See Online Offers

800-520-5889

#3 LifeFone

Their medical alert systems:

LifeFone offers a wide range of in-home and mobile options to suit every need. We think their “At-Home and On-The-Go” pendant is particularly suitable for visually impaired seniors.

Why We Recommend LifeFone

Water-resistant
Optional automatic fall detection available
Built-in two-way speakerphone
No long-term contracts

See Online Offers

(866) 790-3741

According to the American Foundation for the Blind, 6.5 million people over the age of 65 have a severe visual impairment. Seniors who are blind or visually impaired face unique challenges in their daily lives. This extends to their needs when it comes to medical alerts.

An older adult with a visual impairment might struggle to find their alert button or to press it, even while wearing it. The same is true of the base station – getting to it could prove challenging, as could finding the button to press.

There’s no doubt that a medical alert button is an excellent idea for seniors with vision impairment. In the event that there is a fall or the user is injured or becomes ill, being able to get help quickly is a must.

Having a medical alert gives caregivers additional peace of mind, too. They know that their loved one can get help easily if something happens.

But for seniors who are blind or visually impaired, getting help easily can prove more challenging than for other seniors. What should caregivers look for when helping the older adult in their life choose a medical alert system?

Look For Easy-To-Find Buttons

Check the base unit on the system you’re considering – are the buttons over-sized? Do they have a distinct texture, or bright color (for those seniors with low vision)?

If in doubt, we recommend giving the medical alert company a call and asking some questions. Any good medical alert service will be delighted to help, and you’ll get a taste of their customer service too.

Think carefully about wearable buttons. The wearable button is vital because it ensures seniors can summon help even when they’re not near the base station. Make sure the button is large enough to find and press easily.

If you’re choosing an all-in-one GPS system, check the button size and texture.

Choose Integrated Fall Detection

Fall detection is a common add-on for many medical alert services. Although fall detection isn’t perfect and false alarms do happen, we still recommend it as it helps more often than it hinders, and medical alert providers are used to the occasional false alarm.

For seniors with visual impairment, trying to distinguish between which is their medical alert and which is the fall detection pendant could lead to a delay in pressing the button to get help.

For some companies, fall detection comes as a separate pendant that must be worn alongside the existing alert button. For seniors who have a visual impairment, we recommend looking for an integrated fall detection option.

This means the existing medical alert button has fall detection capabilities that can be activated for a fee, with no need to wear a second pendant.

Consider A GPS Pendant With Two-Way Voice Built In

GPS medical alerts work outside the home, using a cellular network. These are ideal for seniors who are still active in their local community, or when running errands or visiting with friends.

Some GPS alerts feature the mobile device itself, plus a separate button to wear to summon help. The user and operator then talk via the two-way speaker in the mobile device.

With two-way voice integrated pendants, everything is in one unit. In the event of an emergency, seniors simply press their button and then talk to the call center via the same device.

GPS voice-in pendants are ideal for active seniors with visual impairment. However, in some cases, they are appropriate for less active seniors, too. The two-way speaker function means they can carry it with them wherever they go in the home or garden, safe in the knowledge that they can always talk to someone without the need to be in the range of a base station.

Important Features When Purchasing A Medical Alert For Blind Or Visually Impaired Seniors

With so many medical alerts to choose from, it’s important to know what makes a good system. We’ve found the following are a must when signing up for a medical alert service.

Upfront pricing. You should know at once what you’ll get for your money, with no hidden extras.
Comfort. No one likes to be uncomfortable – look for devices that are comfortable enough.
Water-resistant. It’s important that seniors keep their medical alerts on in the bath or shower, as the bathroom is a prime risk for slips and falls.
No long term contracts, ever. Make sure that if you want to cancel you can, without paying any penalty.
Backup battery. A power outage can happen at any time. Make sure that even if the power stops working, your medical alert doesn’t.
Easy to use buttons. Visually impaired seniors need buttons that are simple enough to find and press.

Questions To Ask Before Buying A Medical Alert For A Visually Impaired Senior

When deciding on a medical alert, we recommend asking:

Do I have to pay an equipment or setup fee?
Can I cancel my contract at any time?
How easy is it to cancel?
Will I be penalized for canceling early?
How long is the battery life?
What is my monthly cost?
What happens if the system stops working?
What is the typical response time for a call?
How much do I have to pay to add fall detection?

How We Chose The Providers On This List

We take care to recommend companies who offer a reliable service, backed by strong customer support. For the medical alert companies on this list, we looked for the following:

Equipment that does exactly what it’s supposed to do
No long term contracts and easy to cancel if needed
Clear pricing with no nasty surprises
Good customer service

We also looked for features or design choices that we thought would be particularly useful for visually impaired seniors.

#1. QMedic

Smartest Medical Alert System

QMedic goes beyond the basics with their 24/7 proactive data alerts for caregivers. When you’re setting up your QMedic system, you can choose to have caregivers or family members alerted when your mobility or sleep patterns deviate from your normal range. Call to hear current QMedic offers and pricing.

877-740-5243 View Packages

QMedic offers a range of systems – traditional base station and wearable alert button units that work either on a landline or cellular, plus a mobile unit for use out of the house. The lack of a mobile unit was the only thing we really could fault about QMedic, so we’re delighted to see they’ve added it to their range. See our full review of QMedic here.

What’s included: Both in-home systems come with a base station and a button. The mobile system comes with the mobile unit and a charging cradle.
Button type: Pendant or wrist button for in-home, pendant only for GPS.
Water-resistant: Yes. In fact, the in-home buttons are totally waterproof, so they can be worn in the bath or while washing dishes with no worries.
Add-on features: Rather than offering a huge amount of add on features at different price tiers, QMedic includes the same powerful tracking features with every plan. Caregivers have access to a portal, where they can see 24/7 device usage monitoring and call history. Caregivers can be alerted when the device is not being worn. QMedic also monitors sleep and activity, and if something seems wrong, they initiate a wellness call.
Fall detection: No – QMedic prefers not to offer fall detection because of the risk of false alarms.
Range: Up to 1000 ft from the base station for both in-home systems.
Battery: 24-hour backup battery in case of power outages. The mobile device has a battery life of two weeks between charges, which is longer than most!
Cost: $30 monthly for in-home systems. $45 monthly for GPS.
Long term contracts: No.
Equipment / set up fee: No.
What customers are saying:

“QMedic has impressed me by being responsive to any inquiry. Our entire family feels less anxious now that my mother-in-law is using QMedic.”
“The level of customer support is way better than I would have expected.“

Pros: We love how careful QMedic is about monitoring – both seniors and caregivers can feel more at ease knowing QMedic have their back. We appreciate the straightforward pricing too and the incredible mobile battery life.
Cons: It’s honestly hard to find anything we don’t like about QMedic – our one previous complaint was the lack of a mobile option, and they now have a mobile option.
The Verdict: QMedic is reliable, easy to use, and ideal for seniors with a visual impairment thanks to its waterproof buttons and fantastic base station range.

#2. Medical Guardian

Best Overall Medical Alert System

Editor's Rating:

4.8 / 5

Medical Guardian sets the standard in the medical alert industry for not only providing best-in-class equipment but also for offering the highest level of customer service. Call to hear current Medical Guardian offers and pricing

800-520-5889 View Packages

Medical Guardian is another popular medical alert company with a range of in-home and cellular systems for seniors.

We think their Active Guardian is a particularly good choice for visually impaired seniors. This lightweight little device works on both GPS and WiFi networks, offering a full range of protection at home and on the go. Read our full review of Medical Guardian here.

What’s included: The Active Guardian unit, plus a charging cradle.
Button type: Pendant.
Water-resistant: Yes – shower and bath safe which is worth noting as not every GPS system is watertight enough for bathing.
Add-on features: A lockbox and a protection plan in case the device is lost or stolen.
Fall detection: Yes, $10 monthly
Range: Travels wherever you do.
Battery: Up to five days, which is both convenient and impressive!
Cost: $49.95 monthly.
Long term contracts: No
Equipment / set up fee: No.
What customers are saying:

“I’m very satisfied with it. I’m very thankful that I have it. I feel safe at home and in my car. And I know that if I need help, I’ll get it.”
“I’ve had a very pleasant experience with Medical Guardian. Everyone has been polite, informative, and professional. I would recommend them to my friends.”
“My mom is so thankful. She feels more confident knowing that assistance is just a push-button away. Thanks for providing such a great service!”

Pros: Being shower and bath safe, and running on both GPS and WiFi, means this system has seniors covered everywhere. We also notice that the button is textured, making it easier for visually impaired seniors to find.
Cons: The cost – absolutely worth it for the quality of equipment, but might still be a little steep for some seniors. We’d also like to see more in the way of caregiver tracking.
The Verdict: If you’re looking for a go-anywhere-do-anything pendant that always has your back, Active Guardian is it.

Medical Guardian Classic Guardian — Classic Guardian

Medical Guardian base station with alert buttons, mobile alert and medical alert smartwatch. — Medical Guardian

#3. LifeFone

LifeFone offers a wide range of in-home and mobile options to suit every need. We think their “At-Home and On-The-Go” pendant is particularly suitable for visually impaired seniors.

It’s an all-in-one solution that seniors can wear wherever they go. The necklace also serves as a two-way communication device so they can always talk to the service center. Read our full review of LifeFone here.

What’s included: The mobile device and a charging cradle, plus belt clip.
Button type: Pendant, though it can also be worn on a belt clip.
Water-resistant: Yes
Add-on features: Customers can opt for a daily check-in call for $19 monthly, or a location service to help caregivers keep track of them for $9 monthly. There are also several accessories on offer: A lanyard, a lockbox, and a protection plan in case the device is lost or stolen.
Fall detection: Yes, for $5 monthly (the cheapest we’ve seen.)
Range: Travels wherever you do.
Battery: 36 hours per charge.
Cost: $42.95 monthly.
Long term contracts: No
Equipment / set up fee: No
What customers are saying:

“I’ve had LifeFone for a long time and my experience with it has been good. I have no problem with it. I’m a little older and by myself and LifeFone makes me feel more secure.”
“My family has more peace of mind and they’re happy with it and so I’m certainly happy with it as well.”
“I live alone and I’m fearful that I wouldn’t get help if I needed it. I’m glad I have LifeFone. I rely on it and it gives me a sense of security. I’ve used it a few times and it has been a lifesaver.”

Pros: We love how easy it is to wear and carry indoors or out, and the $5 fall detection fee is fantastic.
Cons: The fall detection might be cheap, but the rest isn’t. LifeFone offers good quality but the $42.95 monthly price tag could be a bit much for some seniors.
The Verdict: This is ideal for seniors who are still active and want to stay safe no matter where they are.

Best Overall Medical Alert System

Editor's Rating:

4.8 / 5

800-520-5889 View Packages

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