Best Medical Alert Systems with Fall Detection in 2019

Ever since LifeCall’s now famous line “I’ve fallen and I can’t get up”, medical alert buttons have been associated with getting help after a fall. Rightly so – falling is a real risk for seniors. In fact, the National Council on Aging tells us that a senior dies from a fall every nineteen minutes.

It’s a frightening thought, which is why we advocate for medical alerts with added fall detection, for extra peace of mind.

How Does Automatic Fall Detection Work?

Fall detection works in the same way as air bag deployment in a car. The pendant uses a combination of accelerometers, sensors, and algorithms, to sense when the wearer falls down. This is also the same accelerometer technology that allows your smartphone to rotate the screen when you turn your handset, so it can adjust the picture accordingly.

Once the unit detects a fall, it sends an automatic signal to the call center. This is of paramount importance. Even if the wearer is unconscious, too injured or confused to press the button, help is still contacted.

Knowing that help will come even if a loved one cannot push the button gives seniors and their caregivers extra peace of mind. Knowing that help is always available can even help keep seniors in their own homes longer.

The First Moments After A Fall Are Vital

Getting help quickly after a fall is so important. Seniors who are unable to get help run the risk of complications further down the line due to being left unattended, possibly injured, and at risk of getting cold. Any physical injuries, or emotional distress, go untreated. All this makes it more likely that they’ll have to stay in hospital longer, and can impact recovery rates.

Fall detection means seniors can get help at once. Dispatchers send EMTs or nearby caregivers (depending on the individual response plan) as soon as the button sends a signal to the call center. Having help on hand so quickly gets the user out of a bad situation and ensures they get the treatment they need, with no delays.

There are False Alarms – Is it Worth the Risk?

One concern we hear about fall detection is that the pendants can send out false alarms.

To be completely transparent, yes, this is a genuine issue. No fall detection system is perfect and from time to time the sensors might mistake an ordinary movement such as bending forward or getting into bed as a fall, and send out an alarm.

However, if this happens, the wearer need only press the button on their base station to contact the call center and let them know there’s no problem.

On the flip side, most systems are set so that if they detect movement after a fall, they don’t send out an alarm. This is to prevent false signals – the system assumes that if you can move, you can press your alarm. Because of this, it’s always a good idea to press the help button after a fall, just to make extra sure help is coming.

It’s clear that fall detection systems aren’t perfect. That said, we firmly believe they are worth the investment, especially for seniors who are particularly at risk from falls, such as those with balance issues, unsteadiness on their feet, or a history of falls.

It’s far better to risk the occasional false alarm than be left without a way to get help in the event of a fall. Medical alert companies are well aware of the potential for false alarms, and so are prepared for them to happen.

What To Look For In A Medical System With Fall Detection

Choosing the right system is important. Here are the things we recommend looking for:

Clear pricing. Make sure you know how much fall detection costs and how much you will pay every month.
An integrated pendant if wearing a second button is a problem. Some providers upgrade your existing button so you can use it for fall detection without needing separate equipment.
However, some offer fall detection as a separate pendant. This isn’t a complete no-no if the rest of the system is ideally suited to your needs, but it does mean wearing a second button.
Easy to cancel contracts. Our readers know that we take a strong stand against long term contracts, and we recommend checking out the terms and conditions of cancelling before signing anything.
A comfortable button or pendant. If seniors don’t feel comfortable with their medical alert, they’re far more likely to take it off, removing their source of immediate help.
Water resistance. The bathroom is a prime risk for slips and falls, so do check the button is safe for wearing when bathing or showering.

Questions To Ask Before Investing in a Medical Alert System

Before deciding on a medical alert system, we suggest 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?
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?
Do I have to wear a separate fall detection pendant?

How We Choose Medical Alert Companies

We only recommend companies that we’ve researched and found to offer good quality with a strong focus on customer service and easy to use equipment. Every medical alert company that we highlight has to meet the following criteria:

Good quality equipment that works exactly as advertised – no one should ever get unpleasant surprises when learning to use their medical alert.
Absolutely no long term contracts – we believe that no one should be tied into a long term contract that they are then stuck with.
Straightforward pricing – it’s absolutely fine to offer extra packages or features for an extra cost, but the cost should always be clear and upfront.
Strong customer service – sometimes seniors need help with a system fault, or have questions. It’s important to know that the company has trained support staff on hand to help.

Lots of medical alert companies include fall detection in their services. We think the following three medical alert companies offer some of the best options on the market. Read on to find out which one is the best fit for you.

1. MobileHelp

MobileHelp provides a versatile range of medical alerts, designed to suit every need and lifestyle. MobileHelp works without a landline, so even customers who don’t have one can still get full coverage. Customers can choose from Classic (an at-home system with base station), Solo (a mobile GPS system), or Duo, which combines a base station with a mobile device for coverage inside and outside of the home.

What’s included: Classic comes with a cellular base station for use in the home, and a choice of wrist or pendant button. Solo comes with an easy to wear mobile device, a choice of wrist or pendant button, and a charging cradle. Duo comes with a base station, a choice of wrist or pendant button, a mobile device and a charger. All options come with access to MobileHelp Connect, an online portal where caregivers can check on the status, and use of the device.
Button type: Choose from wrist or pendant.
Water resistant: Yes.
Integrated pendant: No – fall detection is worn as a separate button.
Fall button range: Works up to 600 ft from the base station and up to 350 ft from the mobile device.
Add-on features: Classic and Duo users can add medication reminders to their package. Customers can also buy wall buttons to make it easier to get help if they fall while not wearing their button.
Battery: Mobile unit lasts 24 hours between charges, while the base station has a 30 hour backup battery in case of emergencies.
Cost: Starts at $19.95 monthly for Classic, $37.95 monthly for Solo, and $41.95 monthly for Duo.
Cost to add fall detection: $10 monthly.
Contracts: No long term contracts.
Equipment / set up fee: No
What customers are saying:
“The service is excellent. When I called the person who answered the phone was very polite, warm, and had a real listening ear.”
“Polite customer service team, answer any and all questions, always ready to help. Would recommend this service to anyone needing a medical alert system”
“Everyone I talked to was very caring and went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable. Not pushy sales people just wanted what was best for my mom. After we got the system the follow up was awesome.”
Pros: All options work without a landline, the pricing is straightforward, glowing reviews about their customer service, and we love the caregivers can monitor the wearer’s activity and alters.
Cons: Having to wear the fall button as a separate pendant, which won’t appeal to everyone.
The verdict: Mobile help provides a versatile range of options to cover every need. Although the separate fall detection button is a bit of a nuisance, their high quality equipment, straightforward pricing, and excellent customer service go a long way to making up for that.

2. Medical Guardian

Medical Guardian offers several at-home and mobile options, and a smart watch with emergency button. The choice of options is impressive. No matter what your needs, there is sure to be a Medical Guardian option to suit them. Users can choose from Classic (in-home landline), Home (in-home cellular), or Family (in-home cellular with additional activity sensors that caregivers can monitor.) Those looking for a mobile option can choose from Mobile (a GPS system), Active (a combined GPS and WiFi system), or Freedom (a smart watch with emergency help features.)

What’s included: Classic and Home come with a base unit and a choice of wrist or button pendant. Family comes with a base unit, wrist or button pendant, and activity sensors. Mobile comes with the mobile device, charging cradle, and a choice of wrist or button pendant, plus a leather carrying case with belt clip. Active is an all in one unit, so simply comes with a charging cradle. Freedom is an all in one unit.
Button type: Choose from wrist or pendant.
Water resistant: Yes.
Integrated pendant: Yes, for the Active option. All at-home options are worn as a separate unit. Fall detection is not available on Mobile.
Fall button range: Works up to 350 ft from the mobile device. 1300 ft from Classic or Family base units, and 600ft from the Home base unit.
Add-on features: Customers can purchase extra buttons, wall buttons, voice activated wall buttons for if they can’t reach to press it, a car charger for the Mobile device, and a lockbox to store keys in the event an EMT has to access their home.
Battery: Classic and Family have a 32 hour backup battery, and Home has a 30 hour battery. The Mobile option lasts up to 24 hours per charge, and Active can last up to 5 days.
Cost: Classic starts at $29.95 monthly, Home starts at $34.95 monthly, and Family starts at $79.95 monthly. For on the go options, Mobile starts at $39.95 monthly and Active starts at $49.95 monthly.
Cost to add fall detection: $10 monthly.
Contracts: No long term contracts.
Equipment / set up fee: No.
What customers are saying:
“Everything was quick and professional. As a nurse, I recommend this device for elderly or incapacitated people. I'm glad I got it for mom.”
“Within minutes the EMT were at my door, they had the number for my door lock from the dispatcher and there they were helping me. Thank you, Medical Guardian, you lived up to everything you said this protection would do. I am so happy that I chose you for my protection.”
“My sense of security now is 100%. I would not go without them. I tell my friends to buy this device as a Christmas gift for their mom or grandma.”
Pros: So many options to choose from, which makes choosing the right option for you a breeze. The mobile units are designed to be small and easy to take out and about, and we appreciate the straightforward pricing.
Cons: No fall detection on Mobile unit, fall detection is a separate button for the other units, and there’s a lack of extra features such as activity monitoring.
The verdict: A robust range of products and good quality equipment that you can trust, backed by a strong customer service team.

3. LifeFone

LifeFone has a long history of providing quality medical alerts, backed by top notch customer service. As well as offering a wide range of options for any lifestyle, LifeFone’s at-home landline option travels with you wherever you. Simply take it with you and plug it into the landline at your new address, whether you’re on vacation, visiting family, or moving home. Users can choose from in-home landline or cellular options, on-the-go mobile device with button or pendant, or a voice-in mobile device that has everything in one pendant.

What’s included: Both in-home options come with a base station and a wrist button or pendant. On-the-go GPS comes with a mobile device for outside, a charging cradle, a base station for at home, and a wrist button or pendant. Voice-in mobile comes with the all-in-one unit and a charging cradle. Your spouse or partner is also covered, although this coverage doesn’t include fall detection, which must be purchased separately for the second person.
Button type: Choose from wrist or pendant.
Water resistant: Yes.
Integrated pendant: The voice-in mobile option is integrated, but the on-the-go mobile option and both at home options come with a separate fall detection pendant.
Fall button range: Up to 600 ft for the at-home options and up to 350 for on-the-go. The voice-in pendant is integrated, so range is limited only by cell phone service in the area.
Add-on features: In-home landline customers can subscribe to a daily activity check for $6 monthly. All customers can choose to opt in for a daily check in call for extra peace of mind, for $19 monthly. LifeFone also offer daily medication reminders for $6 monthly (there are some restrictions on which system this works with, so do check in with LifeFone if you’re not sure you’re eligible.) Customers who have in-home are on-the-go GPS systems can sign up for a location service for $9 monthly, to help carers keep track of them. LifeFone also offer a range of accessories: Wall mounted or hanging lockboxes, a wall mounted help button, additional pendants, a lanyard, and a protection plan in case the device is damaged or stolen.
Battery: Both in-home systems have a 32 hour battery life. On-the-go GPS has 30 hours (very impressive compared to other systems), while the voice-in pendant lasts 36 hours.
Cost: In-home landline starts at $24.95 monthly, and cellular starts at $30.95 monthly. On-the-go starts at $36.95 monthly, and voice-in starts at$42.95 monthly.
Cost to add fall detection: $5 monthly – the most affordable we’ve seen.
Contracts: No long term contracts, and if you cancel your contract you might be eligible for a pro-rated refund.
Equipment / set up fee: No.
What customers are saying:
“My mom had LifeFone for years after my dad passed and until she moved in to assisted living. It made her feel secure and it gave me tremendous peace of mind. She told me how much she liked their customer service. They do a great job, and they really made us feel like they cared. I highly recommend them.”
“I have had a great experience with my Lifefone. They are always so helpful and professional and respond quickly whenever I push my button. I feel much safer being home alone and my kids have peace of mind as well. I would recommend Lifefone to anyone looking for a medical alert button.”
“I really love the fact that Lifefone has given my family member the confidence to feel safe and secure being on their own. They love the fact that their system can be used for in and out of the home since they are independent and always on the move. The best part I believe are the staff members.”
Pros: There’s so much to love about LifeFone. A wide range of options, affordable fall detection, and of course their excellent customer service. We also like their range of caregiver solutions such as daily check in calls, to provide extra peace of mind.
Cons: The only drawback we can see is that the fall detection pendant is a separate unit.
The verdict: LifeFone offers reliable high quality equipment with lots of offers, good customer service, and is competitively priced. Whatever you need from your fall detection medical alert system, LifeFone has got the system for you.

Choosing a medical alert system is a big decision. We recommend these three providers – they offer excellent equipment quality, great customer service, and the added peace of mind of knowing that if you fall, you can get help.