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.

Best Home Medical Alert Systems For Seniors

Updated On: March 24, 2020

Knowing help is available is very comforting, for seniors and caregivers alike. The reassurance it provides can even help seniors stay at home for longer. We look at the best medical alert systems in the home.

About Our Expert:

Amie Clark

Editor of TheSeniorList.com

Amie has 20 years of experience in various senior care roles at skilled nursing facilities in Oregon and later as Senior Housing Advisor she helped seniors and their families find the best housing and care options.

In that role, Amie helped a client who was at risk of a fall related injury by recommending a medical alert system. From there she began hand-testing medical alert systems and writing reviews for them. Over the past 10 years as Editor of TheSeniorList, Amie’s writing has helped over 800,000 seniors and their families choose the right medical alert system.

20 years experience in various senior care roles at skilled nursing facilities
10 years experience hand-testing medical alert systems
Through her writing, she’s helped over 800,000 seniors and their families choose a medical alert system

#1 Medical Guardian

Their medical alert systems:

Medical Guardian offers two in-home systems, one for landline users and another for those without a landline. The large in-home range (13oo ft from the base station) ensures that even the largest homes are covered.

Why We Recommend Medical Guardian

Top-rated customer service
No contracts, no hidden fees
Automatic fall detection can be added
Lightweight and water resistant wearable buttons

View Products

800-520-5889

#2 Bay Alarm Medical

Their medical alert systems:

Bay Alarm Medical’s range was designed to make life easier for seniors, and it shows. Their systems are reliable, powerful, and backed by great customer service.

Why We Recommend Bay Alarm Medical

Reliable equipment
Free monitoring for spouse
Excellent customer service
Wall buttons for around the home

View Products

844-284-7976

#3 GreatCall Lively Mobile

Their medical alert systems:

Why We Recommend GreatCall Lively Mobile

No long-term contracts
Uses the latest technology
Discounts for AARP members
Cellular system great for in the home and out

View Products

For older adults, a medical alert system is a sensible idea. In fact, we’d go as far as to say it’s a must. Getting help quickly is vital in the event of a fall or medical emergency. Even seniors who live with a spouse or relative have no guarantee that person will be around should something happen, or that they’ll be able to take swift action.

A medical alert button means that should seniors need help, someone is there for them. With one press of the button they’re in touch with the call center, who can dispatch an ambulance, or a family member or caregiver if needed.

Making Home Safer For Seniors

For seniors who spend most of their time at home, a medical alert system keeps them safe.

Seniors who are mostly at home frequently stay there due to medical issues, or sometimes because they’re recovering from a hospital stay. It only makes sense to make sure they have that extra backup should they need it.

Older adults are at a higher risk of falls than the rest of the population, and it’s so easy for falls to happen at home. The bathroom, kitchen and laundry room are particularly dangerous places for slips and falls. There are also risks associated with steps and rugs, or badly positioned furniture.

Having a medical alert means that even if a fall happens, help can be on the way in seconds.

Look For A Medical Alert You Can Rely On

Seniors who are mostly at home need a reliable medical alert they can trust. This gives caregivers extra peace of mind, too – they know that even when they’re not around, their loved ones are protected.

Getting help quickly in the event of a fall or other medical incident makes a big difference. A medical alert means that caregivers or EMTs are on the scene fast, and seniors are not stuck unable to get help. Getting up or getting to the hospital faster has a positive effect on recovery times.

What To Look For When Choosing An At Home Medical Alert

With so many medical alerts on the market, it can be hard to know which one to choose. Here are some must-haves that we think every home medical alert needs:

Clear pricing. No one likes hidden surprises – it should be obvious how much the system costs, and what is included in the cost.
Comfortable to wear. The only way to stay protected is to keep your button on at all times, so a comfortable one is a must.
Choice of wrist button or pendant. Having a choice about how to wear the button means seniors are more likely to find a way that’s comfortable for them.
Fall detection. For seniors who are at home, fall detection is an important add on, making sure that if they can’t press their button, help can still come.
Water-resistant. The bathroom is one place where seniors need extra protection in case a fall happens. The button should be water-resistant to make sure they don’t take it off for bathing.
No long term contracts. We never recommend products that lock people into long term contracts.
Backup battery. Seniors need to know that when their power goes out, their medical alert will keep working.
A big enough range to cover seniors when they go to the porch, basement, laundry room or post box. Double-check the range before purchase and make sure it suits the home it’s intended for.

Questions To Ask Before Buying A Home Medical Alert

Before buying 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 Best At-Home Medical Alert Systems

We know our readers need a medical alert they and their loved ones can rely on. We only choose companies that offer:

Reliable equipment that works as advertised
No long term contract, ever
Straightforward pricing with no hidden fees
Top-notch customer service.
The option to wear as a pendant or a wrist button

Best Medical Alert Systems For Seniors At Home

Here are our top picks for seniors who need a medical alert at home.

#1. Medical Guardian

Largest In-Home Range!

Editor's Rating:

4.8 / 5

Medical Guardian offers two in-home systems, one for landline users and another for those without a landline. The large in-home range (1300 ft from the base station) ensures that even the largest homes are covered. Call to hear current Medical Guardian offers and pricing.

800-520-5889 View Packages

Medical Guardian has been around for over ten years now and is a fast-growing medical alert company. We’re always impressed with their range of offerings and the way they’re not afraid to grow and change to meet the needs of their customers. Let’s take a look at their in-home systems.

Landline or cellular: Their Classic system is a landline system, while Home is cellular-based. They also offer a Family system – this is a home system with extra activity sensors that caregivers can monitor.
What’s included: A base unit, and a button. The Family package also comes with extra sensors that can be placed around the home.
Button type: Choose from wrist or pendant.
Water-resistant: Yes
Add-on features: Customers can buy extra wall buttons to put around the house for added protection, including voice-activated wall buttons. Spare wearable buttons are also available, and a lockbox for keys so EMTs can enter the home without breaking in, if necessary.
Fall detection: $10 monthly
Range: 1300 ft from the base station
Battery: 32-hour backup battery for Classic or Family, and a 30-hour backup battery for Home.
Cost: Classic starts at $29.95 monthly, while Home starts at $34.95 monthly and Family starts at $79.95 monthly.
Long term contracts: No
Equipment / set up fee: No
What customers are saying:

“I don’t have balance and I can’t walk or step at any place without a walker. I now have Medical Guardian and it makes me feel safer to go anywhere. I wouldn’t go anywhere without it. I’m very comfortable with it and I sleep with it too.”
“M son decided that I need a medical alert device and he insisted on wanting to buy Medical Guardian. Since having my Medical Guardian device, I have peace of mind. I could take it anywhere I go. I’m very satisfied with Medical Guardian. It’s really a good product.”
“Everything went smoothly. I tested out the button one time and I got a response. It’s reassuring to know I have the button. It’s a valuable asset for people who are living alone and have health problems.”

Pros: We like the option for caregivers to monitor activity, and were impressed by the range on this device, too.
Cons: Extra features are quite basic, and the cost of the Family option might be a bit much for some seniors.
The Verdict: Medical Guardian is a reliable at-home system that makes it easier for caregivers to monitor their loved ones if necessary, and offers protection in any part of the home.

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

Medical Guardian Classic Guardian — Classic Guardian

#2. Bay Alarm Medical

4G LTE and Fall Detection All In One

Editor's Rating:

4.7 / 5

Bay Alarm Medical offers excellent coverage inside the home and out. Call to hear current Bay Alarm Medical offers and pricing.

844-284-7976 View Packages

Bay Alarm Medical is a well-known medical alert company that provides innovative medical alert solutions (such as an in-car option), backed by caring customer service.

Landline or cellular: Both options are available.
What’s included: A wearable button and base station, plus you can add wall buttons.
Button type: Wrist or pendant.
Water-resistant: Yes.
Add-on features: Add a lockbox, spare buttons, a vial of life (free on most plans), or a protection plan. You can also add monitoring for a spouse for $3 monthly. Bay Alarm has recently added Bella charms to their in-home offering – these pretty charms cover the wearable button to make it more pleasing to the eye.
Fall detection: Yes, $10 monthly
Range: Up to 1000 ft from the base station.
Battery: 32-hour backup battery.
Cost: Starts at $19.95 monthly. Add voice activated wall buttons for $3 monthly, or pay $10 monthly if you order a four-pack of buttons.
Long term contracts: No
Equipment / set up fee: No
What customers are saying:

“Emergency services arrived quickly and the company called me and my sister, as well as the front desk of her independent living home. Installation was easy and customer service always responsive. It was reassuring to know my mother had the support she needed.”
“I was really appreciative of the excellent care given me today.”
“The technician I spoke with was very helpful and went the extra mile. Thank you for the great response and super service.”

Pros: Well-priced and reliable equipment that keeps seniors safe at home. Strong reputation for good customer service.
Cons: The pricing for different add-ons can seem a little confusing at first glance.
The Verdict: A medical system you can rely on, ideal for seniors in the home. Read the full Bay Alarm Medical review here.

Bay Alarm Medical medical alert systems — Bay Alarm Medical

Bay Alarm Medical pendants and cellular — On-The-Go, Fall Detection, and Pendant

Bay Alarm Medical Cellular Medical Alert — On-The-Go

#3. GreatCall

GreatCall specializes in flexible options for seniors on the go – but we think their GreatCall Lively mobile device is also ideal for seniors in the home. Because it’s cellular it works anywhere, and it can be worn in multiple ways. It’s got a lovely modern look, too, proving that seniors at home don’t have to settle for old-fashioned looking systems.

Landline or cellular: Cellular
What’s included: A GreatCall Lively in silver or gold, plus a charging cradle, magnetic lanyard, and accessory clip.
Button type: The Lively is a small rectangular device that can be worn as a pendant, around the wrist, clipped to the belt or even on a key chain.
Water-resistant: Yes
Add-on features: Rather than add on features, GreatCall offers set packages. The Basic package offers just the device and monitoring. However, customers can also opt for a Preferred or Ultimate package. Preferred includes UrgentCare which connects the wearer to a live nurse or doctor chat any time and an online caregiver tracking portal. Ultimate includes all of the above plus a free replacement if the device is damaged, lost or stolen, and added fall detection.
Fall detection: Only as part of the Ultimate package.
Range: Goes wherever the wearer goes.
Battery: Lasts at least 24 hours per charge.
Cost: Basic costs $24.99 monthly, Preferred costs $29.99 monthly, and Ultimate costs $39.99 monthly.
Long term contracts: No
Equipment / set up fee: No
What customers are saying:

“I would definitely recommend them to anyone. I like the feature that has the GPS so my daughters can track me which is wonderful since we’re 2,500 miles away. That’s always a peace of mind that they know where I’m at and how to get ahold of me if something should happen.”
“I wear it when I get up in the attic and I wear it when I get up on the ladder. I called them not very long ago because I wanted to be sure it works, and the response time was very good. The rep answered right away. So I was very happy. I would recommend Lively Mobile.”
“I thought it would be safer to have a medical alert device so I got one from Lively Mobile. It feels comfortable. Also, I call in a couple of times to test it and make sure it’s working. Overall, I’m satisfied.”
Pros: We love how straightforward the pricing is, and the ability to talk live with a nurse or doctor if needed. It’s a nice modern looking device, too.
Cons: We’d like to see fall detection as a separate add-on, so seniors at home can benefit from it even if they don’t want the Ultimate package.
The Verdict: An easy to use and modern device that provides extra peace of mind for seniors and caregivers alike. Read our GreatCall review here.

Seniors who spend most of their time in the home need a medical alert system they can rely on. It’s vital to know that no matter what happens, help is close by. From a basic no-frills system to a buttonless system and a mobile device, these providers offer a wide range of in-home systems to fit any needs.

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

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