Medical alert system basics
Just about every medical alert service functions with the same medical devices: a base station, an emergency button worn as a pendant or wristband, and a 24/7 monitoring center. Some more advanced medical alert pendants include features such as fall detection and built-in two-way communication, but these emergency systems are typically more expensive. All of these work together to provide you with peace of mind and safety.
The base station contains your personal contact information that will relay your name and address to a medical professional when you activate your alert button. The system plugs into your wall outlet and should sit on a table or other flat surface nearby. Depending on the system, it could be ready to go at this point or you may have to plug it into a landline connection. Landline connections are cheaper, but cellular out-of-the-box systems are more convenient. Most medical alert systems include a backup battery in the case of a power outage.
Your emergency button is the device that you should have on you at all times. If it's a mobile medical alert device, you will likely need to charge it daily to make sure it has enough battery life to last you. Usually, the medical alert button is outfitted with a pendant or wristband. It is also water resistant so it can be worn in the shower or while you're doing dishes or cleaning. If you experience a fall or another emergency, press the emergency button and it will send a signal to the base unit that you've experienced an emergency. From that point, the base unit will send a signal to a remote monitoring station who will then contact emergency responders if necessary.
In-home and mobile systems
Due to their limited range, in-home medical alert systems are noticeably cheaper than mobile medical alert systems. They're manufactured for seniors that hardly ever leave the comfort of their home. The range of the base station isn't farther than 600 feet on average, meaning that the base station will lose communication with the emergency pendant if it goes beyond that. If your loved one is a homebody who isn't going to make too many trips out of the house, you'll be just fine with one of these.
On the other hand, if your loved one is living an active lifestyle and wants the freedom of going anywhere, a mobile medical alert system is going to be the best option. These usually cost anywhere from $15 to $25 per month extra depending on the company and package. These systems have a limited battery life and need to be recharged every night, but can be tracked anywhere through the built-in GPS technology. If your loved one wants to take the emergency button on a walk in the park or weekly grocery trip, that's no problem at all. If there is an emergency, just a press of the panic button will summon emergency personnel who will be able to pinpoint the exact location via GPS tracking coordinates. Mobile medical alert systems are often managed through a cellular network for better coverage.
Monitoring
Any medical alert company worth its salt will have your station monitored by a monitoring station 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. This means that you should have the peace of mind of pushing the panic button and having someone available at all times. Also, look for certifications. Two important names are Underwriters Laboratories and The Monitoring Association (formerly the Central Station Alarm Association). Underwriters Laboratories tests safety equipment such as home security and medical alert equipment to make sure it is properly manufactured, and the organization also certifies monitoring stations for quality. A monitoring station specially certified by The Monitoring Association serves as a badge of reputability, so if a company has monitoring stations certified by either of these organizations, they're doing something right.
Contracts
The shorter the contract, the better. Top tier medical alert companies will operate on a month-to-month basis, so there is virtually no contract to deal with and no cancellation fees. Whenever you feel like canceling your service, you should be able to contact your company representative, ship back the system, and get your refund without a problem. However, be wary of companies that try to rope you into a long-term contract. If you end up signing a long-term contract and decide you don't need the system after a few months, you're stuck with it and the pricing you agreed upon when signing the contract. And if you insist on returning it, you might be forced to buy out of your contract, which could cost you hundreds of dollars. Make sure you do your due diligence and ask your company representative specific questions about contract terms. You could be saving yourself hundreds of dollars and huge headaches in the long run.
Activation and equipment fees
Some medical alert companies will offer a low monthly rate, but charge you a substantial one-time payment in the form of an installation fee or activation fee to offset those low prices. When this is the case, a company won't post anything on their website regarding installation or activation fees. When you talk with a representative, make sure to ask about installation and activation fees. Aside from the costs, it could take time out of your day that you could be spending elsewhere to stay home while a professional comes over and installs your system. Our findings show that top medical alert companies with high customer satisfaction typically don't charge any kind of equipment fee or activation fee, so make sure to read reviews to see what other customers are saying.
Warranties
Most medical alert companies will offer some kind of warranty on their equipment. Usually, it's a limited warranty for one or two years, but top companies almost always have a lifetime warranty on equipment. This means if anything arrives defective or degrades over time, you should be able to get it replaced free of charge. This is another thing you'll want to ask your company representative about before you sign on the dotted line. Make sure you know the specifics of the warranty information before you make any final decisions. Also, be sure your chosen medical alert device is water resistant before getting it wet, as not all medical alert devices are meant to be waterproof, and the warranty might not cover water damage.
