Data released by the CDC indicates that millions of people aged 65 and older fall each year, of which 800,000 are hospitalized due to injuries. What’s more, falling once makes you twice as likely to fall again, according to the same fact sheet.
Your independence is precious. You shouldn’t have to give it up just because you’re growing older. All you need is a reliable way to get help quickly and easily when you need it.
A medical alert system gives you access to unlimited support wherever and whenever—if you have a fall at home alone or experience an emergency while running errands. But with so many different systems on the market, how do you know which one is right for you and your lifestyle? We’ve tested and compared the best medical alert systems to help you stay safe and independent at home—and give you more time to spend with loved ones.
Our Top 10 Best Medical Alert Systems for 2023:
- Medical Guardian – Best medical alert system overall
- ADT Health – Best for fixed monthly pricing
- MobileHelp – Best for tele-healthcare features
- One Call Alert – Best for households using the same system
- Life Alert – Best for access to an on-site dispatch center
- UnaliWear – Best smartwatch for fall detection
- LifeFone – Best for daily check-in call subscriptions
- Lively – Best for a wide range of senior-friendly devices
- Medical Alert – Best for easy-to-use systems
- Lifeline – Best for accurate fall detection
Our Methodology: How We Reviewed the Best Medical Alert Systems
To compare the top medical alert systems, we prioritized the most reputable, established life alert companies. These providers are renowned for their experience, technology, and ability to offer prompt, reliable care from well-trained staff members. We also used seven questions to rate each of the 10 medical alert system companies, which were:
- How easy is the device to use?
- How affordable is the service?
- How reliable is the support team?
- Does the system include fall detection?
- Is the device comfortable and wearable?
- What is the field range of the device?
- What technologies make it better than others on the market?
The top 10 best medical alert systems
Reasonably-priced medical alert sytems
Medical Guardian has been in business for 16 years and boasts over 300,000 users. Their medical alert systems deliver 24/7 at-home and on-the-go monitoring, while their versatile devices can connect to landlines, WiFi, and cellular networks.
Chris McDermott, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified life care planner at Intercoastal Consulting & Life Care Planning (ICLCP), states that the company’s connectivity options give consumers “the best of both worlds, as some other devices [are] limited to a landline or cellular service.” He adds, “[this] service also uses Verizon for its cellular network, which can be helpful if one travels somewhere with limited connectivity and has an emergency.”
Medical Guardian provides monthly, quarterly, or annual subscription options, and offer add-on services, such as fall detection, at an extra cost. Long-term contracts are not required, and the initial subscription fee includes the price of the equipment.
Why we chose Medical Guardian: Medical Guardian offers features like automatic emergency response, fall detection, and an extended signal range of up to 1,400 feet. In addition, their certified Diamond Monitoring Center is available around the clock and notifies your designated contact in emergency and non-emergency situations—no matter which subscription you choose.
Our experience: We felt that Medical Guardian’s product quiz effectively determined which device best suits our needs. After answering three questions, the site recommended we try Mobile 2.0. This device had an extended, five-day battery life and GPS tracking – fit for active seniors. However, we didn’t like that they asked for our contact details before sharing this recommendation.
19+ million alarm responses annually
ADT Health has access to several US-based control centers and protects around six million users. They offer three service tiers, each with flexible payment options and a permanent price lock guarantee. ADT also provides access to additional services, including home temperature monitoring and around-the-clock support.
Their monitoring specialists are trained to assist seniors in various emergencies, including health-related concerns. These experts assess your situation, contact and dispatch emergency personnel to your home, and keep your family members updated as needed.
Helen Anderson, a nurse care manager at Hello Care in Portland, OR, tells the story of how ADT’s temperature detection feature once alerted them that a senior’s home was too hot over the summer. They were able to enter the house, where they found that the AC unit’s breaker had popped out. She adds, “the risks for older adults living alone are unpredictable, so a system that detects falls and temperature extremes covers more possibilities.”
Why we chose ADT Health: This service offers a waterproof wall-mount button free of charge for additional protection in the shower. ADT also includes two-way talk in every package to ensure clients can reach support whenever needed.
Our experience: We liked that ADT Health shipped and activated the medical alarm system at no extra cost. We also appreciated that their site clearly explains who each service tier is for – for example, stating that the Medical Alert Basic system is fit for people who mainly stay home and have a landline.
Versatile medical alert monitoring solutions
With MobileHelp, you can choose between an in-home or on-the-go system, or a bundled package that combines the two. These medical alert systems suit seniors who spend most of their time at home and active older adults who enjoy being out and about.
MobileHelp’s devices have several valuable add-on services, such as MD Live and Mobile Vitals, which help seniors take charge of their health and maintain their independence. MDLive, for example, provides telehealthcare services that let you connect with a board-certified doctor through video calls.
John Buchanan, a registered nurse and former EMT at Saint Francis Hospital, remembers responding to an older woman who had fallen and hit her head. She lived alone with a MobileHelp system and only spoke Spanish. Fortunately, the monitoring representative on the base unit was able to interpret. He alerted John’s team that the patient had been taking blood thinners, so they took her to the hospital as a precaution. Tests later showed she had internal bleeding. John says, “without an interpreter, we might not have known her history or what medications she was taking.”
Why we chose MobileHelp: This provider allows you to try their service for 30 days. When you join, they don’t ask you to sign a contract or pay equipment fees (for six of the eight products offered).
Our experience: We like that MobileHelp offers a wide array of add-on services. We also appreciated their quick response times—from 1-15 seconds on average — indicating speedy and attentive service.
