One major concern you may have as you grow older—especially if you live alone—is your loss of stability, balance, and mobility. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related deaths among adults aged 65 and above in the US.
Whether it is you or a loved one who is at risk for these accidents, it may give you peace of mind to know that there are numerous senior care products that have been developed to help foster a sense of independence and security among this age group.
One product that can be especially helpful for automatic fall detection is a medical alert system.
Choosing the best alert system is a matter of understanding what your particular needs are. Similar to how we compiled this list, you should take into account different monitoring types, fall detection abilities, one-time fees, certification, customer reviews, and emergency response features.
You will have an idea of which system works best for you when you have a thorough understanding of your overall health and abilities. Do not be afraid to admit the level of security or safety you may need—it's always better to be safe than sorry.
The Bay Alarm Medical is one of the top medical alert devices in the market today as it offers top-notch service and novel features at an affordable price. It comes with mobile devices such as an On the Go Help Button, Splitsecnd In-Car Alert, and SOS Smartwatch for more convenient mobile monitoring, which can be done even from further distances.
These additional devices are what set Bay Alarm Medical from the rest, as you will know that you are protected no matter where you are.
Aloe Health Care is one of the newer medical alert companies, but that does not make them any less qualified compared to the others on this list. Their Caregiver App is a fantastic innovation that makes this system one to consider. If you have a caregiver, they will be able to remotely check on you and receive regular, real-time updates.
This system also does not require landlines or WiFi to function as it is powered by 4G networks. As you level up your pricing plans among their three tiers, you will get to experience additional features, expanded coverage, and more help buttons.
MedicalAlert has some of the best all-around and comprehensive emergency systems. They are lauded for having received top certification for their 24/7 emergency monitoring services. You will also have lifetime warranties on equipment. Caregivers can use their mobile device app for remote monitoring as well.
It is considered the best medical alert system, often recommended by caregivers, industry leaders, and hospitals. Not only is it a trusted and reliable system, but it's also incredibly easy to use.
GetSafe has a unique system that is voice-activated. Usually, medical alerts work with devices that you have to operate. This particular system has wall buttons that are voice-activated, making it very user-friendly and convenient. You still have the option to wear a pendant for monitoring, if you wish.
You can easily install this system in your home, saving you on additional costs as well. Monthly monitoring fees are also less expensive and are dependent on the size of your home.
LifeStation is one of the great home alert systems for its seamless integrations with other brands and devices. It syncs with Amazon Alexa, allowing caregivers or family members to monitor their loved ones from a distance. It also works with Uber Health for the coordination of transportation to-and-from appointments and the like.
You do not have to worry about long-term contracts or upfront costs. LifeStation also has a very notable and fast response time.
QMedic's alert system has a number of unique monitoring features. You will be able to monitor activity patterns, sleep schedule, and quality, and even conduct compliance monitoring to ensure that the device is worn at all times. Caregivers or family members may use its dashboard to keep track of these metrics to ensure that their loved one is doing well.
While there is no fall monitoring due to their belief that this often leads to false alarms, the other monitoring features can give you an even more accurate picture of the user's health and wellbeing.
MobileHelp is the ideal system for those who want to be assured of customer satisfaction. Among all the life alert systems in the market today, MobileHelp garners some of the highest praise for customer service and reviews from their users.
They also create their equipment in-house. While they still utilize landlines for their alert systems, this makes it reliable even in the event that there are power outages.
Medical alert systems are the most reliable form of emergency care. If you opt for human supervision and hire a nurse or caregiver, they require breaks. This isn't the same for a medical alert device as it functions around the clock.
The wireless medical alert system must be able to connect to the network. Indeed, some devices feature a GPS locator that will give the operators in the medical monitoring center a good fix on your location once a panic button is pressed, and this GPS functionality requires some kind of wireless connection or data service.
On average, medical alert systems range in price from $19.95 to $49.95 per month. Keep in mind that this does not include any additional equipment costs that you might need.
Cancellation is easy with a call to customer service, but the company won't finalize the process until all of the equipment is returned. Because of this, it is recommended that you get tracking information when shipping your alert device back.
If you're in financial need, you can contact your local Area Agency on Aging to see if they can help you receive a home medical alert system for free. They will be able to direct you towards agencies that offer grants and scholarships for seniors in need.
When it comes to protecting senior health, emergency response systems are one of the most basic yet accurate ways of ensuring that seniors are safe and secure no matter what. With numerous types of systems and advanced features available today, you can sleep well knowing that you or your loved one will always be protected and taken care of.
Want to learn more about senior care? Senior Strong is the go-to resource for that! Contact us today to learn more.
