Balance becomes trickier to maintain as our muscles lose strength and our reflexes slow through the aging process. Although we can perform exercises to improve our balance and reduce our risk of falling, we should also have a backup if we’re often alone.
Relying on your smartphone isn’t enough, since you probably won’t have the device on your person at all times (especially when you’re at home). If you have Alexa or Google Home, those devices won’t work either — at least for now — since neither can call 911, even though they can dial normal phone numbers.
Safety alert devices are your best option to stay safe both at home and on the go. But with numerous brands on the market with varying degrees of features, effectiveness, and popularity, which do you choose?
Our three favorite medical alert system providers are MobileHelp, Bay Alarm Medical, and Medical Guardian. Prices below are monthly, and refer to each provider’s most basic option for landline and mobile/GPS services.
MobileHelp
Cost of landline service: $20
Landline service coverage area: 600 feet
Cost of cellular service and GPS tracking: $38
Cost of fall detection: $10
Contract or commitment: None
Activation fee: None
Cancellation fee: None
Certifications: Food and Drug Administration, Federal Communications Commission, PTCRB, Underwriters Laboratories, AT&T Network
Additional languages: Spanish, plus 240 additional languages via an interpretation service
Cellular/mobile service provider: AT&T
Nonemergency hours for customer service: Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern time; Saturday 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time
In-home call button battery life: Up to five years
Mobile unit battery life: Over 24 hours after three-hour charge
Bay Alarm Medical
Cost of landline service: $20
Landline service coverage area: 1,000 feet
Cost of cellular service and GPS tracking: $30
Cost of fall detection: $10
Contract or commitment: None
Activation fee: None
Cancellation fee: None (full refund within the first 30 days, minus shipping)
Certifications: Underwriters Laboratories, The Monitoring Association Five Diamond Program
Additional languages: Over 180 (select a language when ordering the device)
Cellular/mobile service provider: AT&T
Nonemergency hours for customer service: Monday to Friday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific time; Saturday and Sunday 8 a.m to 12 p.m. and 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Pacific time
In-home call button battery life: Five years for button without fall detection; two years for button with fall detection
Mobile unit battery life: Three days
Medical Guardian
Cost of landline service: $30
Landline service coverage area: 1,300 feet
Cost of cellular service and GPS tracking: $40
Cost of fall detection: $10
Contract or commitment: None
Activation fee: None
Cancellation fee: None (cancel within 10 days of receiving your order for a prorated refund — shipping included)
Certifications: Underwriters Laboratories, FM Approvals, The Monitoring Association, Electronic Security Association
Additional languages: Spanish, plus other languages via a third-party service
Cellular/mobile service provider: AT&T
Nonemergency hours for customer service: Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern time; Saturday and Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time
In-home call button battery life: Up to five years
Mobile unit battery life: 24 hours
Featured image via Unsplash
