Living independently at home is important to tens of millions of seniors. According to a recent poll by the AARP, 77% of adults over the age of 50 prefer to “age in place” or remain in their homes as they get older. For many, medical alert systems are important safety devices that help them continue living independently.
Medical alert systems are home-based or wearable devices that allow seniors to send a signal that they need help in the event of a fall, or many other types of emergency situations. They also provide comfort to caregivers, since they can monitor seniors’ whereabouts and daily activity in the homes.
Choosing the best medical alert system can be difficult since there are dozens of providers. Modernize created this list of the 10 best medical alert systems to help caregivers and seniors choose a system that best meets their needs.
Best Brands at a Glance
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- Over 175,000 U.S. monthly subscribers
- In-home landline, mobile, and GPS options
- In-home range up to 1,300 ft.
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- Most U.S. subscribers
- Landline, cellular, and GPS options
- In-home range up to 800 ft.
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- Decades in business
- Partner with UberHealth
- In-home range up to 500 ft.
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- Comes with lifetime warranty
- Online management features
- In-home range up to 1,400 ft.
10 Best Medical Alert Systems of 2024
Medical Guardian
- Starting Monthly Fee: $29.95
What We Love
Medical Guardian, established in 2005, stands out with its impressive average response time of 8 seconds, ensuring rapid assistance when needed. Catering to over 175,000 active subscribers, it offers a versatile range of systems to accommodate various senior needs, including a GPS-enabled smartwatch and features like fall detection and medication checks.
Cost Information
With a starting monthly subscription of $29.95, Medical Guardian positions itself averagely in the market. Notably, the brand provides opportunities for savings through discounts on annual subscriptions, balancing cost with comprehensive medical alert services.
Best Feature
The standout feature of Medical Guardian is its exceptionally quick monitoring response time, which is the fastest among all systems reviewed. This swift action in emergencies underscores a reliable and efficient support system for seniors, ensuring immediate help and peace of mind.
Philips Lifeline
- Starting Monthly Fee: $29.95
What We Love
Philips Lifeline, established in 1974, brings extensive experience as one of the longest-standing providers in the medical alert system industry. With a dedicated approach to senior needs, their call center operators undergo specialized training, ensuring adept handling of senior-specific issues and emergencies. Boasting the highest number of U.S. subscribers in the industry, Philips Lifeline has become a trusted name in providing reliable emergency response services.
Cost Information
Philips Lifeline doesn’t disclose pricing on its website, which can be a drawback for potential customers seeking transparent cost information upfront. However, their diverse offerings, from in-home landline to cellular and GPS-based models, suggest a range of pricing options to cater to varied user needs and budgets.
Best Feature
Impressively, Philips Lifeline maintains an average response time of just 12 seconds, providing swift assistance in emergencies. Coupled with features like fall detection, location checks, and a waterproof help button, the brand ensures a robust safety net for seniors, prioritizing rapid response and comprehensive support.
LifeStation
- Starting Monthly Fee: $22.95
What We Love
LifeStation, a family-owned company since 1977, has solidified its reputation through decades of consumer satisfaction and reliable service. Operating U.S. call centers in Texas and New Jersey, the brand demonstrates a commitment to local, accessible support for seniors. Their unique partnership with UberHealth, providing seniors with transportation to appointments, showcases a holistic approach to senior care and mobility.
Cost Information
Offering one of the more budget-friendly options in the market, LifeStation has a low monthly subscription fee of just $22.95. This cost-effective approach, paired with their initial 30-day refund policy, provides a financially accessible and risk-free entry for customers exploring medical alert system options.
Best Feature
LifeStation doesn’t just provide medical alert systems but also extends support to family members through its “Find My Loved One” feature, allowing text location checkups. With an impressive emergency response time of around 20 seconds and fall detection available in premium packages, LifeStation ensures rapid, reliable support in critical moments.
MobileHelp
- Starting Monthly Fee: $19.95
What We Love
MobileHelp, established in 2009, has rapidly gained a reputation for its reliable and customer-focused medical alert solutions. Offering a lifetime warranty on all products, it ensures users have dependable devices for the long term. The company also provides a comprehensive suite of online management tools, offering caregivers and family an efficient means to oversee the well-being of their loved ones, all with an average response time of 26 seconds.
Cost Information
MobileHelp stands out for its budget-friendly options and does not bind users to a long-term contract, providing financial and commitment flexibility. This approach makes it a suitable choice for those who may need a medical alert system for varying durations or on a short-term basis.
Best Feature
The remarkable in-home range of 1,400 feet is a standout feature of MobileHelp, ensuring consistent connectivity and assistance across larger living spaces. Available in landline, cellular, and GPS options, the devices ensure users have access to help whenever needed, supported by features like fall detection and 2-way voice connectivity to medical professionals.
OneCallAlert
- Starting Monthly Fee: $19.95
What We Love
OneCallAlert, boasting an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, offers a variety of low-cost medical alert systems tailored to diverse senior needs and lifestyles. With no necessity for a lengthy service commitment and an impressive emergency response time of 22 seconds, it stands out as one of the top choices in the medical alert system market today.
Cost Information
The company provides affordable medical alert systems, ensuring that seniors across various financial spectrums have access to vital emergency services. The absence of a requirement for a long-term service commitment further enhances its cost-effectiveness and appeal to a wider audience.
Best Feature
OneCallAlert shines with its in-home models offering a substantial connectivity range of 1,400 feet, ensuring reliable assistance across expansive living spaces. The systems, available with landline, cellular, or GPS connectivity, are complemented by features like fall detection, medication reminders, and 2-way voice connectivity, providing a comprehensive safety net for users.
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LifeFone
- Starting Monthly Fee: $29.95
What We Love
LifeFone, with over 40 years of experience, consistently achieves high ranks for customer satisfaction across various review platforms, offering both at-home and on-the-go systems. Esteemed for its no-contract policy, lifetime price-lock guarantee, and a 30-day money-back guarantee, it provides a reliable safety net for users whether they are at home or out and about.
Cost Information
LifeFone prides itself on financial transparency and user-friendly policies, offering no start-up fees and free spouse coverage, ensuring its top-tier services are accessible without hidden costs. The brand stands out for its commitment to stable pricing, safeguarding customers from unexpected price hikes with its lifetime price-lock guarantee.
Best Feature
Noteworthy for its robust feature set, LifeFone offers an impressive in-home connectivity range up to 1,300 feet and a swift emergency response time of 25 seconds. The optional fall detection, medication checks, and waterproof wearable help button, alongside 24/7 emergency personnel availability, underscore its dedication to user safety and support.
Bay Alarm Medical
- Starting Monthly Fee: $21.95
What We Love
Bay Alarm Medical, with call centers in Utah and Idaho, is celebrated for its comprehensive emergency coverage across the U.S. and adherence to stringent Underwriter Laboratories testing. The company’s commitment to customer satisfaction is evident through its 30-day risk-free trial, free activation, and shipping, along with a plethora of glowing consumer reviews.
Cost Information
Customers appreciate the financial transparency and flexibility offered by Bay Alarm Medical, which includes a price-lock guarantee and no long-term contracts. The company ensures that users can access their services without being burdened by hidden costs or unexpected price increases, aligning with their customer-first approach.
Best Feature
With a remarkable 10-second response time, Bay Alarm Medical ensures rapid assistance in emergencies. The company offers a wide array of features such as fall detection, location and caregiver tracking, and 2-way communication, all within a connectivity range of up to 1,000 feet in-home models, available through landline, mobile, and GPS devices, ensuring seniors are always within reach of help.
Medical Care Alert
- Starting Monthly Fee: $27.95
What We Love
Medical Care Alert distinguishes itself in the medical alert system domain by ensuring all its 24/7 call-center operators, located in New York and California, are certified EMTs or EMDs with specialized training in senior medical alert monitoring. The brand has garnered acclaim for its stellar customer service and proficient call center operations, ensuring seniors are in capable hands during emergencies.
Cost Information
While specific pricing details are not provided, Medical Care Alert offers various features and connectivity options, allowing users to select a plan that best aligns with their needs and budget. The availability of different wearable devices and system options provides flexibility, ensuring that users can choose a system that is both financially and functionally suitable for them.
Best Feature
With a commendable 30-second response time, Medical Care Alert ensures swift assistance in times of need. The brand offers a suite of features like fall detection, free text message notifications to caregivers, and water-resistant wearable devices, ensuring safety and communication are always accessible. The in-home systems, which have a range of up to 1,000 feet, alongside various connectivity options, ensure comprehensive coverage for users.
ADT
- Starting Monthly Fee: $29.95
What We Love
ADT, with its impressive 145-year history in home security, extends its expertise to medical alert systems for seniors, offering a robust safety net. Homeowners can integrate an ADT medical alert system with their existing home security setup, ensuring a comprehensive safety solution. With multiple U.S. call centers and a lifetime warranty on all products, ADT stands out for its reliability and commitment to customer satisfaction.
Cost Information
ADT offers a stable and transparent pricing model with its ADT forever rate, starting at $29.95 per month, which promises no rate increases, ensuring long-term affordability. The absence of long-term contracts provides flexibility for users, making it a financially accessible option for various households.
Best Feature
ADT’s medical alert systems boast a swift 20-second emergency response time, ensuring rapid assistance when needed. The systems come equipped with waterproof wearable options, fall detection, and home temperature monitoring, providing a multifaceted approach to user safety. With in-home models offering connectivity up to 600 feet, ADT ensures a reliable safety net for seniors at home.
Lively Mobile+ and Lively Wearable2
- Starting Monthly Fee: $19.99
What We Love
Lively, previously known as Great Call, caters to active seniors with its compact, waterproof mobile medical alert device, ensuring safety on the go. The device, which can be worn various ways or tucked into a purse, provides 2-way communication, fall detection, and enhanced GPS tracking, offering a versatile safety net for seniors wherever they are.
Cost Information
Lively presents an affordable safety solution with its medical alert systems starting at a low monthly cost of $19.99. A notable advantage is that a base station is not required to operate the mobile devices, making it a straightforward and cost-effective option for users who are frequently on the move.
Best Feature
With a remarkable 13-second response time, Lively ensures rapid assistance in emergencies. The unlimited connectivity range, thanks to the built-in cellular connection, guarantees that help is always reachable, providing peace of mind for both users and their loved ones.
