Medical alert devices truly are amazing. They can come in the form of a watch, a necklace, or some other gadget and give seniors access to support no matter where they are.
These little tools might even save the senior’s life. Imagine that they’ve gone out for a walk and have hurt their ankle. A cellphone might help, but only if they were good with technology and actually knew where they were.
A medical alert device is much simpler. There’s just a single button to push and help is on the way. Some of them even have fall detection capabilities, allowing help to be dispatched even if the senior is unconscious.
Today, we’re focusing in on the best medical alert necklaces for seniors. Necklaces are the most common style of medical alert device and have a variety of benefits. There are also some important features to look for, to ensure that the necklace does what you want it to.
The Features Of Medical Alert Devices
So, let’s begin with the features.
You’ll see some of these in most medical alert necklaces for seniors, while others are less common.
A Help Button
This is one of the key features of any medical alert device. It’s simply a button that seniors can push to access support.
Medical Monitoring Service
Monitored medical alert devices work by connecting seniors to a medical staff, who are then able to provide whatever support is needed. Companies typically have a call center of trained professionals to provide this support
GPS Tracking
GPS capability means that the device can track where the senior is and help can quickly be dispatched. This is valuable for when seniors are away from home, especially if they’re alone.
In some situations, GPS tracking could be critical, as the senior may not know where they are or may be unconscious. With GPS tracking, emergency services and family can quickly locate the senior, no matter how far they are away from home.
Voice Capabilities
Some devices are equipped with two-way voice communication. This allows the senior to talk with call center staff. Doing so helps staff members to assess the situation and determine the best way to support them.
Fall Detection
These features allow the necklace to detect when a senior has fallen. Some will then send an alert to the device that the senior can dismiss if there isn’t actually an issue. Others may have an operator speak directly to the senior through the device, to find out what they need.
These steps are important, as devices will sometimes misread a sudden movement as being a fall. Sending a notification or talking to the senior directly makes sure that assistance isn’t sent unnecessarily.
The next response varies depending on the service and situation. Sometimes emergency services will be contacted to provide immediate assistance. Other times, family members or neighbors may be contacted instead.
It’s important to be aware of the limits here. Fall detection often costs more and the approach isn’t 100% reliable. Devices can miss a fall or think one has occurred when it hasn’t.
Water Resistance
Medical alert necklaces may be water resistant, allowing seniors to wear them in the shower.
This is a powerful feature, as the wet surfaces in a shower can easily lead to falls. If the senior does fall and can’t get back up, they need an alert button they can rely on.
Monitored vs Unmonitored Medical Alert Necklaces
As discussed earlier, monitored medical alert systems connect the senior through to a support team that can then assist in their needs. Such systems often include two-way voice communication, so that staff and seniors can talk to one another.
In contrast, unmonitored systems connect directly to emergency services or to emergency contacts (such as family).
Unmonitored systems are often much cheaper, but they’re not nearly as powerful. For example, emergency contacts might miss the notification and having emergency services suddenly turn up without context can sometimes make things worse.
Because of this, unmonitored devices are best for situations where the risk of an emergency is low or for when money is very tight.
Our Favorite Medical Alert Necklaces For Seniors
MobileHelp
The Short Answer: MobileHelp has a variety of products, including a simple push button necklace, a more comprehensive version, and at-home units. The basic version is fairly affordable, but you’ll pay extra for fall detection and miss out on some valuable features.
MobileHelp is one of the most comprehensive medical alert systems out there, with reliable products and plenty of options.
Many of the systems include a medical alert necklace that seniors can press in the case of an emergency. Information is then sent to the company’s MobileHelp Response Center, where a Personal Response Associate has a conversation with the senior via their device. Needs are assessed during this conversation, then the appropriate support is sent out.
Response center staff are highly qualified, trained, and based in the United States. The monitoring services come through Rapid Response Monitoring, which is a specialized company that works with a variety of medical alert services and security companies. They have a stellar reputation, allowing them to support your loved ones well.
Here are their main products:
- MobileHelp Micro. A small and light handheld button that is water resistant and can be worn as a necklace. This starts at $39.95 per month.
- MobileHelp Solo. A slightly larger device that has a mobile unit, a waterproof help button, and a home unit. The two-way communication appears to be only available on the larger device, not the waterproof button. This version starts at $41.95 per month.
- MobileHelp Duo. This more comprehensive set includes a home base unit, a mobile unit, and a waterproof shower button, starting at $46.95 per month.
- MobileHelp Touch Duo. This version starts at $54.95 per month. It’s similar to the previous example, except that it uses a touch screen to engage with the system and gives you more options.
- Mobile Duo. This starts at $49.95 per month and provides two wearable help buttons and a shower button. This could be helpful if there are two seniors in the house or as a way to ensure that one button is always charged.
- MobileHelp Classic, MobileHelp Wired Home, & MobileHelp Touch Classic. These are all at-home systems that are paired with a waterproof alert button.
Crucially, MobileHelp offers two types of Medical Alert necklaces. One is relatively large and has two-way communication. The other is smaller and waterproof. It doesn’t appear to have GPS or two-way communication, so it isn’t nearly as powerful.
Other services and benefits:
- Free lockbox. This is used to safely store a key to the senior’s house outside, that way emergency services or other responders can gain entry without breaking the door down.
- Fall detection. A fall detection service can be added for $11 per month.
- MobileHelp Connect Premium. This costs an extra $6 a month and is mostly an insurance program that means you don’t need to pay replacement fees if equipment gets lost or damaged. The service also provides extra location detection pings and discounts on various services.
Medical Guardian
The Short Answer: Medical Guardian has some fantastic products and reliable support. However, the prices are on the high side, especially as many extra features come with a monthly fee.
Medical Guardian is another big player in the medical alert services field. Their system uses both AT&T and Verizon cellular networks, so most people should have coverage.
Their emergency monitoring center is based in the United States as well and offers 24/7 support. Their website also makes it easy to compare their products and see which ones work for you. The company also has services that help caregivers support their loved ones, including a customer care portal called MyGuardian.
Their main products:
- Mini Guardian. This necklace offers two-way communication, location tracking, and continuous monitoring. It is also water resistant and has a five-day battery life. It starts at $44.95 per month.
- Mobile 2.0. This device can clip onto clothing and can be synced with either a necklace or a wristband. It starts at $44.95 per month. However, you need to pay an extra $2.99 per month for a pendant to go with it or $10 per month for a fall detection pendant.
- Home 2.0. This is a home-based system that starts at $37.95 per month. This time the necklace and wristband are included in the monthly fee. Because this is a simpler home-based device, it doesn’t include two-way communication or GPS. Communication is only possible through the base unit.
- Classic Guardian. This is a simpler version of the previous system and is similarly designed for home use. It starts at $29.95 per month, making it the cheapest option from Medical Guardian.
- MGMove. This is a smartwatch that we’ve reviewed elsewhere. It has a ton of features, including an emergency alert button. However, it doesn’t have fall detection features and may be too complicated for some seniors. It starts at $39.95 per month.
Medical Guardian offers some other services and benefits, although most of these cost. The availability is also influenced by the type of device you choose. Here are the main ones:
- OnGuard Alerts (for $2.99 per month). Provides loved ones with real-time updates during an emergency.
- Support Circle Apps (for $5 per month). This add-on is for smart devices and provides extra functionality.
- Lockbox (for $2.99 per month). Allows emergency services to easily and security access the home.
- Fall Detection (for $10 per month).
- MG Protection Plan (for $6.99 per month). This acts as insurance, so you don’t need to pay for replacement products (in most situations). You also receive discounts and tech support.
The most frustrating thing is that add-ons all come with a monthly fee. This is even true if you need extra physical products, like a wall button or pendant. These monthly fees add up quickly.
Lifefone
The Short Answer: Lifefone has some interesting products, including some with two-way communication. However, they’re not very up-front about pricing
Like most companies, Lifefone offers an at-home and an on-the-go system. Their products will also look familiar, as they follow similar styles to others we’ve featured.
Here are the main ones:
- At-Home (Landline or Cellular): These products both offer a watch and pendant, plus an at-home system for two-way communication. The landline version costs $24.95 per month and the cellular one costs $30.95 instead.
- VIPx Pendant. VIPx stands for voice-in-pendant – a reference to the two-way communication style. This small pendant is also water resistant, has GPS functionality, and comes with optional fall detection for $5 a month. There’s also an optional caregiver app for $8/month. The device itself costs $41.95 per month.
- VIP Active. This pendant has many of the same functions as the previous example, just with a different design. However, it doesn’t have access to a caregiver app and has a shorter battery life. It costs $39.95 per month.
- Smartwatch Active. If you don’t like the pendant style, this smartwatch could be a good way to go. This one costs $45.95 per month on an annual plan and comes with optional fall detection and location request, plus regular smartwatch features. Unfortunately, it only has a 24 hour battery life.
Importantly, the prices given here are for the annual plan. Lifefone isn’t up-front about the costs for paying month-to-month.
There are a few interesting extra services. Again, the availability varies depending on the device you choose.
- Fall Detection (for $5 per month)
- Caregiver App (for $8 per month). This provides you with important information, like the senior’s location, their steps per day, and the battery level of the device.
- Activity Assurance (for $6 per month). This works with the in-home systems. An alarm is set each day that the subscriber needs to turn off within 15 minutes. If they don’t, then a notification goes through to customer care and assistance is sent if the senior continues to not respond.
- Daily Check In Call (for $19 per month). This provides a call at a set time each day, which can be used for medication management, a general check in, or something else.
- Medication Reminders (for $6 per month). These reminders can be uploaded onto the at-home system via a caregiver portal and will then sound regularly. Alternatively, you could simply buy a medication management device, as your own device won’t come with a monthly fee.
Bay Alarm Medical
The Short Answer: Bay Alarm Medical has fewer products and extra services than other companies. Still, they’re an inexpensive service and a great choice if money is tight.
Finally, we have Bay Alarm Medical. They also offer a 24/7 monitoring service, where all staff members are based in the United States.
Bay Alarm Medical is a little simpler than the other companies we’ve featured, as they just have four products (honestly though, that’s all you need).
- SOS Home. This is a home-based system, which comes with a base unit and a wearable button. The button can be attached to a wristband or a necklace. This one costs from $24.95 per month.
- SOS All-In-One. From $39.95 per month. This option is designed to provide support at home and while you’re out. It includes an SOS All-In-One device and a wearable button. The SOS device has a two-way speaker, GPS, and optional fall protection, while the wearable button is simpler.
- SOS Mobile. From $29.95 per month. This device can be clipped onto a belt or worn on a lanyard. It’s similar to the All-In-One device from above, except that you don’t get an extra button.
- SOS Smartwatch. This is a fairly simple smart watch, which makes it excellent for seniors. It has two-way communication and can include fall detection. It costs from $34.95 per month.
There aren’t many extra services with Bay Alarm Medical. The main one is caregiving tracking. This allows caregivers to keep an eye on where their loved ones are. It’s a free download for compatible device, rather than something you need to pay for.
Fall detection is an extra service too, costing $10 per month.
Other Things To Consider
Coverage
This coverage normally comes through a cellular network, like Verizon or AT&T. You’ll need to check which mobile provider the company uses and whether that provider has decent coverage in your area.
The Features You Need
Also think about which features you actually need to keep your loved one safe.
Some at-home systems come loaded with features, perhaps even allowing you to set medication reminders and set up motion detection systems. However, extra features tend to increase the monthly price.
These features are fantastic if you actually need them. But, there’s little point paying for them if you’re not using them.
Fall detection is a good example here, as you’re paying extra for the service and it can return false positives and false negatives. The service is most relevant if there’s a decent risk that the senior falls and loses consciousness. In that situation, fall detection features could save their life.
But, if fall risk is low, this service might not be worth the fee.
The Pricing
Companies often aren’t as clear as they could be with pricing. So, for any new service, make sure you understand exactly what the initial price is, along with month-to-month fees.
Pay particular attention to any discounts, as these could be time-limited. For example, you might receive a year of discounted service when you first sign up. After that year, the price would quickly jump back up to its original level. The change might be quite a shock if you didn’t expect it.
Think about the duration of your plan too, as most companies provide discounts for longer-term plans. For example, you might pay $39.95 per month if you pay monthly, but $32.95 per month if you pay annually instead.
Still, this doesn’t mean the longer term is always better. You might want to start with a month or two to see whether the system does what you hope it will.
How The System Is Used And Installed
Systems vary in their function and how they’re installed. Many will have an at-home base unit for when seniors are in the home, plus a mobile setup for when they are away from home. However, some will only focus on the at-home system.
It’s important to consider whether the style suits what you need.
Battery Life
Battery life varies between products. You’ll often get 2-3 days per charge and some last even longer. However, some products (particularly smartwatches) only last 24 hours or so.
Battery life won’t be a big issue for many seniors, as the batteries can easily be recharged. Still… seniors with memory issues or who do not understand technology may struggle. In those cases, adult children may need to help charge the device regularly (a longer battery life could help with this process).
Benefits of Medical Alert Necklaces
- Fast Access To Help. Medical alert devices allow seniors to access support with just the push of a button. This is fantastic in so many situations and can literally save their lives.
- Increased Independence. By providing fast access to support, medical alert devices can help seniors live on their own for longer (which is also a good argument if you’re trying to convince a senior to use one).
- Peace of Mind. Even if the senior never actually has an emergency, medical alert necklaces provide their family with peace of mind. Adult children should be able to check in less often and trust that the senior is safe.
Limits of Medical Alert Necklaces
- Not Everyone Can Use Them. Some physical limitations make wearing a medical alert necklace difficult or unwise. For example, seniors with cognitive challenges may be at risk of choking when wearing a necklace.
- Some Seniors Are Resistant. Stubborn seniors may be completely unwilling to wear this type of device. Others may wear it sometimes, but remove it on occasions where wearing it doesn’t feel ‘necessary’.
- They’re Expensive. Finances are often tight for seniors and caregivers. Some families simply won’t be able to pay $20 to $50 every month (plus any equipment fees and extra services) or will have more powerful uses for that money.
- It Can Be Hard To Find The Right One. Available features vary from product to product and it’s sometimes hard to get a good match. For example, some companies have a simple button that’s waterproof, while only their non-waterproof device has two-way communication and GPS.
- They Need To Be Charged. Medical alert necklaces all need to be charged regularly. Seniors with memory issues may need someone to assist to make sure the device actually gets charged when it should.
Final Thoughts
Medical alert necklaces for seniors come with many benefits, providing easy access to help, right when it is needed the most. The necklaces are especially powerful for seniors who live alone – as the senior doesn’t need to rely on a phone to call for help.
The GPS features also make these devices fantastic away from home. They allow seniors to be easily located in the case of an emergency or simply if they get lost. The response time is also impressive, with many services connecting with the senior in less than a minute.
Still, these tools don’t work well for every family. Sometimes they’re simply too expensive, particularly as the necklaces are only relevant if there’s an emergency.
You might also be able to protect the senior better by spending the same money in a different way. In particular, you might focus on home changes, like installing grab bars or hiring an in-home caregiver for a few hours, in order to reduce the risk of falls.
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