Natural Intelligence does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or your local emergency number immediately.
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*Requires a month-to-month agreement with Medical Alert Plus or On-The-Go Emergency Response Systems. First month monitoring due at time of purchase. Excludes taxes. Offer excludes professional installation which may be available upon request for an additional fee. An ADT Medical Alert system is not an intrusion detection system or medical device; ADT is not a ‘911’ emergency medical response service and does not provide medical advice, which should be obtained from qualified medical personnel. Fall Detection monitoring service is only available with Medical Alert Plus and On-The-Go Emergency Response systems. Digital cellular service not available everywhere or at all times. The On-The-Go emergency system and services use and rely on the availability of cellular network coverage and the availability of global positioning system (GPS) data to operate properly. The GPS is not operated by ADT. Prices subject to change. Systems remain property of ADT. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts and is available for new customers only. Promotion is limited to one (1) discounted Fall Detection Pendant only. No termination fees. 2-day shipping delivery Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday delivery are not available. 2-Day shipping valued at $9.99; free activation valued at $29; Fall Detection valued at $11/mo. before promotion is applied. Offer availability 1/1/2024 – 3/31/2024.
@2024 ADT. All rights reserved. The product/service names listed in this document are marks and/or registered of their respective owners and used under license. Unauthorized use strictly prohibited.
†Fall detection pendant does not detect 100% of falls.
As technology continues to advance, so do the ways that it can enhance, enrich, and extend our lives. One area where this is becoming ever more apparent is in the medical alerts field. With the introduction of medical alert buttons, people are discovering new possibilities opening up for themselves all the time.
Medical alert buttons are smart devices that combine the convenience and attractiveness of a pendant or wristwatch with the life-saving service of a medical alert system. Aside from the obvious connection to medical aid, they come with important features like mobile GPS and fitness tracking.
While they can be worn by anyone, medical alert buttons are ideally suited for two main use cases:
Senior citizens have to deal with a lot of frustrations in their day-to-day life, including limited physical mobility, discomfort, and loneliness. But a medical alert button can alleviate at least some of these problems. These devices allow seniors the ability to get out, go places, and do things without the fear of getting lost or being injured and left helpless.
With a medical alert button, an elderly person can immediately get help in case they need it, either because they’ve fallen and can’t get up, are injured in some other way, or have become disoriented and can’t find their way home.
Using this smart device, seniors can now maintain a level of independence that gives them a new lease on life. They can go shopping, run errands, and go to local senior centers. The added social aspect of having the ability to visit friends, relatives, or other seniors also significantly contributes to their overall morale, staving off loneliness.
The benefit of using a modern medical alert button, as opposed to a more standard pendant medical alert, is in the aesthetics. While some seniors may require assistance from time to time, many of them still want to hold on to their independence...and dignity. For them, this means not having a “babysitting tool” strapped to their body at all times. A medical alert sensor is more discreet, stylish, and functional, providing the peace of mind relatives need without robbing those in the golden age of their much-deserved respect.
And when something looks more attractive, even stubborn seniors will be more likely to wear these important medical devices.
In addition to the elderly, anyone with a serious medical condition or disability of some sort can also benefit from a medical alert button. If someone has a sudden attack that renders them immobile or severely limits their mobility, a medical alert button allows them to instantaneously call for help. They can then get the medical treatment they need right away. This is true for anyone and becomes even more relevant when you're dealing with children.
If you're in the market for a new medical alert system, medical alert buttons are a good one to consider. Look for some of these features to get the most out of your money:
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 MGMini Lite, a device perfect for active seniors. However, we didn't like that they asked for our contact details before sharing this recommendation.
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.
ADT Medical Alert has access to several US-based control centers and protects around six million users through their own monitoring centers. 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 Medical Alert: 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 Medical Alert 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.
