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Stepping Out in Style: Medical Alert Buttons Are Changing the Game for Seniors
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.
Who Are Medical Alert Buttons Best For?
While they can be worn by anyone, medical alert buttons are ideally suited for two main use cases:
The Elderly
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.
People With a Serious Medical Condition or Disabilities
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.
What Should I Look Out For When Buying Medical Alert Buttons?
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:
- Stylish design to encourage wearing
- WiFi connection
- Easy to use format
- Loud alert siren
- Long battery life
- Fall detection
- GPS location services
Our Top 3 Picks
- 1
Reasonably-priced medical alert sytems- Best for - Exceptional customer service
- Monthly price - $31.95-$46.95
- Trial period - No
Reasonably-priced medical alert sytemsDescriptionRead Medical Guardian ReviewMedical 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.
Pros & ConsMedical Guardian Pros & Cons
PROS
No contracts or hidden feesOffers automatic emergency response in case of a fallLong-lasting battery life—up to 168 hoursCONS
No free trialsSome services require add-on purchases - 2
Versatile medical alert monitoring solutions- Best for - Quick response times
- Monthly price - $24.95-$64.95
- Trial period - Yes
Versatile medical alert monitoring solutionsDescriptionRead MobileHelp ReviewWith 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.
Pros & ConsMobileHelp Pros & Cons
PROS
Quick response times (1-15 seconds on average)Free 30-day trial periodAccess to telehealthcare featuresCONS
Charges processing fees for some systemsLost or damaged equipment may incur a fee - 3
Product highlight: Full-spectrum support- Best for - Those with a network of family and caretakers
- Monthly price - $25.95
- Trial period - 30-day money-back guarantee
Product highlight: Full-spectrum supportDescriptionRead LifeStation ReviewLifeStation’s equipment is matched by its live, 24/7 monitoring team, allowing users peace of mind at both ends of any emergency. Operators are certified by the CSAA and have undergone 6 weeks of training to ensure responsiveness. Working out of UL-listed monitoring centers, they are thoroughly equipped to handle emergencies with timeliness, responsibility, and compassion.
As for the equipment itself, LifeStation’s medical alert systems have a field range of up to 500 feet, and standby battery that lasts around 32 hours. The console is equipped with a speaker phone with voice-to-voice communication, as well as waterproof buttons and, no less impressive, an automatic test feature programmed to send weekly check-ins to the monitoring center to ensure the system is functioning properly.
LifeStation offers landline alert systems as well as mobile equipment with GPS and fall detection features, though fall detection costs extra. Each client will have a personalized emergency plan with prioritized emergency contacts built in, and can opt to have additional emails sent to caregivers in the event of an emergency, weekly test, or service issue.
Pros & ConsLifeStation Pros & Cons
PROS
Live CSAA-certified monitoring teamAutomatic service tests every week5,000-foot field rangeCONS
Need to pay more for fall detectionBulky pendant
