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Last Updated: Mar 2024

Top Medical Alert Systems with Fall Detection
Emergency services notified within seconds

Fall detection sends help when a loved one falls, even if they can't press the button themselves. Compare the top devices with fall detection below.

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Our Best Medical Alert System

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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.

We find the 10 best options, so you can make informed decisions on tons of products and services.

*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.


Who Needs a Fall Detection Sensor?

Fall detection sensors are meant for people—usually seniors—who suffer from illness, fatigue, or certain illnesses which make them prone to falls. In some cases, such a device can even mean the difference between life and death, especially for seniors who live alone and would otherwise have no way to call for help in the event of a fall.

Why Get Fall Detection?

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury or death among older adults. A fall can result in bruises, fractures, and head trauma which can drastically affect an elderly person’s mobility and independence—especially if help doesn’t come quickly. Even if the injury isn’t grave, trepidation about a further fall can cause people to cut down their physical activity and their quality of life can suffer.

How Does it Work?

Fall detection devices use state-of-the-art technology to gauge your movements and your body, in order to detect sudden movement that would indicate a fall. Most of these devices will have a window of time—usually around 30 seconds—in which the device will be monitored after a fall. If the device doesn’t move in those 30 seconds, the device will determine that the wearer fell and send for help.

Some devices will also include a “kill switch” of sorts, which will send an announcement when the system detects a fall, giving you the chance to cancel the emergency call, thus cutting down on false alarms. Many devices will also have an operator call the system to speak to the wearer to determine if they fell. If there is no response, help is dispatched.

How Much do Fall Detection Devices Cost?

Fall detection devices typically cost around $40 per month on their own. A better deal is to purchase a comprehensive medical alert system, which usually costs around $35-40 per month and offers fall detection as an added option, usually for around $10 more per month.

Help is Near

The “golden years” are blessed, but they are often marked by illness and a greater vulnerability to injury. A fall detection device is one of the best ways to ensure that your loved one has an extra layer of protection, a security blanket of sorts so that if an accident strikes, help won’t be far away. These devices can also be affordable, so take a few minutes to look around, and find the fall detector you feel comfortable with.

Our Top 3 Picks

  • 1
    Medical Guardian

    Medical Guardian

    • Best forExceptional customer service
    • Monthly price$29.95-$44.95
    • Trial periodNo

    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.

    Pros
    • No contracts or hidden fees
    • Offers automatic emergency response in case of a fall
    • Long-lasting battery life—up to 168 hours
    Cons
    • No free trials
    • Some services require add-on purchases
  • 2
    MobileHelp

    MobileHelp

    • Best forQuick response times
    • Monthly price$24.95-$64.95
    • Trial periodYes

    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.

    Pros
    • Quick response times (1-15 seconds on average)
    • Free 30-day trial period
    • Access to telehealthcare features
    Cons
    • Charges processing fees for some systems
    • Lost or damaged equipment may incur a fee
  • 3
    ADT Health

    ADT Health

    • Best for150 years' expert emergency response
    • Monthly price$29.99-$39.99
    • Trial periodNo

    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.

    Pros
    • Monthly costs are guaranteed not to increase
    • Free shipping, activation, and equipment
    • Offers a six-month money-back guarantee
    Cons
    • Home base units have a limited range
    • No daily check-in service