- For many folks, their only experience
with medical alert systems
is that iconic commercial from the '80s.
But a lot has changed since that famous ad
hit daytime cable.
Life Alert is only one
of many brands that offer medical alert care for seniors,
and many more have updated their techs since the '80s.
These days, you can find systems
with automatic fall detection, wearable GPS, Bluetooth,
and apps for caregivers.
Some even come as smart watches or have stylish covers
that make medical wearables feel less medical.
So how do modern medical alert systems work,
and what's out there?
Today, I'll be diving into just that.
So, stick around.
Back when those infamous commercials aired,
there was only one type
of medical alert system and it needed a landline to work.
Those same models are still around,
but now you can swap out the landline
for a cellular connection
or a GPS unit that you can take with you anywhere.
Both types work for the same scenarios.
Say for example, Mom and Dad falls and can't get up.
All they have to do is press that button,
whether it's the one they're wearing or one on the wall.
The biggest difference between GPS
and in-home systems all boils down to equipment and range.
In-home systems are exactly what they sound like,
medical alert systems meant to be used at home.
The central hub has a speaker
and a large button that connects to your landline
or a cell signal to reach the monitoring center.
But the range on these systems caps off around 1300 feet,
so you may need additional buttons
for farther areas in your home.
If your loved one lives alone and doesn't leave home often,
this kind of system could be a good fit.
GPS Medical Alert systems
are where modern tech really shines.
Thanks to advances in GPS, cellular signals,
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth,
we're able to take these medical alert systems out
of the house, out of town, and even out of the country,
and all of this helps first responders find them faster
in case of an emergency.
If Mom or Dad has an accident away from home,
EMS can use all
of this tech to pinpoint their location and help them out.
GPS systems are a good fit
for active seniors who travel, run errands,
and keep full agendas year round, plus they tend to come
in sleeker packages like smartwatches.
These also have companion apps for caregivers
that alert you to when your loved one has pressed a button.
So you and the monitoring center are contacted immediately
in case of an emergency.
Knowing you and your family has an extra layer
of protection can go a long way,
so how much could you expect to pay for systems like these?
Medical alert systems come with upfront equipment costs
and monthly monitoring costs, and there's quite a range.
The upfront equipment costs can range
between absolutely free to up to $200 for gear alone.
Bay Alarm Medical, Medical Guardian
and LifeNet are a few examples
of those that offer at-home systems for free.
As for monitoring,
our favorite brands charge around $20 to $30 per month,
but we've seen rates as high as $70.
While you can't really put a price
on your loved one's safety,
cost is still a factor for many families.
But the most important factor is finding a system
that your loved one will use.
So, how do you find that perfect fit?
When looking for a medical alert system,
here are a few things to consider:
activity level, tech fluency,
monthly cost, and comfort with wearables.
If mom and dad are still active and independent,
but they've had accidents in the past,
a modern GPS-based solution might be the right answer.
These tend to be a little more advanced
and have a wider range,
but for seniors who only need a device in case
of an emergency at home, the older models might be enough.
There are also those with caregiver features,
like setting medication reminders, sending direct messages,
and ways to find your loved one in an emergency.
We have a ton of resources
for seniors and caregivers on safewise.com,
so check out the description to get started.
We also have reviews for some
of our favorite systems that we've linked down below too.
If this was helpful, drop a comment below,
and if it wasn't helpful, drop a comment below.
Thanks for watching and stay safe.
Thanks for watching.
And if you want more safety,
head over to safewise.com and you can find reviews
and our lineups of best home security systems,
best wireless cameras, and more.
Stay safe.