Oroville Mercury-Register

The best life alert devices for seniors in 2023

- By Kire Stojkovski M.D. and Daniel Boyer M.D.

Elderly and vulnerable individual­s are at increased risk of experienci­ng an injury or accident, especially when alone. Protect your loved one with the best medical alert systems. These devices restore a measure of independen­ce by improving response time if an emergency should occur.

MobileHelp

Our top-reviewed medical alert systems all have excellent qualities and features. MobileHelp stands out as the winner due to the wide range of affordable options.

From in-home devices to portable options, MobileHelp is one of the best medical alert systems you can buy without the need for a landline.

Plans are low-cost and start at just $19.95 per month, plus $10 for fall detection. Choose your payment plan from monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually. Discounts are available when you select a longer-term plan.

Choose a plan that uses your existing landline, or opt for a cellular connection through AT&T or GPS service. There are wearable options, wall buttons, and base stations. The in-home devices have a range of up to 1,400 feet. MobileHelp is unique in offering a touchscree­n tablet option complete with a video camera.

Several features make MobileHelp an excellent choice. It has fall detection, location tracking, and medication reminders available for an additional per-month fee. Use the telehealth services for $9.95 per month. No insurance is needed, and there are no co-payments.

The Rapid Response medical alert monitoring center has bilingual operators. They also utilize an interpreta­tion service that has over 240 languages to choose from.

Medical alert monitoring is provided in English or Spanish by Rapid Response and uses AT&T. If an alert is received and the user doesn’t respond, an operator automatica­lly dispatches emergency services.

With MobileHelp, you are not required to purchase any equipment or commit to a long-term contract. Their plans are affordable, ranging from $19.95 to $59.45 per month, and don’t have additional fees for in-home systems using a cellular plan. Fall detection costs an extra $10 per month.

Affordable options and a large selection of devices and plans make MobileHelp an excellent choice for anyone who requires a medical alert system. Extra features such as fall detection, a mobile app, and optional telehealth enhance any plan and provide greater wellness monitoring and protection.

LifeFone

LifeFone is an affordable medical alert system that starts at just $29.95, with a range of up to 1,300 feet. You can choose from monthly, quarterly, or annual payment plans and try it at no obligation with a 30-day free trial. If you decide to cancel, any prepaid time is prorated and refunded to you.

There are five devices and plans to choose from and a convenient smartphone app called Mobile Alert. The app connects you to the call center and can even act as a virtual escort service when users feel unsafe. This unique app makes it easy to access medical alert services anywhere, independen­t of other devices and systems.

Another benefit of this medical alert system is the option to monitor a spouse or other individual who resides in the home. Get all the benefits at no additional cost. Take advantage of all the features and benefits of a LifeFone device monitoring plan, or choose an unmonitore­d option.

Devices equipped for twoway communicat­ion allow the user to press the button and speak with a caregiver or 911 to request help without needing a subscripti­on service that includes 24/7 monitoring. Remember that an unmonitore­d plan does not include fall detection and may not be suitable for all users.

LifeFone is an excellent choice for a basic communicat­ion system that allows the user to call for help at the push of a button without paying for additional features such as fall detection. If you prefer a plan with more options and inclusions, there are in-home, on-the-go, or combinatio­n packages.

Medical Guardian

The Medical Guardian devices are some of the top medical alert systems because of the range of devices and features they offer. Keep it simple with a basic plan, or opt for a combinatio­n of devices and addons.

You can customize your plan by adding all the additional features and devices you need to create the safest system possible. These include wireless or voice-activated wall buttons, fall detection, and a lockbox. OnGuard alerts are priced at $2.99 per month and send text and email notificati­ons to your selected contacts in the event of an emergency.

On-the-go devices are equipped with GPS to track the user’s location. The inhome monitoring range is up to 1,400 feet. Devices have an extended battery life of up to 168 hours, so you don’t need to worry about your device failing when you need it.

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