Medical Alert Systems Review

Everyone wants to grow old gracefully, and most people feel that this is more likely to happen in their homes than in a nursing facility. The problem is the veritable collision course that most homes create for anyone with limited mobility or diminished sight, or any number of physical changes that can come with age. The potential for falls and other medical emergencies for seniors who stay in their homes is high. Medical alert systems have offered one solution for the last 30 years or so by providing help at the touch of just one button. These systems create a layer of protection for your loved ones when you cannot be with them all of the time.

Basic medical alert systems are comprised of a console and a pendant with a button. In the case of a fall or other emergency, the person being monitored can push a large button on the console if they are close to it, or they can push the button on their pendant. That will send a call to a customer service representative who can then phone emergency contacts, depending on the situation, in an order predetermined by the customer.

Our favorite products in this category – Bay Alarm Medical, LifeFone and LifeStation – are stellar examples of the best medical alert systems with great features and service. We studied these companies and the others on our lineup for a comprehensive comparison. We also researched related topics for articles on medical alert systems that we think will interest you. 

Medical Alert Systems: What to Look For

In the crowded market of medical alert systems, the companies that stood out to us offer value by providing a great combination of features with excellent customer service. These companies have experience in the field and a good reputation. More specifically, we looked for the following features as we evaluated each of the medical alert systems in our review:

Installation
Installing the medical monitoring service should be hassle free. The base should connect to a standard telephone jack and power outlet, with no extra wiring necessary. Installation and set up should be free, as well as the delivery of the system itself. In addition, no activation fee, cancellation fee or long-term contract should be part of the service.

Monitoring Features
A quality medical monitoring service should come with both an alert console that features two-way communication and a help button necklace or wristband. Some help buttons are waterproof, and some can even be used to answer phone calls. A standby battery for the console should be provided in case of a power outage, and a lifetime warranty should also be part of the monitoring service. We also looked for multi-lingual answering services, and we checked whether the console includes a lighted help button. It's also important to be aware of the company's policies on calling your emergency contacts.

Additional Features
In addition to the console and pendant to keep loved ones safe, the best medical monitoring services offer other monitoring devices to add further protection no matter the circumstance. Some of the features we looked for include: Lock boxes (to store a house key intended for emergency responders), a GPS device to make it easy to find relatives no matter where they are, bathroom and hallway buttons, additional user buttons, voice extenders and fall detectors.

Company Information
It's important to consider the company behind the system when you're shopping for a medical monitoring service. We looked for in-house monitoring centers and made sure they are available 24 hours a day. We also made sure they are UL certified for safety measures, and we noted the number of years the company has been providing medical monitoring services. Online account access is also a factor we considered.

Customer Service
One of the most important things that medical alert systems can offer you and your loved one is caring customer service. If you cannot find someone friendly and helpful around the clock when you call these companies, you may as well stick with programming a few buttons on your cell phone for emergencies instead. In addition to 24-hour monitoring, 24-hour technical support should also be available in case you have any trouble with the unit. Monitoring services should also offer FAQs, a toll-free number and email support.

It can be overwhelming to compare medical monitoring services, but we gathered information on services that can provide everything you need to choose a superior monitoring service that you and your loved ones deserve. In our reviews, you'll find information on everything from waterproof pendants to fall detectors. Peace of mind is just a few easy steps away thanks to quality medical alert services.

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