There are two key aspects to medical alert systems: there’s the equipment consisting of the system itself, and there is the optional but equally important monitoring service. The key part of every medical alert system is the help button, which is typically worn around your neck as a pendant or on the wrist as a bracelet in the same way that you might wear a wristwatch. A good quality medical alert button is lightweight and waterproof so that it can be worn in the shower and is activated with a single press of the button to send a signal to the medical monitoring center.
In most cases the button is wirelessly connected to a central home station that has a limited range – usually covering the house and the garden – but there are also innovative solutions where the two are fused together for easier portability. In this case there is no central unit, and the button itself is the only piece of hardware that is needed.
When the base station receives the help button’s alert, it signals the monitoring center, whereupon the agent calls the user through alert the button if it boasts two-way communication, or through the base station. A standard medical alert button features just a button, while innovative new buttons are more fleshed out and also signal falls, setting off the alarm automatically.
Mobile Alert Buttons
There are on-the-go stations and mobile buttons that also take on the role of the central unit. These wireless systems eliminate the need for a phone line in the house to connect with the medical alert monitoring center since they work over a cellular network. Additionally many of these systems boast GPS tracking, making it easy for the monitoring staff and family members to find the location of their loved one in case the person was disorientated and got lost. At the same time the elderly person can enjoy absolute freedom in the knowledge that help is always just a button press away.
Fall Detection Buttons
There are also fall detection buttons that activate the moment a fall occurs, meaning it won’t be necessary for the wearer to manually set off the alarm by pushing the button. This lifesaver guarantees that help will be sent in the case of an emergency, even if the wearer is unconscious or otherwise unable to activate the alarm button.
Professional Medical Monitoring Service
But medical alert systems aren’t just about the device. When choosing the system you are asked to subscribe to the medical alert company’s monitoring service. The length of the commitment varies, ranging from month-to-month subscriptions to quarterly, semi-annual or annual plans. The subscription fee is charged on a monthly basis, but the overall length of the commitment heavily influences the price – the longer the subscription, the lower the fee. This is called the monitoring fee, since you pay for the privilege to contact the company’s professional monitoring team who will assess the emergency situation and dispatch help on the user’s behalf, saving time and energy for the aging residents – and removes any worry for all parties that the user will be cared for should the worst happen.
Best Medical Alert Systems of 2023
| Rank | Company | Info | Visit |
1 | Editor's Choice 2023 | ||
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3 |  |
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- Bay Alarm Medical FAQ
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