Should you get a medical alert system? We asked an expert
Medical alert systems can connect you with help at home and on the go.
Bay Alarm Medical SOS All-In-One 2 with Fall Detection
$undefined
$44.95
Medical alert systems allow people to quickly connect with medical help, says Dr. Christopher Gold, an internal medicine physician and assistant professor of medicine at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai West.
They’re typically a home console, pendant or wristband with built-in speakers and microphones that connect to a trained operator when activated. The operator can assess the situation and decide whether to call emergency services, notify family members or both, says Gold.
Medical alert systems can provide extra security for older adults, people living alone or anyone prone to falls, and can increase their sense of autonomy and security, says Gold. “Most importantly, it reduces the risk of someone being left on the floor for hours and gives both the individual and their loved ones peace of mind that support is always within reach,” says Gold.
Medical alert systems vary in size, shape and complexity. We selected options keeping the following advice in mind:
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Our top picks come from brands like Bay Alarm Medical and Lifefone. We list technical details and features under the “What to know” dropdown below each product recommendation.
This system from Bay Alarm Medical is a great option for more active people who are out and about often. The main alert device, the SOS All-in-One 2, is about as big as a wireless earbud charging case, and can be used at home or on the go. It connects to AT&T’s cellular network (like a smartphone), has built-in GPS, is IP67 dust and waterproof and gets up to 72 hours of battery life on a single charge. It syncs with the Bay Alarm Medical app, and caregivers can check live location and location history.
The version linked above also comes with automatic fall detection and a wearable button, so you can activate the main device from a necklace or wristband.
At-home medical alert systems tend to be more affordable than on-the-go ones. Case and point: this option from Lifefone has the lowest fees of all our recommendations. It comes with a base unit and a help button that works up to 1,300 feet away from the unit. Pressing either will place a call to Lifefone’s operators, but only the base station has two-way speakers to communicate on.
This version works off AT&T cellular service — anyone with spotty coverage could also consider the landline version.
This is a smartwatch-like medical alert system you wear on your wrist. It uses cellular and GPS connectivity and has two-way speakers built in, meaning you can use it wherever you go, not just around the house. It also has a built-in heart rate monitor and step-tracking, similar to a fitness tracker. Similar to those devices, though, it needs to be charged often.
Medical alert systems are well-suited to anyone living alone, especially those who are at higher risk for falls or have medical conditions that require urgent help, says Gold. Think older adults, those with disabilities, people recovering from surgery and folks with chronic medical conditions. Medical alert systems can give you more independence and autonomy without risking a medical emergency with no one else nearby, and it can give caregivers peace of mind.
It can be difficult to talk to a family member about setting up a medical alert system. Some people can see them as a loss of independence or a reminder of the negative aspects of aging or frailty, says Gold.
It’s important to remember that these devices can actually do the opposite — they can help people maintain their independence safely, and provide peace of mind and reliable emergency support.
If you’re picking a medical alert system for someone else, bring them in the process — letting them select the device they want to use can help them embrace the change, says Gold.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a reporter at NBC Select who covers health, technology and fitness including stories on over-the-counter hearing aids, air purifiers and fitness trackers. For this piece, I spoke with a medical professional to better understand medical alert systems, including how they work and their potential benefits.
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