As people age, they often experience a loss of mobility and balance, and that can put them at risk of suffering a life-threatening fall. According to the Centers for Disease Control, one in four adults aged 65 and older falls each year, and falls are a leading cause of death among seniors. About 20% of all falls lead to serious injuries such as fractures and brain damage, and once a senior has fallen, their odds of falling again are doubled.
Thankfully, there’s now a number of affordable, user-friendly medical alert systems with fall detection available. While these systems can’t prevent falls, they can ensure that seniors can call for help quickly, even if they’re unable to reach a phone or speak to an emergency operator. This review covers the MobileHelp Duo with Fall Button medical alert system, a two-in-one medical alert system that works at home and in the community.
What You Should Know About the MobileHelp Duo With Fall Button Medical Alert System
MobileHelp Duo with Fall Button is a two-in-one medical alert system that includes an in-home base unit, a wearable medical alert button and a pocket-sized mobile unit equipped with a speakerphone, help button, GPS location tracker and cellular SIM card.
The base unit is also connected to the AT&T nationwide mobile network, so there’s no need to have a landline phone in order to use the MobileHelp Duo. To trigger a call for help, users simply need to press their wearable help button within 1400 feet of the base unit or close to the mobile unit. This activates a call to the MobileHelp monitoring center, and highly trained emergency operators will commence a two-way conversation with the caller over the speakerphone.
MobileHelp Duo with Fall Button also includes GPS location tracking in the mobile unit, a feature that allows emergency operators to identify the exact location of a caller in an emergency. This feature can help ensure assistance arrives quickly, even if the caller is unsure where they are or unable to speak.
Subscribers can add an optional fall detection pendant to their system for an additional fee. The fall detection pendant includes sensors that trigger a call to the emergency monitoring center when the wearer experiences a sudden fall.
MobileHelp Duo With Fall Button Plans and Pricing
As with all MobileHelp medical alert systems, pricing for the MobileHelp Duo includes the use of all the necessary medical alert system hardware and service on the AT&T wireless network. There are no additional cellular fees or equipment costs.
Subscription plans are available on a monthly ($41.,95), quarterly ($119.85), semiannual ($4221.70) and annual ($444.40) basis. Month-to-month subscribers are charged a one-time $49.95 activation fee in addition to their monthly fee, and fall detection costs an additional $10 per month on all plans.
A pin-protected lockbox is available for $29.95 per month on monthly and quarterly plans and is included on semiannual and annual plans. Subscribers can also add wireless waterproof wall-mounted help buttons for $2.95 per month on all plans.
Pros and Cons of the MobileHelp Duo With Fall Button
Before subscribing to any medical alert system, purchasers should take the time to consider the pros and cons of each device, company and service.
Pros:
- Nationwide coverage on the AT&T wireless network
- No landline phone needed
- GPS location tracking
- U.S.-based monitoring with service in English and Spanish
- Range of up to 1400 feet between in-home base unit and help button
- Choice of wrist-mounted or pendant-style help button (not compatible with fall detection feature)
- Upgradeable to a fall detection help pendant for an additional $10 per month
- Independent mobile unit or in combination with a wearable help button
- No long-term contracts
- Free lockbox with semiannual and annual plans
- 30-hour backup battery life in base unit
- Cradle-style charger for mobile unit with LED status indicator lights
Cons:
- Fall detection isn’t included; it costs an extra $10 per month.
- There’s no option to add a second user to the system.
- Monthly subscribers are charged a one-time fee of $49.95.
- The mobile unit must be recharged regularly.
- There’s no price lock guarantee, so subscription fees may increase at any time.
