Medical alert systems are a lifeline for elderly adults living alone. For disabled and handicapped seniors, these devices offer freedom and independence to go about daily life safe in the knowledge that assistance is a call or the press of a button away. Some providers allow users to upgrade to special services, such as GPS tracking or automatic fall detection. These additional features alert medical professionals to an accident even if the senior is unable to call for help.
With so many medical alert systems on the market, this guide will provide disabled seniors and their loved ones with the information they need to make an informed decision about the best medical alert systems to keep them protected in case of emergency.
The Best Medical Alert Systems For Disabled and Handicapped Seniors
Medical alert providers offer a range of options and add-ons to accommodate the needs of their customers. Below are the best three options for disabled and handicapped seniors looking for a medical alert system.
Medical Guardian
Medical Guardian offers a range of systems featuring waterproof pendants and wall-mounted buttons to motion sensors and GPS tracking. Disabled and handicapped seniors can choose the system and modify it with add-ons to best suit their needs.
In-home options start at $29.95 per month for the Classic Guardian rising to $79.95 for the Family Guardian system. Although the most expensive device in the range, Family Guardian has two motion sensors and a door sensor to monitor activity. This is popular with caregivers who receive alerts via an online portal or mobile app when irregular movement or inactivity is detected.
For disabled seniors who like to venture out, Medical Guardian has portable devices that use the AT&T cellular network, GPS technology and Wi-Fi signals for location tracking. Active Guardian comes with an all-in-one device featuring a two-way speaker that can be carried in a pocket or worn around the neck. Tech-savvy seniors may like the Freedom Guardian that uses a smartwatch-style device with voice-to-SMS messaging for easy communication.
Fall detection can be added to most of Medical Guardian’s systems for an additional $10 per month and voice-activated buttons are available for a monthly fee of $5, handy for those with reduced mobility.
MobileHelp
With medical alert systems starting from $19.95, MobileHelp is a great option for budget-conscious disabled seniors who still want the comfort of knowing they are protected should they fall.
Classic is an in-home system, so no landline is required. The waterproof help button is worn as a pendant, although wrist buttons can be ordered instead. To avoid paying a one-time setup fee of $49.95, elderly adults should choose quarterly or annual payment options.
MobileHelp Solo is designed to be used outdoors. The battery lasts 24 hours and seniors are protected wherever there’s cellular service. Solo costs £37.95 a month but seniors can save by signing up for longer-term plans.
For disabled and handicapped seniors who want peace of mind knowing they are protected both outdoors and at home, there’s the Duo system. For $41.95 a month, Duo combines both the Classic and Solo devices.
MobileHelp uses Rapid Response to route emergency calls, and U.S.-based operators are available 24/7, 365 days a year. PIN-protected boxes are provided as standard, giving EMS easy access to a home. Automatic fall detection is $10 per month, and medication scheduling is available for an additional fee.
Medical Care Alert
Medical Care Alert offers five medical alert systems ranging from $29.95 to $39.95. All operators within the company’s monitoring center hold EMT or EMD certification so are well prepared to deal with emergency situations, vital when disabled seniors contact them after a fall.
The Home system connects with a landline phone jack or is used with cellular service. Two waterproof emergency alert buttons are worn as either a wristband or pendant allowing disabled seniors to wear them continuously. For additional safety, fall detection can be added for $10 per month.
Home & Yard is useful for elderly adults who spend time in their gardens. The emergency pendant has a two-way voice feature allowing the user to speak into it and also answer the phone without heading back indoors.
For seniors on-the-go, Medical Care Alert has the Home & Away Ultra system that works anywhere in the U.S. with cellular service. Location tracking is through Wi-Fi, cellular signals and GPS, and the device has a battery life of three days.
PIN-protected lock boxes and wall-mounted buttons are available for a one-off payment of $29.95, and Medical Care Alert offers customers a 14-day trial period on all systems.
Why Disabled and Handicapped Seniors Need a Medical Alert System
When a disabled or handicapped senior falls, it’s vitally important that they seek assistance as soon as possible. If a caregiver is not around at the time of an accident, elderly adults need a convenient way to call for help. A medical alert system ensures help arrives quickly.
When activated through a button press or a verbal prompt, the medical alert system triggers a call to a central monitoring station that dispatches medical assistance to the users’ location. Most providers will also alert loved ones to the incident.
Even if seniors have a 24-hour caregiver, accidents can still happen, such as slipping in the bathroom or not being able to get out of the tub. A waterproof pendant or wristband that can be continuously worn can alert the caregiver to their situation.
The majority of providers offer the option of automatic fall assistance or movement monitoring. Even if a disabled senior is unable to activate the system to request assistance, medical workers will still be alerted to provide help.
How to Choose a Medical Alert System
When choosing which medical alert system is the right one for you, there are a couple of factors to consider.
- Home or away: Choosing between an in-home or on-the-go system will depend on your lifestyle. For disabled seniors who spend the majority of their time at home, an in-home system should provide adequate protection. For those who are away from home a lot, an on-the-go device is more appropriate.
- Convenience: Wall-mounted buttons in strategic places around the home ensure the device is always available should a fall occur. However, a wearable waterproof button allows you to continually wear the device, even in the bath. Depending on your disability, a voice-activated system could be a better option.
- Budget: Budget is something that needs to be considered. Many providers offer different devices to suit all budgets. Expect to pay between $20 and $50 per month for a basic system with the option to add features, such as GPS tracking and automatic fall detection, for an extra fee.
A medical alert system allows disabled and handicapped seniors to live as independently and freely as possible, knowing that medical assistance is on hand if an accident occurs. Finding the right device could prevent long-term damage from an injury or even help to save your life.
