Many people prefer to remain in their own homes as they age, but reduced mobility and medical issues can make staying safe a real challenge. Monitored medical alert systems can be a great option and confidence booster for seniors and people with disabilities, ensuring they can receive help at any time, even if they can’t reach a phone or are home alone.
These exceptional systems combine a lightweight, wearable medical alert button with an auto-dialer that instantly connects callers with a 24/7 emergency response center that’s staffed by highly trained emergency operators.
With dozens of medical alert systems available, it’s important to take the time to find the system that’s right for a senior or loved ones. This review provides an in-depth look at the MobileHelp Classic medical alert system, a user-friendly, cellular-connected medical alert system designed for in-home use.
What You Should Know About the MobileHelp Classic Medical Alert System
The MobileHelp Classic medical alert system is a basic, user-friendly in-home medical alert system from MobileHelp, a Florida-based medical alert company that’s been in business for over 25 years.
The system includes a base unit that’s equipped with a cellular SIM card and connects to the AT&T mobile network, eliminating the need for a wired landline connection. This base unit plugs into a standard household power outlet and includes a back-up battery to maintain service in the event of a power outage.
Users can opt for either a pendant or wrist-mounted help button, and additional wall-mounted and wearable help buttons are available for an added fee. When the user presses their help button within range of the base unit, the button activates an automatic phone dialer that calls MobileHelp’s monitoring center.
A trained emergency operator will initiate a two-way conversation with the caller through the speakerphone in the base unit, and if help is needed, the operator will contact either a trusted neighbor, friend or first responders, such as police, fire or ambulance.
MobileHelp Classic users can upgrade to a fall detection pendant for an extra $10 per month. This neck-worn help button contains sensors that detect if the wearer suffers from a sudden fall and triggers an automatic call for help.
| Feature |
Details |
| Range (In-home device) |
Up to 1400′ |
| Location tracking |
GPS location tracking on mobile unit |
| Fall detection |
Available (additional $10 per month) |
| Help buttons |
Includes choice of wrist or pendant-style; additional buttons available for an added fee |
| Connectivity |
AT&T nationwide wireless network |
| Wall button |
Available (additional $2.95 per month) |
| Speakerphone |
On in-home base unit and mobile unit |
MobileHelp Classic Plans, Prices and Costs
Pricing for the MobileHelp Classic starts at $19.95 per month and includes all hardware. Subscribers can opt for a monthly ($19.95), quarterly ($90.61), semiannual ($164.72) or annual ($239.40) plan. There is a one-time $49.95 processing fee for month-to-month subscriptions, and fall detection is available for an additional $10 per month on all plans.
Pros and Cons of the MobileHelp Classic Medical Alert System
As with all medical alert systems, there are a number of pros and cons to consider before subscribing to the MobileHelp Classic medical alert system.
Pros:
- Monthly monitoring costs start at under $20 per month, which include the use of all hardware and the cellular service for the base unit
- The system is user-friendly and maintenance-free — no need to recharge the battery in the help button
- No landline needed — base unit includes a cellular SIM card
- Service available nationwide on the AT&T cellular network
- Range of up to 1400 feet is among the best in the industry
- Users can add wireless waterproof wall buttons and extra wearable panic buttons to the system
- Fall detection available for an additional $10 per month
- Free lockbox included with semiannual and annual plans
- No long-term contracts
- Panic buttons are waterproof and safe for use in the shower
- Two U.S. call monitoring centers
- Subscribers can ask that a friend, neighbor or family member be contacted by MobileHelp operators before calling 9-1-1
- Call monitoring services available in Spanish and English
- MobileHelp maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau
Cons:
- Users need to pay for an annual plan to get the lowest possible per-day cost
- The system won’t work in areas without AT&T cellular coverage
- Help buttons look like traditional medical alert devices
- No two-way communication through wearable help button; it’s only available on the base unit
- As with all fall-detection devices, the optional fall-detection pendant may not accurately detect all falls
- No option to add a spouse or roommate to the account
- Monthly subscribers are charged a one-time $49.95 processing fee
