[Last updated: June 27, 2016]
Best Overall: Medical Guardian
Overview: Long range technology and a knowledgeable staff. Medical Guardian provides excellent monitoring service for any potential medical need.
Summary: The primary concern when choosing an alert system is the safety of the individual who will use it. Another factor is freedom. Many devices have constricting ranges that keep users close by. Medical Guardians devices have the largest range of any of their competitors giving your loved ones the freedom to work in their yard, or even take a short walk close to the property. With this mobile service, the monitoring extends to the entire world with their mobile guardian plan. Even there starter plan has a 1,300 foot radius which makes it one of the best in the business. There is no free trial and a minimum 90 day commitment is required, which may turn some away. Although, a range of upgradable options and an incredible response time to emergencies make this our firmly-placed top spot.
Read our full Medical Guardian review here.
Number 2: Bay Alarm Medical
Overview: Above average education and small discrete equipment. Plus, reps genuinely seem to care about your loved ones; a big difference during potential emergencies.
Summary: Bay Alarm Medical boasts a decent range for the in home units of a 1,000 foot radius. The device is also surprisingly small, waterproof, and a breeze to upkeep. A backup battery system means that power outages keep your loved-ones safe during power outages, which can be an added life-saving feature in rough weather areas. The biggest benefit to Bay Alarm are the reps. A caring bunch of people who understand that they are dealing with people who are members of your family, and each customer is treated as such. They are very calm and helpful during some of the roughest times. You will have to pay shipping for your equipment and the base station is a bit off putting, but the service more than make up for these inconveniences.
Read our full Bay Alarm Medical review here.
Number 3: MobileHelp
Overview: Great technology for on-the-go elderly and disabled family members. Flexible monitoring hardware makes it easy to move.
Summary: No matter who you are, wearing a device that alerts a monitoring company of certain health metrics can be embarrassing. Older individuals who are still active may find most devices ugly and borderline unwearable. MobileHelp has designed their devices with these individuals in mind. The “watch” style monitor is sleek and fashionable and won’t draw attention as a medical device. The necklace is small and just as visually appealing. Wearing these accessories won’t slow you down or cramp your style, but it will keep you safe in an emergency. The company designs and creates the hardware (probably why it’s so pretty), but the monitoring service is outsourced and could be an issue if you want everything from the same place. If you are active and love accessories, there may be no better choice to keep you in motion.
Read our full MobileHelp review here.
Number 4: LifeFone
Overview: A long-standing and reliable choice in the monitoring market. LifeFone has multiple equipment options and great service that will reliably keep your loved ones safe.
Summary: There are few monitoring services that have been in the game longer than LifeFone with over 40 years of experience. Multiple generations have relied on this company to maintain the safety of their disabled and elderly family members. This level of reliability makes them a great choice for anyone who wants a trustworthy and tested brand for the job. Their equipment isn’t bad and users have a few options to extend the range up to 1,500 feet (up from a 480 foot radius) at no additional cost. There are other features you may not find anywhere else like the ability to answer your phone calls from the devices or a card that can help you stay safe abroad by including all of your necessary medical information for healthcare providers in other countries.
Read our full LifeFone review here.
Number 5: Alert1
Overview: Great monitoring service and an excellent option for the golden years of elderly couples. Extra available options and bilingual support.
Summary: Alert1 is a great system that is available all over the country. Installation and setup is free of charge so you can get going without extra fees. The console has a loud speaker and a large button for easy emergency call outs. The best benefit is for elderly married couples because adding a spouse to your plan is free of charge. While the monthly charges aren’t the cheapest, if you add a free family member to the plan, it becomes a great value. The range is a bit lackluster at a 600 foot radius for the necklace pendant and the battery backup only lasts for 24 hours, which may not be good depending if weather causes regular power outages. Couple that needs medical monitoring will find Alert1 the best value choice.
Read our full Alert1 review here.
Number 6: Life Station
Overview: A shorter range than most equipment, but some of the best trained care specialists in the industry. You will have two of them help you with each and every call.
Summary: Care specialists make or break a monitoring service. Devices and hardware can get you in touch, but your help comes in the individuals who will answer the call during an emergency. Life Station trains all of their reps for 160 hours before they are qualified to assist customers. Not only that, but two of them handle every call. One talks with the user (or their loved one) while the other specialist contacts and works with emergency services to ensure help will be on the way quickly. The in-home range is one of the shortest at a 500 foot radius, but this service is ideal for elderly in a small apartment or even assisted-living situation that are less mobile and more prone to need emergency care.
Read our full Life Station review here.
Number 7: Rescue Alert
Overview: One of the best services for non-native English speakers living in the States. Not a lot of added services available outside of basic monitoring.
Summary: Millions of American residents have a primary language other than English. During emergency situations, this can be a major problem. Accuracy in the details when getting the help you need can mean life or death. Rescue alert is the only monitoring service to use a language line that currently can assist their disabled and elderly users in at least 150 languages. While it doesn’t have the added service options like carbon monoxide and smoke detection and the range is on the lower end (600 feet), their monitoring service is solid and all handled in house. If your loved one struggles with, or just doesn’t speak English, Rescue Alert is going to be at the top of your list.
Read our full Rescue Alert review here.
Number 8: Phillips Lifeline
Overview: Intelligent hardware that can help disabled loved ones automatically. A bit higher cost and some fees that most competitors don’t charge.
Summary: Phillips is a large tech company that makes many useful gadgets. They’ve taken that expertise and made a device that is perfect for disabled individuals who are prone to accidents. The necklace that is provided with the basic system will detect a fall and call for help automatically. You can also upgrade to a wireless system for your family that has “cut the cord”. The fees for Phillips Lifeline’s monitoring service are higher than many others, but aren’t outrageous. There is an activation fee, which you don’t see very often in the monitoring service industry. If your loved one has mental disabilities and lacks the comprehension to call for help, this may be the best option to keep them safe.
Read our full Phillips Lifeline review here.
Number 9: Care Innovations Link
Overview: One of the most affordable options on the market. Basic service with very few “bells and whistles”. If you only need medical monitoring, read on.
Summary: There isn’t much to this service. It’s a 24/7 monitoring company at one of the lowest monthly rates and provides the basic equipment you need to keep your family member(s) safe. If you want added services and features, you won’t find them here. The range on their base unit is only a 390 foot radius, and the wearable tech is very basic. The company will help you figure out the best location for the base unit and does boast reliable around the clock service. If you are on a fixed income, and only need the basics, it’s a better than solid option. If you want something more feature-rich, it’s not for you.
Read our full Care Innovations Link review here.
Number 10: ADT Alert System
Overview: A trusted name in home security that can care for your loved ones. ADT’s alert system can also add a bit of home automation into the mix to create a more valuable tool.
Summary: ADT’s primary business model is security monitoring, but their medical service is more than equipped to handle health emergencies. A benefit of the cross over is the temperature monitoring feature. If a user’s home becomes dangerously hot or cold ADT can alert family members and authorities to figure out if residents are safe. Unfortunately, the basic equipment is a bit underwhelming with a 300 foot radius (the lowest of companies we’ve reviewed). The backup battery life is also the lowest, which may be a problem for harsh weather areas of the country. The price is a bit steep for the service you receive, but the name is reliable and the monitoring service is great for those who want to work with a trustworthy provider.
Read our full ADT Alert System review here.
http://authority.org/medical-alert-systems/ http://authorityorg.tumblr.com/post/147221889487
No comments:
Post a Comment