Fall detection

Falls can be more serious than anticipated, especially for seniors. If falling is a very real issue, a medical alert device with built-in fall detection should be at the top of the list of needs. Fall detection with wearable pendants and watches can distinguish between regular movements and falls and will alert call centers immediately.

GPS

Medical alert systems equipped with GPS allow you or your loved ones to maintain a safety net while to exploring the world. Given these devices are not designed to be homebound, customers can continue to live an active lifestyle with the service in the palm of their hands. Just make sure your area is sufficiently covered for the service.

Monitored Emergency Response

Other than the device itself, the most important part of medical alert systems is the 24/7-response service each company provides. It is imperative that call responders are continually trained and certified to handle emergency situations. Responsiveness is incredibly important in our rating, and should be guaranteed to fall within a time period that is acceptable to the user, i.e. a few seconds to a minute.

At Home and Mobile Options

Depending on whether you’re at home, on the go, or both, finding a medical alert device that offers the option you need is an important factor. Seniors and their families may want to consider having both options and go with a combination of at-home and mobile monitoring, or simply choose one or the other.

Family and Caregiver Alerts

For families or caregivers who want to ensure their senior is safe and sound, monitoring and alerts via app or email is a great feature many medical alert companies offer.

Equipment Pricing

Most medical alert companies provide equipment at “no cost” – which means you are paying for the equipment as part of your monthly fee. This is a good option, especially since its hard to know how long a user will have their system, and saves ion a large, up-front cash outlay. However, even though you do not pay for equipment “up front”, you are responsible for returning equipment in good working order. If equipment is lost or stolen, you will have to pay for it – which could cost hundreds of dollars. Most companies offer an equipment protection plan (usually $5.00/month). We believe this is worth the investment.

Shipping, Setup, and Activation Fees

While many companies have standard shipping, setup, and activation fees, IN MOST CASES, they will be waived if you negotiate. We do not recommend paying these fees, and you should always ask the company to waive them. One fee that WILL NOT be waived is a return shipping fee if you cancel. It will be your responsibility to send equipment back in a timely manner to avoid additional month’s payments. That’s why it is important to give strong considerations to our iDeal Certified partners who have the $50.00 guarantee as part of their certification. If you are not satisfied for any reason and return a system to one of our iDeal Certified partners during the standard return period, iDeal Comparison will send you a $50.00 gift card to help pay for your return shipping and trouble

Payment Options and Contracts

Most medical alert companies offer flexible payment options, varying from monthly and quarterly to semi-annually to annually. While do not recommend companies that require long-term contracts like Life Alert, most companies offer discounts for paying multiple months at a time. Some, like our #1 ranked Medical Guardian, give you up to 2 months free by paying annually, which makes for a compelling offer.

Pricing for Additional Features

Fall detection, which we recommend, is usually a monthly fee, ranging from $10 to $15 per month. GPS or global positioning system which tracks the wearer’s location is usually included in the base monthly price of mobile options. However, these units are usually higher-priced, ranging anywhere from $30 to $69 month, depending on the company and the devices. Other additional features that carry a monthly price tag are extra wall buttons (for wet areas like the bathroom shower, lock boxes, and additional pendants or wrist buttons.

Special Offers and Discounts

Medical alert companies frequently offer discounts. iDeal Comparison works hard to secure the best deals from the top rated companies. To get the best deal available, click-through the iDeal Comparison links or call the companies at the phone numbers listed on our site to ensure that you get the steepest discounts.

Customer Service

It is imperative that a medical alert company has exceptional customer service, both during and after the purchasing process is complete. Any person using a medical alert system for the first time will have questions about their system. They may run into problems setting up the device or run into an issue with equipment, and customer service needs to be capable of answer any inquiries that come their way. Patient, helpful, and well-trained responders or associates go a long way with seniors and their families, and the best medical alert systems will have great service through and through.

Top-Rated Monitoring Centers

One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing a medical alert system is the reputability of the monitoring center. Monitoring centers are vital in the safety and functionality of the medical alert device being used, so it’s important to choose a company with well-trained and well-run monitoring centers. Some certifications to look out for are Underwriters Laboratory (UL) or a TMA CSSA 5 Diamond Monitoring Center. These distinctions, among others, are important because they ensure that a monitoring center provides satisfactory service, protects its customers, and meets quality standards set industry-wide. Monitoring centers are the first line of defense, and we at iDeal Comparison only endorse companies whose centers’ regularly display excellence.

Reviews and Customer Testimonials

Analyzing and listening to customer reviews are one of the more important ways to determine the reputability of a medical alert system. Customers who use the devices regularly or have past experience with medical alert devices can speak to the quality of service and effectiveness reliability of the devices. Customers are going to discuss the positives and negatives with honesty and transparency. Hearing both good and bad experiences from real seniors helps iDeal Comparison decide which medical alert systems are the best on the market.

Response Time

When a medical emergency is occurring, every second is precious. Response time for a medical alert system, therefore, is an area that must be heavily considered when deciding which device to choose. An ideal response time is about 15 seconds, with some of the best medical alert companies boasting times even less than that. The faster the response time, the faster help can be on the way, reassuring both seniors and their families that they will be well taken care of in an emergency.