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5 Questions to Ask Before Purchasing In-Home Medical Alert Systems

5 Questions to Ask Before Purchasing In-Home Medical Alert Systems


Opening the wallet to subscribe to a medical alert system is no doubt an important decision. After all, the life of your loved one depends on it. Seniors and patients with different lifestyles and surroundings all have their own needs and therefore a particular device to suit, so it’s important to avoid paying for something they don’t use. For this reason, it’s necessary to dive headlong into the colorful world of medical alert units and inform yourself about the pros and cons of a service. While we try to do as much as we can to enlighten you with our comparison articles, there are some questions that you should be asking yourself about medical alert devices.

5 questions to ask before purchasing in-home medical alert systems

1. Will the medical alert system limit me in any way?

Obviously not, in fact they do the exact opposite. The system is designed in a way to grant the largest area of freedom without compromising the wearer’s safety. The base station – which is the heart of any in-home medical alert system – has a large enough coverage to ensure that the senior doesn’t need to sit in the same room all day. Although the distance varies depending on the provider and its hardware, they are usually large enough to cover the whole house plus the garden or front yard. While within this protective radius, the owner is free to go anywhere as the help button’s signal will reach the base station. This help button closely resembles a wearable accessory such as a pendant or wristwatch and since it is waterproof it can safely be worn even at the pool or in the shower.

Active senior outside with Medical Guardian button
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2. How Does the Cancellation Work?

Well, most services can be cancelled whenever you wish, however bear in mind that each company has a different refund policy. Most of the time you won’t get the prepaid amount back if the cancellation takes place before the contract has ended. In most cases the cancellation is done by contacting customer support but the process usually takes a while, so don’t leave it until the last minute since the subscription might be renewed in the meantime. Usually there are monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual plans on offer, which gives plenty of room to plan ahead. Note that some companies won’t cancel the service until the equipment is sent back, either.

Medical alert systems in spanish with spanish monitoring service

3. What if my friends see it and make remarks?

Don’t worry about it! The medical alert help button is disguised as stylish jewelry. They can we worn as a necklace or wristband. It’s even a good idea to order an extra lanyard to make them look even classier. Their small size and light weight also make it easier to tuck them under your shirt or hide them in your purse.

4. Does the fall detection work all the time?

Most providers claim that their fall detection buttons only work 95% of the time, but this phrasing is a little misleading. What this actually means is that there are some cases where the fall detection isn’t triggered. Falling from a relatively low height (under 0.5 meter, for instance) or slowly slipping to the ground are such problematic situations. There is also small chance that the pendant raises a false alarm. Still, it’s better to be safe than sorry, especially since the unwanted call can then be easily explained to the operator.

5. Is there really a difference between two medical alert companies?

Yes, and making a suitable purchase decision is impossible without understanding the subtle differences between personal emergency systems. Each and every system is unique, from basic aspects such as the range of coverage, available connectivity types, and battery life to extra features like fall detection, mobile buttons, or GPS tracking. Reading customer and professional reviews and checking out dedicated comparison articles will help to shed some light on the issue.

Senior Safety mobile gps button

Best medical alert systems of 2025

Editors' choice

Medical Guardian

Editor's rating:
Quick emergency response
Accurate fall detection
In-home and mobile systems
Clear and flexible pricing
Value

MobileHelp

Editor's rating:
Reliable help on-the-go
Works anywhere with signal
Extra safety and convenience
GPS tracking
Spanish

LifeFone

Editor's rating:
Coverage wherever you are
Great upfront savings
No hidden start-up costs
Predictable, flexible pricing
Active lifestyle

LifeStation

Editor's rating:
24/7 emergency help
Multilingual support
Alexa integration
Mobile app
Equipment variety

Medical Alert

Editor's rating:
Locates user in emergencies
Help beyond urgent needs
Sends alerts automatically
Accessible for diverse users
Professional installation

Lifeline

Editor's rating:
In-home and mobile devices
Smartphone app
No long-term contracts
+40 years of experience
Couples

One Call Alert

Editor's rating:
Support when you need it
Works anywhere with coverage
Fast, accurate emergency help
No extra maintenance costs

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