Best Medical Alert Apps

Standalone medical alert apps aren’t specifically designed for the elderly or disabled. They act more as a general emergency app and come with features such as fake-call and crash-detection alerts.

Many people looking for everyday medical assistance may not turn to a medical alert system, assuming that it includes investing in numerous pieces of bulky equipment, along with its dedicated app. However, many providers offer the possibility to rent devices, and the objects themselves are small, portable, and designed to be discreet. Their subtle appearance means that users don’t need to worry that wearing one may make them appear old.

While some people may turn to a convenient standalone medical alert app since they already own a smartphone, its suitability all depends on the user’s needs. A standalone app can provide help in some emergencies but doesn’t provide the level of 24/7 support that seniors living alone or those with neurological or physical limitations require.

Making the right choice

A standalone app is only perfect for tech-savvy users who won’t be overwhelmed by an app with numerous features. For users with cognitive issues, even remembering where their phone is, getting to it, and unlocking it to contact 911 will never be as simple as pushing a handy wearable button.

Although some standalone medical apps offer voice activation features, there may be situations where even this isn’t possible. Additionally, smartphones tend to lose battery much quicker than most medical alert devices – although this is only relevant for those users who don’t live in total symbiosis with their cell phones.

While both supplemental and standalone apps are designed to offer reassurance, only one comes with a full-time monitoring team. How the app will be used is the best way to determine which is the most suitable for a particular user.

Despite the ease of contacting a caregiver in an emergency, this app doesn’t provide reminders, fall detection, or any of the other handy features provided by a medical alert device and supplementary app.

Despite lacking features delivered by other apps, such as activity monitoring and geo-fence alerts, FallSafety Home is perfect for any iOS and Apple Watch user vulnerable to falls.

Senior Safety App offers fall detection and geo-fence alerts. While the design leaves a lot to be desired and most features are behind a paywall, caregivers can benefit from a decent standalone emergency alert app.

Different apps for different needs

Although both medical alert systems and standalone emergency alert apps help ensure a loved one’s safety, the two services differ. Integrating with a wearable device, the supplemental app lets a user manage their accounts and payments, although focuses more on protecting and monitoring another person. Standalone apps are cheaper and often used to ensure a user’s own personal safety.

The most significant difference is that a standalone app will contact 911 or a relative in an emergency. This doesn’t help if the user can’t communicate or the family member is unavailable. A full medical alert system not only provides a team of professionals at the end of the line 24/7 to reassure the user while they contact the emergency services and family, but they also have access to complete medical histories.

All things considered, active seniors may find standalone apps a more affordable way to protect themselves. But for anyone thinking through every eventuality, the only way to feel wholly reassured is to have a truly comprehensive medical alert system. Combining an app and a wearable device will always provide the quickest way to get help.