Best Unmonitored Medical Alert Systems

How non-monitored medical alert systems work

Unlike traditional systems, unmonitored medical alert systems don’t have a monitoring team backing them up. Instead, when the user pushes the help button, it connects to either a pre-set phone number or a nearby receiver. These two options work best in different scenarios depending on the user’s situation.

Suppose that the user falls and pushes the panic button. The device with pre-configured phone numbers will connect to the emergency contact right away, regardless of the patient and caregiver’s location. On the other hand, caregiver pagers come with a help button and a receiver. When your loved one pushes the button, the caregiver will hear a distress signal coming from the receiver, but this only works if they’re within the system’s range.

In short, no-fee medical alert systems that call pre-set contacts are a better fit for older adults who still live independently and just need a safety net. Whereas non-monitored devices that work within a specific range are more worthwhile for patients who have a caregiver living with them.

Advantages of unmonitored life alert systems

It’s easy to think that traditional medical alert systems are better because they’re monitored. But that’s not always the case. Different people need different care, and unmonitored systems bring a lot of value to the table.

No contract

Regardless of the company you choose, when using a monitoring medical alert system, you’ll always have to abide by a contract with periodical payments. Moreover, if you’re not careful, you might find yourself tied to a service that comes with hidden fees or credit card charges after the end of the contract. With unmonitored life alert systems, you don’t need to worry about that, as there are no contracts whatsoever.

You own the equipment

Another hassle with monitored medical alert systems is that most of them don’t offer the option to buy the equipment. Instead, you have to lease it, which can become a problem when it’s time to ship the product back. If you fail to do so, you can expect a hefty bill to pay for a piece of equipment you’ll never use again. This isn’t a problem with unmonitored life alert systems, as the equipment is entirely yours.

Multiple users

Although there are a few medical alert systems that cover a second user for free, this isn’t common practice. Usually, if you need to monitor two loved ones living in the same place, you’ll have to get two subscriptions. On the flip side, it’s common to find unmonitored life alert systems that accommodate various users.

Disadvantages of unmonitored life alert systems

Of course, no-fee medical alert systems come with their fair share of disadvantages, too. And it’s even more important to be aware of these to make sure this solution is a good fit for your loved one’s needs.

They can be unreliable

Most monitored medical alert systems offer 24/7 surveillance with specialized care agents who are ready to help no matter if it’s the middle of the night or Thanksgiving dinner. That’s not what happens with unmonitored life alert systems. Since the emergency contact is usually a family member or a friend, it may be that the person isn’t able to answer the distress call right away. Even if you set 911 as the emergency contact, paramedics might not be sent when users aren’t able to speak or pinpoint their exact location. This never happens with monitored medical alert systems, as care agents can track the older adult’s whereabouts and will send help even when the user can’t respond.

High upfront costs

Life alert system prices can range anywhere from $20 to $400. Of course, the most basic ones that are used indoors are pretty cheap. But if you want a more comprehensive system that comes with top-notch technology, such as fall detection or medication reminders, you’ll notice that prices aren’t as generous. In other words, what you end up paying to have an advanced system is enough to cover your loved one with a monitored medical system for more than one year.

How to choose a no-fee medical alert system

The process of choosing a no-fee medical alert system is pretty similar to choosing a monitored medical alert system. Start by thinking about the user’s health and the amount of assistance required. If the older adult already has a 24/7 caregiver, then a simple call-for-help button will be enough. In this case, we suggest carefully reading the device’s range and comparing it to the property’s dimensions. You want to make sure that the caregiver can be around the house (and even in the yard) without the system failing. Another important factor to bear in mind is how easy it is to press the button, especially if the user has weaker hands.

For unmonitored life alert systems that automatically call a pre-set contact, you need to decide whether to get one that works with a landline or mobile network. If the user is still active in their community, the latter is your best option. We also suggest considering additional features like fall detection, which sends a distress call even when the user isn’t able to push a button, and water resistance for added device protection.