It’s easy to get confused when picking a suitable medical alert service, just look at the names alone: there is LifeCall, LifeFone, Life Alert, Alert 1, Medical Alert, Medical Care Alert… the list goes on, and they all sound so similar to one another, so much so that just reading all the available options is enough to make the head spin. Luckily there are some names that are worth more than others, as is the case with both Medical Alert and Medical Guardian. But even these two medical alert services still cater to aging adults in distinct manners.
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Medical Guardian
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24/7/365 monitoring
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Medical monitoring
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2-way communication
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Fall detection
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Fire detection
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CO detection
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Activity monitoring
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Medication monitoring
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Medical Alert by Connect America aims to be a budget-friendly solution for homebound seniors all across the U.S. One of their biggest perks is its monitoring service, with operators that are available 24/7 and are more than ready to dispatch help if the situation calls for it. But more importantly, the care agents can be contacted in non-emergency situations too, which provides extra peace of mind for seniors who may become lonely or confused.
Medical Alert offers three kinds of equipment. Two of them are in-home base stations, one of which requires a landline connection while the other is cellular. The main hubs have a large enough range to cover the whole building, and they remain operational during a power outage for up to 36 hours. The third product is the on-the-go version, where the central unit is fully portable and small enough to be safely tucked away into a bag. And since all three support fall detection, this is a good choice for active elderly users.
The company’s pricing plan includes monthly, semi-annual and annual plans, with the most affordable starting from $18.29 per month. Choosing a longer commitment doesn’t change the price, however, but it does earn you a free lockbox and free shipping.
Medical Guardian has been in the business since 2005, offering state-of-the-art personal emergency systems for the elderly and users in need of protective care. Their monitoring service is fast and responsive, helped along by the fact that seniors can provide the agents with specific instructions and customize the emergency contact list at any time. And just like Medical Alert, the operators can also call in a third-party translation agency if English isn’t the native language of the caller.
The company offers six kinds of medical alert equipment. Two of these are home units: one for landlines and the other that works with a cellular network – the former covers a 1,300-feet range, while the latter covers a 1,400-feet range. Then there are four mobile buttons fitted with GPS tracking to pinpoint the wearer’s location when out and about. The battery life depends on the device you get, but it can go up to five days, so there aren’t any worries when your loved one goes on a short holiday. Plus, all pieces of equipment come with fall detection except the smartwatch.
Medical Guardian doesn’t force customers into long-term contracts but choosing to commit yourself for longer subscriptions provides a discount on the monthly price. It also offers one month of service, shipping, and a lockbox for free. The lowest monthly price available is $29.95.
Choosing between Medical Alert and Medical Guardian depends on the level of service quality that the senior prefers and how much are they willing to pay for it. Both companies offer fall detection and mobile pendants with GPS tracking, but Medical Alert has a more reliable monitoring service. On the other hand, Medical Guardian provides innovative on-the-go devices that could help to put family members’ minds at ease. In short, Medical Alert is more budget-friendly but with less equipment to choose from, while Medical Guardian offers higher-tier products, but charge a heftier monthly fee as a result.
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