Medical alert systems can help seniors age in place.
As we get older, falls become more and more common, with around 36 million older adults reporting a fall every single year. Not only is experiencing a fall scary, but it can lead to costly hospital visits, serious injuries, and long-term complications.
Medical alert systems help seniors aging in place maintain their independence by ensuring that if they do need help, they can get it immediately. If you’re shopping for a medical alert system in San Francisco, look no further than our list of the best medical alert systems. We’ll also cover tips for choosing a medical alert system for your lifestyle, budget, and needs. The best medical alert systems have 24/7 urgent response centers with fast response times and trained agents that can be contacted at the press of a button. Seniors can rely on these systems that feature durable, easy-to-use equipment. The value of the best medical alert systems meets or exceeds the price, and there are no long-term contracts to tie you down. We evaluated each of the providers on our list to determine what they do best in order to help you decide which system is best for you or your loved one.
Bay Alarm Medical systems are affordable, reliable, and offer all of the features recommended in a medical alert system. You really get the most bang for your buck with this provider. Starting at just $24.95 per month, which is around $5 per month cheaper than most comparable providers, Bay Alarm Medical’s systems are some of the least expensive on our list, and the company runs frequent sales and offers bundles to help you save even more.
The company’s lineup includes three different systems: an in-home system, an on-the-go wearable pendant, and a smartwatch. The SOS Home system is perfect for homebodies. It comes with a base unit and wearable help button, and you can add automatic fall detection for an extra $10 per month. Users who spend a lot of time on the go can choose between the SOS Mobile, a device that can clip to your belt or bag, and SOS Smartwatch. If you want fall detection, we’d recommend the SOS Mobile. For active users looking for a more discreet system, the SOS Smartwatch is an excellent choice. In addition to the safety features, it includes step tracking, weather reports, and GPS technology too. All of Bay Alarm Medical’s systems connect to the company’s 24/7 monitoring center with the press of a button.
Medical Guardian is known for its variety of high-tech systems, from a basic in-home model to an on-the-go system with the latest features. With five systems to choose from, most seniors will find a system that meets their needs. All of Medical Guardian’s systems include 24/7 monitoring and access to MyGuardian, a portal and mobile app for caregivers to stay in the loop about their loved one.
One standout Medical Guardian system is MGMove, a high-tech smartwatch with step tracking, texting capabilities, and reminders for things like medications and events. Mini Guardian is another great on-the-go option; this pendant-style system is small and lightweight, and can be upgraded to include automatic fall detection. Medical Guardian’s monthly rates are slightly higher than those of other providers, starting at $29.95 per month. Most systems also have equipment fees, ranging from $124.95 to $199.95, which is less common for the industry. However, the systems’ features and dependability make Medical Guardian an excellent choice if it fits your budget.
ADT has a long history of providing reliable home security systems, and the company has used its expertise to create a line of medical alert systems backed by ADT professionals. The company offers an impressive company owned and operated, U.S.-based monitoring center. With 24/7 protection available at the press of a button, ADT Health is a trusted brand seniors can depend on.
The provider offers at-home and on-the-go systems with standard medical alert features like wearable help buttons, optional fall detection, and two-way speakers. ADT’s lineup is fairly limited and on the pricier end for the industry. Prices range from $29.99 to $35.99 per month for in-home options, which is around $5 to $10 more than other budget-friendly providers. Still, ADT Health is an excellent option if you’re looking for a company with a proven track record.
Aloe Care Health offers advanced systems with caregiver integration to keep independent older adults safe and loved ones in the know. These systems have high-tech features like motion, temperature, and air quality sensors; pendantless fall detection; voice activation; and caregiver monitoring. Loved ones can stay up to date on the user’s activity, view real-time alerts, make check-in calls, and view the temperature and air quality through the Aloe Care Health mobile app. During an emergency, users can call for help using the sound of their voice or their wearable help button 24/7. If you’re a caregiver or loved one who wants some added peace of mind, Aloe Care Health is an excellent option.
Want a system with all the bells and whistles? We’d recommend the Total Care system. Designed for at-home and on-the-go use, it comes with all of the standard features, plus motion sensors for pendant-free fall detection and a mobile unit. This system can detect in-home falls even when you’re not wearing a help button, which is unique for the industry. While Aloe Care Health’s systems and equipment fees are some of the most expensive on our list, the advanced features can be worth the cost.
If you’re worried that a medical alert system will be too complicated to use or you’re not a big fan of tech, Medical Alert is a great choice. The company keeps things simple with three no-frills systems: two for at-home use and a mobile pendant for on-the-go protection. Both systems have only a few large buttons, so you’ll know exactly what to press during an emergency. These easy-to-use medical alert systems have all of the essential features too, like 24/7 monitoring, optional fall detection, two-way communication, and wearable help pendants.
Medical Alert also offers a mobile app for caregivers and family members who want to view real-time alerts and the user’s location straight from their phone. Medical Alert’s monthly rates are affordable, and you can save even more if you select a semiannual or annual payment plan. One thing to note: Medical Alert’s sytems have a $49 activation fee, which is fairly unusual for the industry.
If you live in a large home, choosing a system with a big, reliable coverage area is essential. LifeFone offers the largest coverage range for in-home systems in the industry, up to 1,400 feet. No matter where you are in the home, you can call for help with a wearable emergency button and connect to LifeFone’s 24/7 monitoring center. For comparison, some providers have coverage areas as small as 400 or 600 feet.
We also appreciate that LifeFone offers affordable fall detection for in-home systems and some of its on-the-go systems, starting at just $5 per month. Most other companies charge $10 per month, so this is a great deal. LifeFone has a wide range of systems for at-home, mobile, and hybrid protection to meet most needs. To save on your system, we recommend choosing a quarterly or annual payment plan for discounted rates.
Lively provides the best of both worlds for older adults, offering cell phones that double as medical alert systems. The provider’s phones are packed with senior-friendly features like large buttons and screens, simplified menus, and powerful speakers. For an additional monthly fee, you can add one of Lively’s three Health & Safety Packages, with features like 24/7 monitoring, an urgent care hotline, caregiver monitoring, and an Urgent Response button. Keep in mind that you’ll have to pay for a monthly cellular plan and Health & Safety Package to access all of these features on a Lively phone. You’ll also need to pay an equipment fee of $99.99 to $149.99. Luckily, these fees are affordable compared to most popular cell phone packages, which can cost a few hundred dollars and likely more. If you want discreet medical alert protection that also allows you to stay connected, Lively’s Jitterbug Flip2 and Jitterbug Smart3 are excellent choices.
Not interested in a cell phone? Lively also offers Lively Mobile Plus, a stand-alone mobile medical alert system that provides access to Lively’s Health & Safety Packages and 24/7 monitoring. Users can also add a Health & Safety Package to an Apple Watch or Alexa-enabled device for medical alert monitoring. This is perfect for seniors who want to add protection to their favorite devices.
We used hands-on testing, hours of online research, and conversations with each provider’s customer service team to create our list of the best medical alert systems in San Francisco.
Our editorial team (and many of the older adults in their lives) tried out each provider’s systems and took notes on their experience. We then compared each company side-by-side to provide the most accurate and useful recommendations. We evaluated each provider for several criteria, including:
A medical alert system is designed to provide protection and assistance for older adults, allowing them to maintain their independence and age in place safely. After a fall or other health emergency, users can press a button to connect to the medical alert system’s monitoring center. From there, a response agent will assess the situation and send whatever help is needed, whether it’s first responders, a caregiver, or a family member.
In-home systems come with a base station featuring two-way communication and a help button, along with a help button that’s worn as a necklace or bracelet. Systems designed for on-the-go use usually have a mobile unit that can be worn as a necklace or watch for protection outside the home. These mobile systems rely on a cellular connection and often come with GPS tracking so that you can receive help no matter where you are.
Medical alert systems cost anywhere from around $20 to $50 per month. The cost of a medical alert system will depend on several factors, including:
This is a simple way to narrow down your options right away. Outline your monthly budget for a medical alert system, and eliminate any options that are too expensive.
Think about where you spend most of your time. Are you someone who enjoys spending your days in the comfort of your own home? If so, an in-home system will likely be best for your needs. In-home systems come with either a landline or cellular connection. If you live in an area with poor or unreliable cell reception, we’d recommend a landline system. If you live somewhere with strong cell reception or you don’t want to connect your equipment to a phone jack, a cellular system is your best bet.
Do you spend most of your time out and about? A mobile system that you can wear and take with you wherever you go is a great option. You can choose from a unit that you wear like a necklace or a smartwatch-style system. Or maybe you’re a mix of both, spending lots of time at home and on the go. Many companies offer hybrid systems with at-home and mobile equipment.
The majority of providers offer automatic fall detection, typically for an additional monthly fee. Fall detection pendants can detect the motion associated with a fall and call for help. That means, if you experience a fall and are unable to press your help button, the pendant will contact the 24/7 monitoring center so you quickly receive the help you need. We recommend fall detection for those who have mobility issues, a history of falls, or just want some additional peace of mind.
Medical alert systems come with a wide range of features, from GPS tracking and caregiver monitoring to medication reminders and check-in calls. As you shop, narrow down your list to the features that are most important to you so you can find the system that best fits your lifestyle. While extra features will be a matter of preference, there are a few essential features that should be non-negotiable. We only recommend systems that include: