6 Crucial Factors to Consider When Selecting A Medical Alert System
In a world where 77% of adults want to stay in their homes as they age, medical alert systems are becoming more important than ever. There are multiple steps seniors need to take to age in place safely and successfully, and in many cases, choosing the right medical alert system will be a critical part of the plan.
The good news is that today’s medical alert systems work better than ever. While the original medical alert systems only worked in the home, the majority of options available today connect to cellular networks. That means they have you covered whether you are at home or out and about. Today’s medical alert systems also come in a variety of stylish options, with technology embedded in everything from watches to necklaces to unobtrusive, pager-like devices. You can even set your medical alert system up on a standard Smart Watch; far from stigmatizing older adults, these devices blend right in with the younger crowd.
Modern “smart watches” often have built-in fall detection and can be adapted to work with Emergency Alert Services.
The downside of having so many options available is that the process of finding the right medical alert system can become overwhelming. If the only thing that you know going into this process is that you “need a medical alert system”, it will be more difficult to find the right device for your unique situation.
To help guide you through this process, Age Better Resources has come up with this article, 6 Crucial Factors to Consider When Selecting A Medical Alert System. We will not recommend a particular device in this article (though certain options are featured for informational purposes); rather, our goal is to set you up with the right questions to figure out which device is right for your unique situation. That said, let’s dive into 6 Crucial Factors to Consider When Selecting A Medical Alert System.
6 Crucial Factors to Consider When Selecting A Medical Alert System
Question #1. How Much Will This Cost?
The first question that many seniors (or their loved ones) have about medical alert systems is how much it will cost. The answer is not straightforward - the cost of a medical alert system can vary significantly depending on the platform you use and the options in your plan - so let’s outline some details about the market.
In general, there are two types of costs involved with a medical alert system. The first is the cost of the hardware (generally a one-time fee) and the second is the cost of the monthly service.
On the high end for the full-spectrum package are options like the “Essentials Plus” package available from Aloe Care Health. The Essentials Plus plan sets you up with 24/7 emergency monitoring and coverage at home and on-the-go for $60 per month plus a one-time hardware cost of $349.99. The hardware cost for Aloe Care Health’s product is on the higher end, but the $60 per month subscription fee is consistent for devices that connect directly to a cellular network.
That said, there are many less expensive options that may meet your needs. If you are already wearing a Smart Watch on a cellular plan, some options allow you to add a 24/7 monitoring “App” for somewhere in the neighborhood of $20 per month. Of course, this assumes that your device is already set up on a cellular plan, but it is a good source of potential savings if that is your situation.
You may also only need protection in or out of the home. In some cases, a senior is always around another person at home and only needs protection when they are out in public. In other situations, an aging adult might live alone, and will only leave the house if they are accompanied by a caregiver or family member. In those cases, a senior may only need the medical alert system for coverage in the home. Either way, limiting the amount of data you are using, or the number of devices that you need to purchase, can help to keep the cost down.
A last consideration related to cost is who your medical alert system will contact. Professional monitoring systems require subscription fees, as they employ people to be at the ready for your call, but many medical alert systems can be set up to call a family member or trusted friend. You can even program devices to call a list of options in sequence.
If we want to consider the cheapest possible options, there are “bare minimum” cell phone plans available for as little as $10 per month. There is a long list of reasons this option is less than ideal - a standard cell phone is not designed to detect falls, and a senior may struggle to use the device if they are injured - but at the same time, the most expensive options are not foolproof. If you fall and can’t get up, it would be better, on the balance, to have a cell phone in your pocket than no communication device at all; a basic, 30-minute talk and text plan could make all the difference in that situation.
Question #2. What Type of Device Will You Wear?
This is a more important question than you might think. Many experts note that the biggest problem with medical alert systems is that people don’t wear them.
Today’s variety of options makes this an easier task, but you still need to consider what is right for you. If a senior is already wearing an Apple Watch, that may be the perfect option, but for someone who doesn’t wear a watch, the change could be unwelcome. In other cases, a Smart Watch may not mesh with an individual’s tastes. For instance, many women prefer to wear their emergency alert system in a tastefully designed necklace, rather than in a watch they might consider less elegant.
There are differences in the capabilities of these devices. For instance, the stylish necklaces mentioned only have a single button embedded. That means that they can send out an alert, but they do not feature automatic fall detection or the ability to speak to a response specialist.
Of course, it doesn’t matter how great the features are if a person doesn’t want to wear their device. The most important thing is to ensure that the device will fit in with the individual’s lifestyle.
With that in mind, here are the three main categories of medical alert devices…
1. Watches.
These come in all varieties, from watches designed specifically to be medical alert devices, to Smart Watches that happen to have medical alert systems built in. If you are already wearing a Smart Watch, your decision may be fairly simple; it could be as easy as downloading a new app to your device.
2. Necklaces.
In some cases, these are more stylish options; in other cases, they are built with functionality in mind, and feature a button and a two-way speaker.
3. Pendant Devices.
Options such as the SOS Mobile Device from Bay Alarm Medical fall somewhere between necklace and pager. This device comes with a belt clip as well as a neck lanyard, so you can carry it however works best for you and have coverage wherever you go.
The most basic senior medical alert “watch”, with a single button to push in case of emergency.
If a senior does not want to carry any of these devices, there are still options. For instance, some people use a weight-sensing floor pad next to the bed to ensure that their aging friend or parent is doing well. The coverage is not as complete, but if you know the general time that the person gets in and out of bed, then you are getting twice-a-day “check-ins” that things are all right.
Question #3. How Easy is the Device to Use?
Aside from not wearing or carrying the medical alert device, a major pitfall to these devices is that, for a variety of reasons, seniors may not use their alert device after a fall.
Automatic fall detection can help with this, but it does not catch every fall and should not be considered a cure-all. That means that, whether or not your device features advanced technology, you need to consider whether the user would be able to operate the device if they are in a state of distress.
If using an Apple Watch is second nature, a person might be able to navigate it during an emergency, but in many cases, it would be better to have a simpler interface. One-press buttons are much easier to operate, especially if a senior is dealing with a physical injury or mental confusion.
If you are helping an aging friend or family member in this process, be sure to ask for their thoughts on the various options. Remember that while using certain technology may be second nature to you, it could be overwhelming for another person.
As an added consideration, seniors dealing with vision or hearing restrictions will want to find a medical alert device suited for those needs. There are options available; for instance, there are devices that function through voice interactions to accommodate people with vision challenges.
Question #4. How Easy is the Device to Charge?
This is another often-overlooked detail. Many medical alert devices need to be charged each night, and for some seniors, that’s not realistic. In one memorable instance, I worked with a man who thought that he could remind his mother to charge a device if it only needed to be charged once a week - they typically spoke on the phone each weekend - but was concerned that she would not remember to charge a device if it needed to be plugged in each night.
It’s a reminder that it is important to consider the battery life of these devices, as well as how you charge them. Some options drop right into a stand or console to charge, while others need to be plugged in. For some people, this won’t matter, but it could make all the difference for others.
If you are looking for a device that goes a week without a charge, your options will be more limited, but they are out there. For instance, this lightweight pendant from LifeFone has a battery that lasts up to 10 days and can also be set up to send text and email reminders to the user and/or family members when the battery runs low.
Question #5. Who Do You Want to Contact?
When you think of medical alert devices, you probably think of devices connected to a 24/7 call center. However, this is not the only option; you can also set up your medical alert device to contact family and friends.
There are several reasons you might want to do this. 24/7 call centers provide a range of benefits, but they also come with a monthly subscription cost. Call centers are also limited in their range of response options. They will dispatch trained professionals, but in some non-emergency situations, a senior might prefer to have a trusted friend or family member come by to help them after a mishap.
Every situation is different. If a senior lives in an area where multiple friends and/or family members would be available in case of an emergency, setting up a call list could be a good option. If it is difficult to be sure that someone will be available to take the call, then it might make more sense to use a service.
It is important to remember that time can be essential in emergency situations. If you do elect to use trusted contacts, be sure that they understand the importance of responding quickly if a call comes in, and that they have the flexibility to help in case of an emergency. Cost is a very real concern for many, but remember that passing this responsibility to another person does not make this service free; you are paying with their time instead of your money. This can be highly beneficial if that person can handle the responsibility, but if there is a chance they might not have time available when you have an emergency, paying for the service could be the better option.
Question #6. Are You Interested in Advanced Features Such as Automatic Fall Detection?
Automatic Fall Detection continues to improve with each passing year, and in certain cases, it can be a lifesaver. Medical emergencies that result in a fall can leave a person disoriented or unconscious, and in those cases, Automatic Fall Detection may be the only way to signal for help.
That said, Automatic Fall Detection is not a cure-all. It is not guaranteed to register every fall, and there is also the possibility that it registers a “false positive.” A false positive is not a problem if the user can cancel the alert. However, if a senior struggles to navigate their medical alert system, or is in a place where they do not hear the alert, problems can ensue. There are stories of concerned emergency responders breaking down front doors trying to reach what they believe to be an injured, unresponsive person, only to discover it was all a misunderstanding.
Needless to say, this could be a stressful event for a senior, particularly if they are dealing with any sort of cognitive decline. That is not to discourage you from using Automatic Fall Detection in your medical alert system - as mentioned, it can be a life-saving tool - but to help you understand all of the considerations involved with using this particular technology.
Bonus Tip: Set Up A Coded Keypad Entry or Lockbox!
A door access code can be a game-changer in emergency situations!
If you set up a Medical Alert System that contacts friends, family, or emergency services, it can be helpful to have a key accessible at the door. If your device is set up to contact a list of family members or friends who may need to come to your assistance, having the key available ensures that they will be able to get in. You can also hand keys out, but this can lead to problems; a person may leave their copy of a key at home, leading to a costly delay. In one memorable case, a client had asked her neighbors to keep a copy of her key in case of an emergency, but the neighbors went south for several months each winter, which would have made it difficult for anyone to get the key from them!
All of this can be avoided with a lockbox or coded entry. You can also relay lockbox access information to an Emergency Responder; it is important to note that not all Emergency Responders will use the lockbox or coded entry, but there is a chance it could save you a door!
Next Steps
Medical Alert Systems can be a useful tool to help seniors age in place successfully, but they are only one piece of the puzzle. While it is good to get help if a fall does occur, the better alternative is to avoid the incident in the first place, and there are some simple steps you can take to decrease that risk. Learn more in our articles on Simple Steps to Improve Senior Home Safety and Steps to Optimize Bathroom Safety for Seniors