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March 11, 2022
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The onset of Alzheimer’s or dementia is distressing for both older adults and their caregivers. For caregivers, there’s a very real worry that something will happen to their loved one when they’re alone. In some cases, the onset of Alzheimer’s can lead to moving a loved one to senior housing, but not every family makes this choice. Many live at home, and some even live alone.
It’s natural to worry about what may happen if your loved one falls, becomes ill, or gets confused and doesn’t know where to turn. A medical alert system provides support and reassurance.
A medical alert makes it easier for people to get help when they need it. When an alert is triggered, trained call center staff members can get in contact quickly to assess the situation. Because medical alerts connect to live, trained personnel, there’s less uncertainty about what may happen if a person is confused or can’t communicate. The monitoring center will send help right away.
Modern medical alert devices have features such as GPS and caregiver tracking, which allows you to keep better track of your loved one even when you can’t physically be there.
Pro Tip: In addition to a medical alert, a reliable cell phone can help keep your loved one safe. Read my guide to the best cell phone plans for seniors to learn more.
| Companies evaluated | 24 |
| Hours of research | 180+ |
| Hours of product testing | 400+ |
| Ranking criteria | 5 |
| Finalists chosen | 3 |
Standard medical alert features aren’t always enough for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia. There’s a risk that, due to cognitive impairment, they won’t remember to push the button if something happens. They may also struggle to remember to wear their device on a daily basis.
When we set out to find the best medical alert for people with dementia or Alzheimer’s, here’s what we looked for:
Bay Alarm Medical’s dedication to its customers is second to none. Its systems can be used both in home and on the go, and its reliable monitoring — combined with advanced tracking features — makes it the best medical alert provider for people with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
The company’s in-home systems offer the option of adding voice-activated help buttons, which are an ideal backup for people who misplace their buttons. With a preferred or premium package from Bay Alarm, you’ll have access to caregiver tracking. The Bay Alarm Medical app enables you to check your loved one’s location, and the mobile unit’s GPS enables you to check their real-time coordinates.
Bay Alarm Medical prices are some of the most affordable out there. Its in-home landline system starts at just $19.95 per month, and the rest of its systems are reasonably priced as well. The company doesn’t require long-term contracts, and it even offers a 30-day free trial.
To learn more about my experience with this company, check out my review of Bay Alarm Medical.
A newcomer to the world of medical alerts, Aloe Care Health has quickly become one of my favorites through its combination of reliable monitoring and sophisticated in-home systems. Unlike other medical alerts that require additional pendants for fall detection, Aloe Care Health’s in-home medical alerts use wall-mounted fall detection that creates a digital map of the room.
What I appreciate most about Aloe Care Health, however, is its voice-command feature. With any of its in-home units, users can place emergency calls simply by speaking, which is great for people who are prone to misplacing or not wearing their buttons. Users can also place calls to caregivers, and caregivers can place direct calls to a user’s system for quick check-ins.
At the center of Aloe Care Health systems is its handy smartphone app, on which a loved one can keep track of a user’s system and receive notifications for temperature abnormalities, lack of motion, and any emergency calls placed.
Aloe Care Health prices are a bit steep at first because of the company’s initial $149 equipment-fee charge for its basic system. The upside, however, is that you own your system and subsequent monitoring costs only $29.99 per month afterward.
To learn more about my experience with Aloe Care Health, read my Aloe Care Health review.
Medical Guardian sets the standard in the medical alert industry for not only providing best-in-class equipment but also offering the highest level of customer service. The company offers devices to suit just about any need, from its medical alert watch to mobile systems with GPS tracking.
For those with dementia or Alzheimer’s, I’d recommend the Active Guardian system. This mobile system has built-in fall detection, GPS, and two-way talk, which allows users to take it just about anywhere and still receive help from the monitoring center. I also appreciate that all these features are built into the same compact device, while similar systems often require extra pendants and wristbands. The Active Guardian’s battery lasted more than four days in our tests — the longest I’ve seen in a mobile medical alert.
Medical Guardian’s prices are a bit higher than Bay Alarm’s, but they’re still about average at $29.99 per month, and the equipment is well worth it.
To learn more about Medical Guardian’s mobile unit, check out my hands-on review of Active Guardian. For its other systems, you can read my Medical Guardian review.
Caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer’s can be a daunting task, but a medical alert system can be an integral part of your care plan. To learn more about this technology, check out my pick for 2022’s best medical alert system.
