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The 3 Best Bracelet Medical Alert Systems

Published: September 9, 2023

It’s normal and understandable to want to remain as independent as possible as you age, but seniors should be aware of the risks. Aging comes with mobility challenges that can make falls more likely, and over 800,000 people are hospitalized for fall injuries each year. Seniors 65 and older are also more likely to have a chronic disease compared to adults aged 45 to 64. Medical alert devices can be a solution that allows seniors to maintain independence while giving peace of mind that wearers will have the help they need if they should become injured after a fall or in the case of a medical emergency.

Medical alert systems come in a variety of styles, including necklace and bracelet options. Buttons worn around the wrist as bracelets are convenient as they work with in-home, mobile, or combination systems. They are also more gender neutral than the common alternative of wearing a help button as a necklace. Because they are held securely in place around the wrist, they are easy to access in case of an emergency. They can also be worn in the shower and while sleeping without feeling uncomfortable or out-of-place.

Regardless of a senior’s schedule or lifestyle, there is a medical alert system that can meet their needs while matching their personal preferences. In this guide we discuss many benefits of bracelet medical alert systems and compare three of the best systems on the market. We also offer guidance on how to choose a medical alert bracelet system with the features you want at a price you can afford that provides reliable and comprehensive protection.

 

Why You Should Get a Bracelet Medical Alert System?

Medical alert bracelets are discrete, portable, and easy to use and ensure that seniors have access to help wherever they go. Typically synched with a second device that has a two-way speaker, cellular service connectivity, and GPS-tracking, emergency operators respond quickly at the push of the bracelet’s help button and will send assistance to a user’s exact location.

 

Some additional benefits of bracelet medical alert systems include:

 

  • Portable and offers protection in and beyond the home when used with a mobile system
  • Comfortable when worn at night while seniors sleep
  • May be less identifiable as a medical safety device than other options
  • Preferable to those who do not wish to wear a device that looks like a necklace
  • Typically paired with a main device, pressing a medical alert bracelet button enables help to be sent to your exact location

The 3 Best Bracelet Medical Alert Systems for Seniors

Brand Product Cost* GPS? Fall Detection? Water Resistant? Range** Battery Power
Bay Alarm Medical SOS All-In-One $39.95/mo Yes Yes, for an additional $10/mo Yes 600 ft Up to 3 days (72 hrs)
Medical Guardian Mobile 2.0 $41.20/mo – $44.95/mo Yes Yes, for an

additional $10/mo

Yes 500 ft Up to 5 days
LifeFone At-Home & On-the-Go $36.95/mo- $39.95/mo Yes Yes, for an additional $10/month Yes -1,400 ft from in-home base unit

-600 ft from mobile device

-30 hrs for base unit

-24 hours for mobile unit

*Some plans may be eligible for free shipping and a free month of service or other offers.

**Range is the operational distance between a wearable button and either the in-home base unit or main mobile device.

Bay Alarm Medical SOS All-In-One- Most Comprehensive System

Bay Alarm Medical has been keeping its users safe for over 70 years with its top-rated medical alert systems. Known for innovative products that meet a range of customer’s needs, Bay Alarm Medical has recently added a new all-in-one medical alert device to its offerings, the SOS All-In-One.This device is designed for active seniors who need the ability to summon emergency help whether at home or on-the-go.

The main component of the SOS All-In-One system is compact and lightweight for easy portability. The device is equipped with an emergency help button and a two-way speaker to enable communication with a dispatcher straight through the device. A wearable help button, that when pressed connects users with dispatchers over the main device, is also a part of the SOS All-In-One system. This button can be worn as a bracelet around the wrist while the main device is charging or when the user sleeps at night, offering continual 24/7 protection. With up to 72 hours of power, a strong and reliable AT&T or Verizon connection, and convenient GPS-tracking, users of the SOS all-in-one system know that they can get help when they need it with just the push of a button. Pricing starts at $39.95/mo and is $49.95/mo with the addition of fall detection.

Product SOS All-In-One
Cost $39.95/mo*
GPS? Yes
Fall Detection? Yes, for an additional $10/mo
Water-Resistant? Yes
Range 600 ft
Battery Power Up to 3 days (72 hrs)

 

*Some plans may be eligible for free shipping and a free month of service.

Pros and Cons of Bay Alarm Medical SOS All-In-One

Pros

  • The help button bracelet provides continued protection while the main device charges or while you sleep
  • A caregiver app allows families to monitor their loved one’s location and the device’s battery level
  • Come with a 30-day trial period and unused months (minus shipping costs) will be refunded upon subscription cancellation
  • Has four colorful charms to add style to the standard help button

 

Cons

  • Fall protection is an extra $10/mo cost and requires a $30 device fee
  • The portable all-in-one system has a shorter range of use compared to in-home systems
  • The main device contains a strong magnet and should not be worn around your neck if you have a pacemaker

 

Learn more about Bay Alarm Medical

Medical Guardian Mobile 2.0- Best Battery Life

Medical Guardian medical alert devices have among the longest battery life and furthest signal range in the industry. The company earned a first place ranking across 11 third-party review sites not only because of its high-quality devices, but also due to its exceptional emergency services. The operators at the Medical Guardian Monitoring Center hold TMA Five Diamond certification and are trained to provide efficient and reliable support to customers.

While Medical Guardian has several in-home options, seniors who need a system that they can use on-the-go may find that Medical Guardian’s Mobile 2.0 is the perfect solution. Weighing only 1.7 ounces, the Mobile 2.0 is approximately half the size of traditional systems, yet provides  advanced location monitoring using GPS, WiFi and 4G LTE and has a battery life of up to 5 days. For added convenience, the Mobile 2.0 can sync with a separate add-on bracelet. Cost for the system ranges from $41.20/mo to $44.95/mo and fall detection is an additional $10/mo.

 

Product Medical Guardian Mobile 2.0
Cost $41.20/mo – $44.95/mo
GPS? Yes
Fall Detection? Yes, for an additional $10/mo
Water-Resistant? Yes
Range 500 ft
Battery Power Up to 5 days

 

*Some plans may be eligible for free shipping, a free month of service, and/or a free lock box.

Pros and Cons of Medical Guardian Mobile 2.0

Pros

  • Optional OnGuard Alerts send texts and email notifications to family and/or friends during an emergency
  • Comes with free AT&T or Verizon network connectivity
  • The MyGuardian app and desktop portal allow emergency contacts to view user location, activity, and more
  • No equipment, activation, or cancellation fees.

 

Cons

  • All add-ons have monthly fees, ranging from $2.99/mo for the necklace/wristband combo kit to $10.00/mo for fall detection
  • The main device and add-on wearable help buttons are only available in white and/or black.

 

Learn more about Medical Guardian.

LifeFone At-Home & On-the-Go- Best Deal for Couples

LifeFone has been a part of the medical alert services industry since 1976 and brings decades of expertise to its products and services. LifeFone is so confident in the quality of its products that it provides a 30-day money back guarantee on any system in addition to a 100% lifetime warranty that covers every system’s main device.

LifeFone offers many systems that provide comprehensive coverage to seniors while they are at or away from home. Among these is its At-Home & On-the-Go system which features two devices for the price of one. This dual system has both a base station for in-home use as well as a portable mobile unit that functions in locations throughout the United States. Both the in-home and mobile units can be activated with a wearable help button, which can be worn as either a bracelet or necklace, and never require battery changes. This dual system is priced at $36.95/mo to $39.95 with a further $10/mo for optional fall detection.

 

Product At-Home & On-the-Go
Cost $36.95/mo- $39.95/mo*
GPS? Yes
Fall Detection? Yes, for an additional $10/mo
Water-Resistant? Yes
Range -1,400 ft from in-home base unit

-600 ft from mobile device

Battery Power -30 hrs for base unit

-24 hours for mobile unit

 

*Some plans may be eligible for free shipping, a free month of service, and/or a free lock box.

Pros and Cons of LifeFone At-Home & On-the-Go

Pros

  • LifeFone monitors the batteries of the base station and help buttons and will replace them for free once they’re below 20%
  • Spouses are protected at no extra cost with basic service and there are no activation or equipment fees
  • Main devices are backed by a 100% lifetime warranty and systems come with a 30-day money back guarantee
  • Services such as daily check-ins and medication reminders as well as location tracking are available

 

Cons

  • Necklace pendants with fall detection only have a battery life of a year (LifeFone does offer free replacements)
  • Service will be canceled only once LifeFone receives its returned equipment
  • Only full months of prepaid service will be refunded.

How To Choose a Medical Alert Bracelet

There are several things you should keep in mind when looking for a medical alert bracelet. Not only will you need a system with devices that are long-lasting and work well, but you will need skilled and easily accessible emergency operators to dispatch the help you require. These and other considerations are described further below.

Identify reputable companies with good products and services.

Look at customer reviews and various third-party rankings to determine whether or not a company sells quality systems and offers fast and reliable service. Your medical alert bracelet is meant to protect you in case of emergencies, so it is critical that the device is designed well and that those who answer your call for help do so quickly and reliably.

Determine whether the company has customer-friendly policies.

Does the company stand by their products with any type of guarantee that protects you in case of defects? Do they offer free battery replacement and/or cover device servicing? Can you cancel service at any time if a company ends up not being the correct fit? Some companies reimburse partial unused months if you cancel your subscription, while others only reimburse full months which you may want to keep in mind when selecting a plan. While annual plans typically have a lower cost per month when compared to monthly subscriptions, they may be riskier if the company does not have a good cancellation policy.

Determine your budget.

Some company’s medical alert bracelet systems are more expensive than others; however, pay attention to what is or is not included when comparing systems. While some may seem less expensive, you may have to pay an additional monthly fee to add a wearable help button bracelet that syncs to the main system unit. Others come with a bracelet and that cost is already included.

Identify any special needs you may have and whether or not the system meets them.

Some systems read diagnostic information out loud to help users determine if the main system unit is functioning correctly. For those with sight limitations, this may be particularly useful.

What caregiver supports does the system include or are optional services available?

Many companies have apps or portals where loved ones can check on the activity or location of the user of a medical alert bracelet. Further, caregivers may be sent notifications if a help button is activated. These features could be included along with the system or else come with an extra monthly fee. Also keep this in mind when comparing pricing.