Founded in 2005, BrickHouse Security is a nationwide security provider that specializes in systems for individuals, businesses and government organizations. As a fully licensed security company, their client list includes the FBI, NYPD and over 40,000 small businesses worldwide.
BrickHouse Security is based in New York City, and they’ve recently launched BrickHouse Alert, a monitored medical alert system designed for active seniors, people with disabilities and anyone else who needs a personal emergency response system. Unlike many other medical alert companies that offer a variety of wireless help buttons, BrickHouse Alert uses a single, mobile call pendant that works anywhere within the AT&T cellular coverage area.
In this guide you’ll find all the information you need to decide if BrickHouse Alert is the best medical alert system for yourself or your loved ones. We explain all of the features and optional services, costs and monitoring plans below.
Best Features of the BrickHouse Alert Personal Emergency Response System
Despite offering only one medical alert system, BrickHouse Alert’s medical alert system comes with an impressive array of standard and optional features, however, automatic fall detection isn’t available. It does have GPS location tracking, which emergency operators can use to pinpoint a subscriber’s exact location when the SOS button is triggered.
The BrickHouse Alert help button is an all-in-one medical alert device that is linked to AT&T’s 4G LTE mobile network, which provides users with instant access to the call center almost anywhere in the United States. This means subscribers don’t need to have a home phone line to use the service, and the help button can be used while on vacation, visiting family and friends, or running errands.
The water-resistant BrickHouse Alert pendant includes a two-way speakerphone, an SOS button, a wireless charging cradle and a GPS transponder. LED indicator lights on the device illuminate when the SOS button is pressed, the GPS transponder is turned off, and during charging. The pendant itself is black, which may help increase user compliance among those who don’t want to wear a traditional white medical alert button.
Although the BrickHouse Alert device is designed to be worn around the neck, it can also be carried in a pocket, purse or in a belt pouch.
WanderAlert On-Demand GPS Monitoring
What sets BrickHouse Alert apart from the growing number of medical alert providers is their WanderAlert On-Demand GPS monitoring, an add-on service that costs $5 per month.
This innovative service can help caregivers and loved ones monitor the exact location of a BrickHouse Alert user through a secure online portal. Authorized caregivers are provided with a unique WanderAlert username and password that they can use to log on to the WanderAlert interface. Once logged in, WanderAlert users can customize their preferences through the dashboard, also known as the monitoring menu.
The monitoring menu provides a variety of different map views including satellite, street view and hybrid, and users can zoom in and out on the map. To pinpoint the current location of the device, users simply tap the ‘locate on demand’ button. The system can even provide historical tracking data for one day, which may help caregivers determine which direction their loved one is traveling in or what the intended destination is.
Another unique feature of WanderAlert is the geofence option, which lets caregivers set up a virtual safe area for a BrickHouse Alert user. If the user travels beyond the boundaries of their virtual geofence, caregivers will be notified immediately via SMS text messaging. This feature could be helpful for seniors living with memory loss and other conditions that may lead to wandering.
BrickHouse Plans & Pricing
BrickHouse Alert charges a one-time device purchase fee of $79.99 to all new subscribers, which includes the GPS-enabled medical alert pendant, lanyard and a wireless charging cradle.
There are no activation fees or contracts, and BrickHouse Alert customers can choose between a monthly, quarterly or annual service plan. All plans include 24/7 emergency call monitoring, and the WanderAlert feature can be added to any plan for $5 per month.
Costs start at $29.99 per month, while a quarterly service plan costs $89.97 and an annual plan is $299.88 per year ($24.99 per month). Note that BrickHouse reserves the right to increase the price of all plans by up to 9% each year, so these costs are subject to change.
Who Should Use BrickHouse Alert?
BrickHouse Alert’s medical alert system is ideal for seniors, adults with disabilities, lone workers and anyone else who wants a GPS-enabled personal emergency response system that can be used almost anywhere in the United States.
Seniors Who Are Active
Because BrickHouse Alert is an all-in-one device that doesn’t require a landline phone or a base unit, this system may be the right solution for active seniors who want a mobile medical alert help button that they can carry in the community.
Adults Who Are Prone to Wandering
The WanderAlert feature can give caregivers and loved ones added peace of mind by providing a reliable way to monitor the whereabouts of a senior who is prone to wandering. Setting up a geofence through WanderAlert can help reduce the risks faced by those living with Alzheimer’s, dementia and other conditions that impact memory without negatively impacting the seniors’ independence or ability to enjoy everyday activities.
Lone Workers
Although BrickHouse Alert is geared towards older adults and caregivers, this system could be a great safety tool for lone workers who may encounter unsafe situations on the job. Social workers, home care aides, sales reps and others should consider how a BrickHouse Alert system may help reduce the risks that come with working alone.
Pros and Cons of the BrickHouse Alert
There’s a lot to consider when shopping for a medical alert system, and finding the right system can make all the difference in an emergency situation. Take a look over this list of pros and cons before deciding if BrickHouse Alert is the best option for you or your loved ones.
Pros of BrickHouse Alert:
- UL-listed call monitoring center located in the United States
- Operators speak English and Spanish
- No landline needed
- GPS location tracking helps first responders find a caller in an emergency
- BrickHouse Alert will automatically notify emergency contacts when a user activates their SOS button
- The BrickHouse Alert device is safe for use in the shower
- The help button lasts up to 5 days per charge
- The system works off of the AT&T 4G LTE mobile network to provide reliable nationwide coverage
- The medical alert device can be worn as a pendant or carried in a pocket or purse
- No activation fees or contracts
- The WanderAlert feature can be useful for seniors who are at risk of wandering, and it can also be used to improve safety for lone workers
Cons of BrickHouse Alert:
- Customers must purchase their BrickHouse Alert
- No automatic fall detection
- No medical alert smart watch option
- Subscribers need to pay an extra $5 each month for access to the WanderAlert feature
- To get the lowest available monitoring rate, users need to opt for an annual prepaid plan
- Prices may increase by as much as 9% annually
- To cancel, subscribers need to give at least 30 days written notice, otherwise, their plan will automatically renew
With an ever-increasing range of options, features and service providers, finding the right medical alert system can be a real challenge. To learn more about other medical alert companies, be sure to read our other in-depth company profiles and reviews.