MobileHelp vs Medical Guardian

Advanced age, disabilities, and medications can all increase the risk of suffering from a fall or other medical emergency. In fact, one in four seniors age 65 and older fall each year, and these accidental falls are the most common cause of traumatic fatal and non-fatal injuries among the elderly. It’s no wonder that older adults and their loved ones often worry about what could happen if help isn’t close by, which is why medical alert systems are quickly becoming a must-have among seniors.

Medical alert systems provide a simple solution in situations where help is needed, but a telephone isn’t within reach. These devices connect users with a 24/7 monitored emergency response center via a wearable, wireless help pendant or wrist button that’s easy to activate. When a medical alert button is pressed, the user is instantly connected to a medical alert operator through a speakerphone located in the base unit, medical alert pendant or medical alert watch.

While all medical alert systems and service work in much the same way, there are a wide variety of options when it comes to what the help button looks like, what additional features are available, and pricing. To help you decide which personal call system is right for you or your loved ones we’ve prepared a series of articles comparing two of the top medical alert companies.

MobileHelp vs Medical Guardian – Which Medical Alert System is Better?

In this article we’re comparing MobileHelp and Medical Guardian. Both of these companies have a medical smart watch device, however, there are some notable differences when it comes to monitoring and equipment costs. Below you’ll find a chart that compares each of these companies followed by in-depth company profiles and our picks.

Overview of MobileHelp

MobileHelp offers a wide range of in-home and mobile personal help devices at competitive prices, and there are no contracts or hidden fees. The company is based in Florida and provides coverage nationwide.

As with most other medical alert companies, MobileHelp’s in-home, landline-based emergency call system is their lowest-priced option. They also offer in-home systems that are connected to mobile phone networks, and automatic fall detection is available for an additional fee.

MobileHelp is one of the few companies to offer a monitored medical alert smart watch, the MobileHelp Smart. This is a paired-down Samsung smartwatch that is specially-designed to meet the needs of medical alert subscribers. It comes complete with an easy to activate help button along with a number of basic health tracking apps. Unlike MobileHelp’s other devices, users need to purchase the MobileHelp Smart.

MobileHelp also has the TRELAWEAR line of smart jewelry that transforms a traditional medical alert pendant into a piece of functional and attractive jewelry. The TRELAWEAR pendant works with MobileHelp in-home and mobile systems.

Another noteworthy system available through MobileHelp is the MobileHelp Duo, the industry’s only medical alert system designed specifically for use by two subscribers.

Pros of MobileHelp:

• Free app sends authorized caregivers automatic notifications when a subscriber activates their help button
• The MobileHelp smart watch medical alert button is a discrete and functional alternative to regular medical alert wearables
• The TRELAWEAR pendants may help increase user compliance
• Call monitoring is provided through a domestic call center
• Fall detection is available on all cellular-connected systems

Cons of MobileHelp:

• MobileHelp contracts out their call monitoring services to another company
• Fall detection isn’t available on MobileHelp Smart
• The MobileHelp Smart costs $349.95

Overview of Medical Guardian

Medical Guardian is a U.S.-based medical alert company that maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau. They offer a complete lineup of medical alert systems that are designed to be affordable and user-friendly, including the Freedom Guardian, a medical alert smartwatch that costs $99.

One of the systems that makes Medical Guardian stand out is their Family Guardian package. This system combines a traditional in-home medical alert base unit with a help button that has a 1,300-foot range along with three in-home motion detectors. Authorized caregivers check in on their loved ones by tracking activity levels online, and the Family Guardian app sends instant notifications to emergency contacts when a subscriber activates their help button.

Costs for Medical Guardian systems start at $0.97 per day for the Classic Guardian, while the Family Guardian package costs start at $2.58 per day. To get the lowest possible price and a free PIN-protected lockbox, subscribers need to prepay for either a six or 12-month service package, however, prorated refunds are provided to customers who need to cancel their service.

Pros of Medical Guardian:

• No long-term contracts or cancellation fees
• The Family Guardian system combines traditional medical alert monitoring service with activity monitoring
• Fall detection is available on all Medical Guardian systems except the Freedom Guardian
• The range between the Classic and Family Guardian base units and the wearable help buttons is 1,300 feet, which makes these systems ideal for users who live in larger homes
• GPS location tracking is included on the Active Guardian and Freedom Guardian help buttons to ensure first responders can quickly locate a caller

Cons of Medical Guardian:

• The Freedom Guardian medical smart watch costs $99 up-front
• To get the lowest daily monitoring rate, users must prepay for a year of medical alert monitoring service
• Fall detection isn’t offered on the Freedom Guardian smart watch

Our Pick

When comparing MobileHelp with Medical Guardian, it’s difficult to pick a clear winner between these two established medical alert companies. Each offers similar devices and monitoring services, and neither company uses long-term contracts.

Given that MobileHelp has lower monthly monitoring rates than Medical Guardian, we recommend MobileHelp to budget-conscious consumers who are searching for a great deal on their monthly fees.

In terms of medical alert devices, the MobileHelp Smart is a great choice for consumers who want a discrete, easy-to-wear help button that also has a few extra functions, although the $349.95 up-front cost may be a barrier for some users. Alternatively, the Freedom Guardian from Medical Guardian costs $99 upfront and is available in black or white, making this a good option for users who want an affordable and functional medical alert smart watch.

The bottom line is that while each of these companies offer comparable services, consumers should go with the provider that offers the right combination of affordable monthly fees and user-friendly devices.

Compare Other Medical Alert Systems

The right medical alert system can help you or your loved one stay independent at home and in the community. To learn more about other medical alert devices, services and monitoring plans, take a look at more head-to-head comparison articles here.

• Life Alert vs Bay Alarm Medical
• Life Alert vs Philips Lifeline
• Pendant vs Speaker Phone
• GreatCall vs Life Alert
• MobileHelp vs Life Alert
• Life Alert vs ADT
• Alert 1 vs Life Alert
• Life Alert vs Medical Alert
• LifeStation vs Life Alert
• Medical Guardian vs Life Alert
• Medical Guardian vs Bay Alarm Medical
• Bay Alarm Medical vs GreatCall
• MobileHelp vs. Bay Alarm Medical
• MobileHelp vs. GreatCall