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Last Updated: Apr 2024

Top Medical Alert Systems with Fall Detection
Emergency services notified within seconds

Fall detection sends help when a loved one falls, even if they can't press the button themselves. Compare the top devices with fall detection below.

A medical alert device can summon 24/7 emergency help fast.
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Our Best Medical Alert System

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Natural Intelligence does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or your local emergency number immediately.

We find the 10 best options, so you can make informed decisions on tons of products and services.

*Requires a month-to-month agreement with Medical Alert Plus or On-The-Go Emergency Response Systems. First month monitoring due at time of purchase. Excludes taxes. Offer excludes professional installation which may be available upon request for an additional fee. An ADT Medical Alert system is not an intrusion detection system or medical device; ADT is not a ‘911’ emergency medical response service and does not provide medical advice, which should be obtained from qualified medical personnel. Fall Detection monitoring service is only available with Medical Alert Plus and On-The-Go Emergency Response systems. Digital cellular service not available everywhere or at all times. The On-The-Go emergency system and services use and rely on the availability of cellular network coverage and the availability of global positioning system (GPS) data to operate properly. The GPS is not operated by ADT. Prices subject to change. Systems remain property of ADT. Cannot be combined with other offers or discounts and is available for new customers only. Promotion is limited to one (1) discounted Fall Detection Pendant only. No termination fees. 2-day shipping delivery Monday through Friday. Saturday and Sunday delivery are not available. 2-Day shipping valued at $9.99; free activation valued at $29; Fall Detection valued at $11/mo. before promotion is applied. Offer availability 1/1/2024 – 3/31/2024.


@2024 ADT. All rights reserved. The product/service names listed in this document are marks and/or registered of their respective owners and used under license. Unauthorized use strictly prohibited.

†Fall detection pendant does not detect 100% of falls.


Who needs a fall detection sensor?

Fall detection sensors are meant for people—usually seniors—who suffer from illness, fatigue, or certain illnesses which make them prone to falls. In some cases, such a device can even mean the difference between life and death, especially for seniors who live alone and would otherwise have no way to call for help in the event of a fall.

Why get fall detection?

Falls are one of the leading causes of injury or death among older adults. A fall can result in bruises, fractures, and head trauma which can drastically affect an elderly person’s mobility and independence—especially if help doesn’t come quickly. Even if the injury isn’t grave, trepidation about a further fall can cause people to cut down their physical activity and their quality of life can suffer.

How does it work?

Fall detection devices use state-of-the-art technology to gauge your movements and your body, in order to detect sudden movement that would indicate a fall. Most of these devices will have a window of time—usually around 30 seconds—in which the device will be monitored after a fall. If the device doesn’t move in those 30 seconds, the device will determine that the wearer fell and send for help.

Some devices will also include a “kill switch” of sorts, which will send an announcement when the system detects a fall, giving you the chance to cancel the emergency call, thus cutting down on false alarms. Many devices will also have an operator call the system to speak to the wearer to determine if they fell. If there is no response, help is dispatched.

How much do fall detection devices cost?

Fall detection devices typically cost around $40 per month on their own. A better deal is to purchase a comprehensive medical alert system, which usually costs around $35-40 per month and offers fall detection as an added option, usually for around $10 more per month.

Help is Near

The “golden years” are blessed, but they are often marked by illness and a greater vulnerability to injury. A fall detection device is one of the best ways to ensure that your loved one has an extra layer of protection, a security blanket of sorts so that if an accident strikes, help won’t be far away. These devices can also be affordable, so take a few minutes to look around, and find the fall detector you feel comfortable with.

Our Top 3 Picks

  • 1
    Medical Guardian

    Medical Guardian

    • Best ForExceptional customer service
    • Monthly Price$29.95-$44.95
    • Trial PeriodNo

    Medical Guardian has been in business for 16 years and boasts over 300,000 users. Their medical alert systems deliver 24/7 at-home and on-the-go monitoring, while their versatile devices can connect to landlines, WiFi, and cellular networks.

    Chris McDermott, an advanced practice registered nurse and certified life care planner at Intercoastal Consulting & Life Care Planning (ICLCP), states that the company's connectivity options give consumers "the best of both worlds, as some other devices [are] limited to a landline or cellular service." He adds, "[this] service also uses Verizon for its cellular network, which can be helpful if one travels somewhere with limited connectivity and has an emergency."

    Medical Guardian provides monthly, quarterly, or annual subscription options, and offer add-on services, such as fall detection, at an extra cost. Long-term contracts are not required, and the initial subscription fee includes the price of the equipment.

    Why we chose Medical Guardian: Medical Guardian offers features like automatic emergency response, fall detection, and an extended signal range of up to 1,400 feet. In addition, their certified Diamond Monitoring Center is available around the clock and notifies your designated contact in emergency and non-emergency situations—no matter which subscription you choose. 

    Our experience: We felt that Medical Guardian's product quiz effectively determined which device best suits our needs. After answering three questions, the site recommended we try Mobile 2.0. This device had an extended, five-day battery life and GPS tracking - fit for active seniors. However, we didn't like that they asked for our contact details before sharing this recommendation.

    Pros
    • No contracts or hidden fees
    • Offers automatic emergency response in case of a fall
    • Long-lasting battery life—up to 168 hours
    Cons
    • No free trials
    • Some services require add-on purchases
  • 2
    MobileHelp

    MobileHelp

    • Best ForMedication alerts
    • Monthly Price$19.95
    • Trial Period30-day free trial

    MobileHelp takes medical alert monitoring to a new level with the most advanced equipment and features available today. Users have access to 24/7 medical support, so they’re always just the press of a button away from help in case of an emergency. In-home systems have a range of 600 ft from the base station, but you can opt for a cellular model that goes with you wherever you go. There are no long-term contracts to be concerned about, and all MobileHelp plans are moderately priced.

    MobileHelp systems let you set up daily medication reminders, so the wearer never skips a medication because they forgot. With seniors and those with memory problems, this is one of the most important features and one that you won’t find with many other medical alert systems (even the top brands). You can also set up mobile connection alerts so that when your MobileHelp system is pressed, an email or text message notification is automatically sent out to a family member or caregiver. Another important feature is the vital signs monitoring. MobileHelp systems monitor signs like blood pressure, weight, blood oxygen saturation levels, and more.

    Pros
    • No long-term contracts
    • Mobile alerts via text and email
    • Medication alerts
    Cons
    • Shorter field range than others
    • Fall detection costs extra
  • 3
    ADT Medical Alert

    ADT Medical Alert

    • Best ForCompetitive prices
    • Monthly PriceFrom $29.99 per month
    • Trial PeriodNo

    ADT offers competitively-priced medical alert monitoring systems for at-home or on-the-go use. With one press of the help button you are connected to senior-sensitive trained experts who can assess your situation, call emergency services and get in touch with your family if necessary. With 6 monitoring centers across North America answering over 19 million alarm signals annually, ADT is one of the industry’s most trustworthy companies.

    Users can expect a fast and smart response from either the base unit or a pendant. Pressing the help button will immediately alert a senior-sensitive trained expert in-house at ADT to help you directly. If you are on the phone, your call will be bypassed so you never have to wait for assistance. The expert can then assess your situation, contact and dispatch emergency services to your home or mobile location and even keep your family up to date with the situation as needed.

    Pros
    • Senior-sensitive trained experts
    • Lifetime warranty
    • On-The-Go mobile solution
    Cons
    • No fire/smoke monitoring
    • No daily check in service

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