With advanced age often comes reduced mobility and medical issues, but with the right supports in place, many seniors can live comfortably and safely in their own homes. Known as “aging in place,” older adults who prefer to remain in their home often find that a monitored medical alert system provides the added security they need. These small, lightweight systems allow subscribers to call for help by simply pressing a button worn on a pendant or a watch-style strap.
MobileHelp Solo is a two-in-one medical alert system that’s designed for use both at home and on the go. This guide provides an overview of the MobileHelp Solo system, including the features, costs and pros and cons.
What You Should Know
MobileHelp Solo is an all-in-one monitored medical alert system from MobileHelp, a Florida-based medical alert company that’s been in business for over 25 years.
MobileHelp maintains exceptionally high standards for its call monitoring center. Every operator must have completed a minimum of two years post-secondary education, or served in the military for two or more years. Operators must also successfully pass a comprehensive background check and intensive six-week in-house training program.
The MobileHelp Solo system combines lightweight, wearable help buttons with a mobile all-in-one help button that works on the AT&T nationwide cellular network. When at home, users can leave the mobile help button on the included charging cradle, and while out in the community, the device can be worn as a pendant or carried in a pocket or purse.
Fall detection is available for an extra fee, and the mobile device is equipped with a GPS transponder that lets MobileHelp operators pinpoint the exact location of a subscriber. The location tracking feature can be useful in an emergency situation, since the medical alert operator can pass the location information on to police, fire or ambulance personnel.
The wearable pendant or wrist-mounted help buttons come with a long-lasting battery that never needs replacing or recharging, while the mobile all-in-one button has a built-in battery that needs to be recharged daily. The system continues to be functional while the mobile button is on the charging cradle.
MobileHelp Solo Plans and Pricing
Pricing for the MobileHelp Solo medical alert system starts at $37.95 per month, and users can save on subscription fees by choosing a quarterly ($104.85), semiannual ($197.70) or annual ($395.40) plan. There are no long-term contracts, and the use of all MobileHelp’s medical alert hardware is included in the monitoring fees.
The optional MobileHelp Fall Button costs an additional $10 per month on all monitoring plans, and waterproof wall-mounted help buttons are available on all plans for an additional $2.95 per month.
Pros and Cons of the MobileHelp Solo Medical Alert System
While all medical alert systems offer the same basic benefits, the features and services vary widely between systems and providers. It’s wise to consider the pros and cons of a medical alert system before signing up with a particular company.
Pros
- MobileHelp Solo comes with two help buttons — the mobile device and either a wrist or pendant-style panic button
- The wearable pendant and wrist help buttons contain a long-lasting battery that never needs recharging
- The mobile device has an integrated help button that works without a pendant or wrist button
- Both MobileHelp Solo help buttons are waterproof for use in wet environments, such as the shower
- The annual subscription plan includes a second in-home help button, which may be a pendant, wrist button or waterproof wall button
- An optional fall detection button is available for an extra $10 per month
- The mobile pendant is equipped with a GPS transponder that can help ensure assistance arrives quickly in an emergency situation
- Mobile connectivity is provided through an integrated cellular SIM card, providing nationwide coverage on the AT&T cellular network
- Call monitoring services are delivered through two U.S.-based call centers located in California and New York
- Medical alert operators are fluent in English and Spanish
- Subscribers can ask that a trusted neighbor, friend or family member be contacted before emergency services are dispatched using the MobileHelp Connect online tool
- No long-term contracts
- Equipment is included in the monthly subscription fee
- No landline needed
- Free lockbox with semiannual and annual plans
- Optional waterproof wall button available
- MobileHelp maintains an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and is FDA-registered
Cons
- No price guarantee, so monitoring costs could increase at any time
- The mobile help button contains a rechargeable battery that must be recharged nightly using the included charging cradle
- As with all other medical alert systems, the fall detection feature isn’t 100% reliable
- The on-the-go pendant is relatively large compared to many other medical alert help buttons
- No option to add a second user to the account
- No discounts offered for a second system in the same household
- The system won’t work in areas without AT&T cellular coverage
- The range between the mobile all-in-one button and in-home help buttons is up to 600 feet, although this range may be reduced by interference from other electronic devices
