Monitored medical alert systems are easy to wear and affordable, making these systems a popular choice among seniors, people with disabilities and those living with chronic medical conditions who want to remain independent in their own homes. There are dozens of medical alert companies that offer similar products and services, and Life Alert continues to be one of the best-ranked providers in the industry.
Established in 1987, Life Alert is the company that coined the now-famous tagline, “Help! I’ve fallen and I can’t get up!” While Life Alert is known for offering simple, user-friendly devices monitored by a Five Diamond-certified call center, Life Alert is also one of the more expensive systems on the market. The company charges a one-time activation fee and requires a lengthy three-year service contract that’s less than ideal for many consumers.
There’s plenty of alternatives to Life Alert that offer similar services and features at lower prices and that don’t require a long-term commitment from subscribers. Below you’ll find our picks for the three best alternatives to Life Alert medical alert systems.
Bay Alarm Medical Alert Systems
Bay Alarm Medical is a highly respected medical alert provider that offers a number of help button systems geared towards users of all ages. Pricing for Bay Alarm Medical systems start at just under $20 per month, and there are no up-front fees, making these systems much more affordable than Life Alert medical alert systems.
Bay Alarm’s In-Home landline system is comparable to Life Alert’s system as both come with a waterproof, wearable help button that connects users to a 24/7 U.S.-based call monitoring center. Unlike Life Alert, Bay Alarm also offers an industry-leading On the Road medical alert help button with crash detection and GPS tracking for use in vehicles.
MobileHelp Medical Alert Systems
MobileHelp’s medical alert systems are another good alternative to Life Alert medical alert systems. Although MobileHelp does charge a one-time activation fee, the monthly monitoring costs start at under $20 per month, and fall detection is available for an extra $10 per month. MobileHelp’s wearable panic buttons are waterproof, making them safe to wear in wet environments such as the shower or bath.
A unique feature of all MobileHelp systems is that they all rely on a cellular connection rather than a landline phone connection. This makes MobileHelp ideal for users who don’t have a landline telephone, as well as those who want the flexibility to place their medical alert system base unit anywhere in their home without worrying about where the phone jacks are.
QMedic Medical Alert Systems
QMedic Medical Alert Systems are a good option for users who want the security of a 24/7 monitored medical alert system combined with advanced health monitoring features.
QMedic stands out for offering real-time compliance monitoring, which lets authorized caregivers and loved ones know if their QMedic subscriber is actually wearing their device through the secure QMedic online dashboard. QMedic’s innovative online dashboard also displays data about users’ activity levels and sleep patterns, critical information that can alert caregivers to changes in the health and wellness of a QMedic user.
Unlike Life Alert, QMedic doesn’t charge any activation fees, and no long-term contracts are required. QMedic also offers a free 30-day trial period for all new subscribers, making this medical alert company great for seniors who want a chance to try out a medical alert system without making a large up-front payment.
While Life Alert is one of the oldest and best-recognized names in the medical alert industry, consumers who are looking for the best alternatives to Life Alert will find there are plenty of options to choose from.
