As a majority of Americans are ready to step into retirement in the coming years, with around 50.3% of adults aged 55 and higher already out of the workforce due to retirement; technology and smart home devices are rapidly making retirement for some seniors a lot more relaxed and convenient.
Smart home devices can now be found in nearly every household in America, with close to 12% of the populationalready living with or planning to obtain some form of smart tech device for their house. These devices range from security and motion sensor systems to automatic door/window locking devices and outdoor cameras.
Whether you’re already in retirement, or perhaps planning to do so in the next few years, smart tech such as medical alert systems has become a major game-changer for many people who are looking to age in place. These systems, whether in-home or on the go, make life a bit easier, comfortable and give them peace of mind when it comes to their health and safety.
Today, American consumers have a plethora of top medical alert systems to choose from, ranging from ultra-high-tech and modern, to the most basic PERS (personal emergency response system) apparatus.
While researching and finding the most suitable system or device that can take you hours to do so, we’ve compiled the five best medical alert systems any senior should be looking at when planning their retirement.
Looking at a variety of factors such as affordability, features, in-home, mobile, and best response time – these are the smart medical alert systems you should have.
Most Affordable
Retirees are prone to spend less and save more, as Americans aged 65 and older spent on average $47,579 annually as per 2020 indicators. Having the best system, while not breaking the bank, is considered the most important factor of all.
MobileHelp
- Price Range: $19.95 – $39.95 per month
- Fall Detection Cost: $10 per month
- Additional Fees: None
The MobileHelp medical alert system works for both in-home and on-person and works on a range of 1000 feet. The device can be wall-mounted, or you can choose to have an SOS button on your PERS device. It also features location tracking, crash detection, and has a selection of bundle packages available in case you want to modify your existing plan.
Most Features
Having just a basic device or system might not cut it for some seniors, so having more features in one device is one benefit many are looking for.
WellBe Hands-Free
- Price Range: $33.95 – $44.95 per month
- Fall Detection Cost: None
- Additional Fees: No activation or contract fee, but there is an equipment fee
The device can easily be connected to your smartwatch or smart speaker and works with cell services such as T-Mobile. It features hands-free care, a virtual health assistant, and family recognition. The best is that the WellBe Hands-Free works perfectly for seniors who already have existing smartwatches or smart speakers.
Best In-Home
While wearable technology and PERS devices can be nifty to have, in-home alert systems can act as a security monitoring and medical alert strategy. This will help caregivers and family members more peace of mind for retirees living alone, or remote.
Aloe Care Health
- Price Range: $24.99 – $49.99 per month
- Fall Detection Cost: None
- Additional Fees: No activation or contract fee, but there is an equipment fee
Although this in-home system only has a range of 200 feet, other systems or devices don’t come near its features. Boasting air quality sensors and temperature control settings, seniors and retirees can control most of the system via their mobile app. It also has a caregiver app in case of emergencies and has a voice-activated Smart Hub.
Best Mobile
Although in-home security and safety are crucial, the same goes for those seniors who plan on being a little bit more active and mobile during their golden years.
Medical Guardian
- Price Range: $29.95 – $49.95 per month
- Fall Detection Cost: $10 per month
- Additional Fees: No activation or contract fee, but the Mini Guardian sells for $124.95 once-off.
This device can be worn as a neck pendant, or on your wrist. It does however feature a wall button with voice activation. The device has a user-friendly mobile app, which can communicate with family members and caregivers. It comes with a lockbox, wearable buttons, and Freedom Guardian has a smartwatch style that most seniors prefer over other wearable tech devices.
Best Response Time
Quick response and rapid assistance can make a big difference for seniors who are living with chronic illness and disease. More so, those who live in rural areas, or far from any nearby medical facilities will need the best systems with the quickest response times.
LifeStation
- Price Range: $22.95 – $37.95 per month
- Fall Detection Cost: $5 per month
- Additional Fees: No equipment or contract fees, but some packages require an activation fee.
LifeStation has the best automatic alert systems and responsive monitoring when compared to other medical alert systems. It can easily be connected with an Amazon Alexa and has a range of 500 feet in-home. It can also be used as an on-the-go device, has a lifetime warranty, and has a response time of 20 seconds. It also has a Find My Loved One app for caregivers and families which links with the device.
The Takeaway
While there certainly are more of these medical alert systems available on the market, after much consideration, we’d notice that consumers tend to look at affordability, features, in-home, mobile, and best response time when purchasing any type of medical alert system.
There are however other factors such as senior discount deals and spouse coverage packages that can also influence which device you’re looking to purchase. Overall, we’ve noticed that seniors and retirees want to have a device that’s versatile, easy to use, and hosts some of the best features the medical alert system industry has to offer.