How do I decide which medical alert system is best? Ask these questions before you decide.

Are you thinking about a medical alert system for yourself or for a loved one? Many senior adults live alone and the risk of falling, being incapacitated for long periods due to illness, or emergency interventions for physical/mental/health issues is a typical concern as we age.

My Mom and I have been discussing a medical alert system for her safety. Like a lot of senior adults on a fixed and limited income, she worries about the costs and she doesn’t want me paying for it. I want the best for her safety but I want to be sure we (she) makes a wise investment. This is one of those difficult conversations that we at The Guardian’s Gift sometimes talk about: which one, how much, what all does it do, and many more questions.

I set out to investigate which one would be the best for her situation. I quickly discovered that, like most things, there is a ton to learn, know and ask. So, I thought I’d at least share the questions you might want to ask as it relates to your particular situation and location. This investigation is part of legacy planning that isn’t part of estate planning. Helping your loved one gracefully maintain a sense of dignified independence while keeping them safe is your sharing in their legacy journey.

I’ve actually included a comparison chart for your convenience and use at the end of this blog.

1. Costs?

Set up and installation fees?
Activation fee?
Monthly fee(s)?

2. Advance Payment Discounts

Are there discounts if you pay for a longer term versus monthly?
Senior Discounts?
Other Discounts?

3. Monitoring Agreement Term – Read the fine print!

You agreed to purchase or rent a personal emergency tracking device from a company and subscribe to monitoring services which will be provided by a third-party subcontractor call center. The company agrees to provide monitoring services for the device in accordance with the terms and conditions of the agreement

4. Repairs or Replacement Charges

Who is responsible for any servicing, repairs, or replacement problems or parts?

5. Cancellation Policy & Discounts

Can the contract be canceled at any time without a penalty?
Are payments prorated if not used for an entire month or contract period?
What about refunds?

6. Equipment

Who owns the equipment?
Does it have to be returned at the death of the user?

7. Approximate Button Range in Typical Home

How far from the equipment is the range?
Can the user go outside or even leave the house?
What happens when they go on a trip, grocery, doc appointment?

8. Watch/Button Battery Life

How long is the battery life?
Does it use special batteries or are they common and easy to find?

9. What Happens if I Lose Power?

Is there a backup?

10. Is the Watch/Button Waterproof?

What happens if it gets wet?

11. How Can The Button Be Worn?

Wristband
Necklace style
Other

12. Is The Equipment UL Certified?

13. Does The System Automatically Test Itself To The Monitoring Center?

Does the user have some tasks to perform to test the system?

14. Is There 24 Hour Technical & Customer Support?

15. Where Is The Monitoring Station Located?

Is the station TMA (The Monitoring Association) Five Diamond Certified?

16. What Is The Typical Response Time When Button Pressed?

How does it work if the button is pressed? Who is notified and how?

17. How Fast Does System Ship?

How soon can I get one and get it monitoring my loved one?

18. Do You Need Separate Systems For Mom & Dad?

19. Is There Both Activity and Inactivity Monitoring?

Can you tell if the user is simply asleep or if there is another problem?

20. Is There A Fall Detection Function?

21. Cellular or No Phone Line

Does this system work through a land line only or is there a mobile function?
Check fees for mobile functionality.

22. Non-GPS Mobile Alert System For Protection On The Go?

See question 7 above

23. What About Smoke or Carbon Monoxide Protection?

24. Is There GPS Medical Alert Tracking System?

This is especially important for someone suffering with dementia or some cognitive decline.

25. Special Offers?

As always, I hope this information is helpful. Should you need further assistance or find you’re ready to create your legacy plan please reach out and make an appointment. The Guardian’s Gift is all about creating a legacy plan beyond ordinary estate plans.

Download the chart here .

~Dr. Judy

PS. Don’t forget the comparison chart. I hope you find it helpful.