Where is the Best Place to Purchase a Medical Alert System? Medical alert systems bring an added sense of safety to the wearer and give peace of mind to their loved ones. For elderly or disabled individuals who live independently, it's important to have a quick means of communication to alert someone in case of an emergency. This could be a fall, the onset of a heart attack, or some other medical crisis. Medical alert systems contact emergency services to provide urgent care to the wearer.
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ADT has been a big player in the home and personal security industry for over 150 years. Today they employ over 17,000 people throughout their 9 monitoring centers and 200+ locations in the United States. ADT offers 24/7 monitoring for systems like indoor and outdoor home security, small business security, and health and senior safety. They compete with companies like Ring, Brinks, Vivint, SimpliSafe, and Comcast Xfinity.
Choose your package and payment schedule
There are three main medical alert packages offered by ADT with 24/7 monitoring, all with slightly different pricing. The first is the "On-The-Go" system that includes a mobile base unit, a wristband, neck pendant, or optional fall detection button (for $11 more per month), and has GPS location capabilities. You could choose to pay upfront for this service and get a full year of monitoring for $443.88 (comes with free shipping), pay $119.97 quarterly (comes with free shipping), or pay $41.99/month. This medical alert system is great for people who either stick close to home or travel far away.
For the homebodies
For those who don't leave the house much, but like to wander around their yard throughout the day, the "Medical Alert Plus" system is ideal. This system includes either a black or white wristband, a neck pendant, or a fall detection pendant (costs an extra $11/month). It has an in-home operation base that allows for up to 600 ft. of pendant range and even monitors your home temperature. This system is $419.88/year, $113.97 quarterly, or $39.99/month.
The bare bones
The most basic system from ADT is the "Medical Alert Basic" package. This includes an in-home base unit that requires a landline and offers 300 ft. of pendant range. It has two-way talk and also monitors the temperature of your home. It's much less expensive at just $323.88/year, $89.97 quarterly, or $31.99/month. This is the bare minimum type of system you can have to give you peace of mind inside your house without having all the bells and whistles. It's good for someone who lives independently, is mostly in good health, and can get around without too much trouble.
Add some accessories
There are a few optional accessories you could purchase to go along with any ADT system. The first is a waterproof emergency button that can be mounted to a shower or bedside table that comes with an added fee depending on your chosen payment schedule. ADT offers a lockbox for $29.99 so you can keep a door key accessible for anyone who needs it to get into your home. And lastly, a leather carrying case for your on-the-go device that includes a belt clip can be purchased for $10.
Price lock guarantee
The main promotion that ADT was offering for medical alert systems was $5 off monthly monitoring plus free 2-day shipping and a free lockbox. This offer does require that customers sign up for a month-to-month agreement and pay a $99 activation fee. Regardless of which system you go with, ADT has a ForeveRate guarantee ensuring the price you sign up at is the price you'll keep forever.
Unanswered questions
ADT's website is really straightforward, but it's almost so simple that it leaves us wanting more information. For example, what are all the capabilities of the in-home operation base? Does it show if your pendant or wristband has a low battery? What type of batteries do all these products use? Or are they rechargeable? An FAQ section to answer some of these types of questions would be really useful. If you want to see an overview of how ADT's medical alert systems work, they do include a short video that shows someone using the devices.
Devices stay under warranty
As long as you're an active customer, your ADT devices fall under the Premium Protection Plan that covers you in case of an accidental drop or spill that causes damage to the product. It costs nothing extra and stays in effect as long as you remain a customer.
Poor customer ratings
The Better Business Bureau gives ADT an "A" rating. However, it's hard to get a good gauge of how people feel about the medical alert system branch of their company. Truthfully, we saw some pretty atrocious reviews about their overall customer service, inaccurate billing, poor quality on video cameras, and more. Many of these relate more to home security systems than they do to medical alerts. Still, there are so many issues people have with customer service that we worry this could bleed over.
Leery of customer service
What we like most about ADT is their pricing transparency and how straightforward their products are. They don't leave much to the imagination about what you'll receive with each package or how much you'll be charged. We like that you could do month-to-month or longer contracts depending on how much you want to pay or how long you anticipate a need. They have been around a long time and have made a big name for themselves, but we are concerned about their customer connections and how easy they are to work with, so ADT has earned an average rating for its medical alert systems.
Continued from above...
Medical alert systems bring an added sense of safety to the wearer and give peace of mind to their loved ones. For elderly or disabled individuals who live independently, it's important to have a quick means of communication to alert someone in case of an emergency. This could be a fall, the onset of a heart attack, or some other medical crisis. Medical alert systems contact emergency services to provide urgent care to the wearer.
You might think, "Why not just use a cell phone to call for help"? Well, sometimes the time it takes to dial a phone number or look up a phone contact will take too long. Also, it's likely that if someone fell out of their car or even around the house, they may not have their phone in hand. Plus, some patients who show signs of dementia may get confused and not know who to call when it comes down to it - or not have the dexterity to dial.
Medical alert systems can be worn as a bracelet or necklace, so they stay out of the way, but are conveniently accessible at all times. Some companies have shower-mounted devices that can withstand heat and moisture. No matter how you wear your device or where it is, the point is that they're as easy as clicking a single button to connect to an operator and ask for help. A neat feature available with some medical alert systems is the ability for the device to detect a fall before the person even calls for help. This could be life-saving if someone was unable to speak or move due to their fall.
There are quite a few companies that offer medical alert services. Some have a long-established history and tons of feedback from customers. Others are newly entering the industry, so it's important to do a lot of research about each one to find a company that will be responsive to the wearer, keep up-to-date with latest technologies, and be around for a long time. Look for a company that's really transparent with their pricing so you won't be overpaying or confused about what the price will be month-to-month.
We've thoroughly explored many of the companies that sell medical alert systems. They each offer a slightly different variety of features and pricing plans, so you'll need to go with the one that will be the best solution for yourself or your loved one. We've highlighted a few things that we recommend you look for specifically as you shop around:
To give you the best, most reliable experience with a medical safety device, the experts at Top Consumer Reviews have vetted multiple companies and done plenty of research on the pros and cons of each. We hope this information proves valuable guidance to help you find a medical device company that gives you an added sense of safety!
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How to Choose a Medical Alert System
Each year many sick and elderly people encounter accidents and health issues that needlessly take their lives. Medical alert systems can make all the difference in the world for those living alone and in distress. In an emergency, medical alert units create a direct line of communication to needed assistance. If a person falls or becomes ill they simply press a button on a pendant or wrist transmitter to gain the attention of an emergency specialist. That person will immediately call the authorities to send help if needed. The fear of a loved one waiting hours or even days for assistance is no longer an issue with a medical alert system available.
If this is your first medical alert system purchase you may be looking for help with choosing the right device. Making a well informed decision will ensure you get the most for your money and are satisfied with the end result.
There are several important elements to consider when choosing a medical alert system. Some of these include:
Equipment
Not all equipment is created equal. The medical alert button needs to be easy to wear and use. Some may want a unit that's water proof and sturdy to handle showers. If hearing is an issue you'll want a unit that is easy to adjust and has adequate volume options. Knowing the size of the home and how far the transmitter will reach is also important. You'll want UL tested equipment with
a good
history. Look for products with a battery back-up should the power go out. Also look to see how often batteries need to be replaced. Some batteries last a few months while others last for years. Ask about installation and if a professional is required and how much that will cost.
Warranty
If something happens to the equipment you'll want to make sure it comes with a guarantee. Preferably, the company will replace any broken equipment at no cost. Also look for a company that regularly tests the in home system for good working . Are extended customer support hours available should an issue or question come up about the equipment.
Monitoring Center
In the event of an emergency you'll want a company that provides fast, top notch service. A monitoring company that utilizes its own employees, and doesn't outsource, will most likely provide the best overall service. One that is accountable and well staffed. Does the monitoring company have back-up power, during outages, and are they UL certified?
Cost and Contracts
All medical alert companies price their equipment and monthly monitoring fees differently. Some will sell you the equipment and then charge a monthly fee while others will allow you to rent the equipment and including the monitoring costs in the monthly charges. Some require a several year contract while others are more flexible. If you decide to cancel the contract early
you
may encounter an early termination fee. Make sure you understand any fees associated with a medical alert system you're considering.
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