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.
Fair
Alert1 began in 1988 out of Williamsport, Pennsylvania. At the time, the founder had a grandmother living by herself with no family nearby and he felt concerned for her. He wanted to help by getting her a medical alert system for her home, but found they were all unreasonably priced. He took matters into his own hands and founded Alert1 to help senior citizens. Since this time, Alert1 has grown into a nationwide company that helps save lives.
In-home and on-the-go
There are both in-home and mobile medical alert systems available through Alert1. They're designed similarly to those from other companies, where you simply push a button, get connected to an agent who will ask about your emergency, and then you will receive help right away. You can reach Alert1 24/7/365.
Plenty of choices
For a full overview of the medical alert systems available from Alert1, you can view their product page to see an overview of each one. They include:
Upgrade for a warranty
All devices and systems come with free shipping that takes 2-3 business days. The company boasts that they're the only medical alert service that doesn't charge for devices. However, they do charge for a warranty on your devices. If you spill something on the base or you drop and crack your button, you'll only get a replacement (up to once per year) if you've been paying $8.33/month for Alert1's warranty plan.
Looking for full honesty
Alert1 has been featured by major news outlets like ABC News, Good Morning America, Frontiers in Robotics and AI, Fox News, the Los Angeles Times, Washington Business Journal, and the Florida Times Union. They have an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau, which is great. There are also over 1,500 customer reviews on Alert1's website that we believe are all real. However, every single one of them gives the company 5 out of 5 stars, and we know realistically this can't be a full report of people's feedback. Clearly Alert1 doesn't post anything critical about themselves for people to read (we get it) but we had to look elsewhere for a full overview of how people viewed this service.
Customer service issues and faulty equipment
We found that some people were completely pleased with Alert1 and hadn't run into issues, but there were also a lot of reports about problems with poor customer service and billing issues. Some advice we saw was not to sign up for the yearly plans because they make it hard to cancel or get refunds for unused portions of the service if you don't need it. Sometimes people have transmission issues and other things that make their devices feel less than useful.
Too many options
Overall we felt like Alert1 almost had too many medical alert systems for us to choose from. If they could condense and simplify their options, it would likely make it easier for both customers and the company. It could help with billing issues and just simplify processes. It's nice that they offer free shipping, but overall we don't feel like you're getting a way better deal here than you might elsewhere, especially if you are adding fall detection to your service and paying for the warranty each month. The ratings we found outside of Alert1's site were a little discouraging, so we haven't given this company one of our top scores.
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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