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.
Good
Many medical alert system companies begin with a personal story of trying to keep a loved one safe. Medical Guardian is no exception. They were founded because of the CEO's desire to keep his grandmother connected and safe when she lived alone. The company, headquartered in Philadelphia, now has over 600,000 customers who can take advantage of 24/7 monitoring when emergency help is needed. You may have seen Medical Guardian featured by Forbes, Better Homes and Gardens, Top10, or the National Council on Aging.
Take the device quiz
There are 5 choices for medical alert systems from Medical Guardian. Three of them cater to on-the-go lifestyles and the other two give you coverage when you're at home. There is a product quiz that can help you quickly identify which device makes the most sense for you if you don't want to worry about comparing and contrasting on your own. Otherwise, you can go through each device one by one and explore the features, specifications, what comes included, and pricing.
Compare features and pricing
To simplify the differences between the 3 on-the-go systems, we'll compare them back-to-back to make it easier to see how they are similar and how they're priced:
Stay safe at home
If you're mostly worried about having an emergency contact option at home, there are two systems for this:
Optional add-ons
The add-on options for devices from Medical Guardian are a lockbox for $2.99 that gives emergency personnel access to your home without having to break in, the protection plan for $6.99/month that guarantees that you don't have to pay out-of-pocket expenses for a stolen, lost, or damaged device, fall detection for $10/month, a wireless wall button for $2.99/month, a separate fall detection pendant for $10, a black or white pendant combo kit for $2.99/month, and on-guard alerts for $2.99/month that keeps contacts up-to-date in real-time during an emergency.
No cancellation fees
You can cancel your service with Medical Guardian at any time without having to pay any fees, which is nice. You'll simply call their number and select the cancellation option to initiate this. You'll receive a prorated refund for any unused portion of your subscription that you already paid for. If you're using equipment that wasn't purchased, it will need to be returned in order for the full refund process to go into effect.
High ratings with some cancellation issues
Ratings for Medical Guardian are very good with an "A+" rating from the Better Business Bureau and over 1,000 reviews from customers. People often test their devices and say that the call center is really professional and understanding. Customers are pleased with their rates and say that even after years of having the service, they are happy to continue using it since everything has gone smoothly so far. Here and there we saw some issues where people canceled their service and continued to be billed afterwards, so if there is anything to watch out for here it would be the possibility that canceling may not always be as easy as it should be.
A reasonable choice
The pricing on systems from Medical Guardian is definitely not outrageous, so if you want a few different alert system choices that all fall within a reasonable price range, you'll find that here. Their website is cleanly organized so that it's easy to identify which features your device comes with and how they work. If you need information beyond what you find on the website, they've listed their phone number in quite a few places that you can refer to. Medical Guardian is a solid option for 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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