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Updated 6/14/2019
Ask anyone who watches television, and they’ve probably seen the commercial for Life Alert. It is the market leader in medical alert systems, and the first name someone thinks of when discussing medical alert systems.
However, since we last checked, it’s also the most expensive medical alert system out there. Life Alert has a $95 startup cost in addition to a $29.95 monthly subscription. The service also requires a three-year contract, which is ridiculous in the case of long-term care or death. Life Alert prices are hard to find because the company doesn’t publish prices on their website. You have to call to get pricing information.
Life Alert doesn’t offer the automatic fall detection option, which is one of the most essential features of a medical alert system. Falls are the leading cause of injuries and death among seniors. In 2014, American seniors suffered 29 million falls, which resulted in seven million injuries, tens of thousands of deaths, and approximately $31 billion in Medicare costs.
Many don’t realize there are Life Alert alternatives out there. As usual with buying any product, it’s best to shop around to make sure you’re getting the best deal. You don’t have to compromise safety or reliability to get a deal on a medical alert system for your loved one.
Here are three affordable Life Alert alternatives that may work for your family.
1. Bay Alarm Medical
Bay Alarm Medical is one Life Alert alternative with several benefits not offered by Life Alert. Bay Alarm Medical has no contracts or startup costs. Even without a contract, service plan prices never increase. They offer monthly, quarterly, or annual service plans ranging from $25 to $29 monthly.
Additionally, Bay Alarm Medical provides free spouse coverage and multilingual services, which are two features not offered by Life Alert. Bay Alarm Medical users can save $119 in their first year compared to one year of Life Alert service. The savings are even higher over the typical three years of Life Alert’s contract term.
Bay Alarm Medical is able to provide this low-cost Life Alert alternative because they don’t carry the expense of costly television advertising campaigns. A lower cost for the company means they can offer lower cost services to their customers.
The video below also gives a good overview of their medical alert systems and their key features.
2. Mobile Help
Mobile Help medical alert systems come in various devices based on typical use and need. Mobile Help offers devices that can be used away from home, as well as in the home. Some of their systems feature a base station using cellular technology with no landline required. This technology allows the user to be protected inside and outside their home – even while running errands.
Mobile Help systems also include medication reminders, mobile GPS, waterproof watches and pendants, two-way communication and monitoring, and automatic fall detection. Plans range from $19.95 to $41.95 monthly, depending on the device selected, which may not include all features.
Payment plans are also available on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual basis with no contract required. Mobile Help devices are a good Life Alert alternative because of the flexible options and pricing for the families that don’t require every possible feature.
3. LifeStation
LifeStation systems are another affordable Life Alert alternative that are available in various options depending on user needs. LifeStation systems can be based on a home telephone service or an independent cellular service that allows a user to be protected while on the go.
Monthly fees range from $25.95 to $29.95, with monthly, quarterly, and annual payment plan options. No contracts are required for LifeStation service, and the fee is guaranteed not to change.
Mobile GPS and fall detection are standard features of LifeStation systems. Pendants and wristbands are waterproof, and the pendant has a range of 500 feet from the base station for whole-home coverage. Two-way voice capability is included, and the pendant also offers a speakerphone feature for telephone calls.
Users can add optional accessories to their LifeStation plans for an extra monthly fee, including service for an additional user, a lock box to provide home access to caregivers, and additional help buttons to place in various locations around the home.
Choosing the Right System
The options above are just three examples of affordable Life Alert alternatives. It’s a good idea to compare the prices and options of each system to help you decide which system to select for your loved one. Not all systems offer fall detection, and although all seniors don’t need a fall detection feature, it’s important to make sure the system provides the features you need.
Reviews and comparisons are available for your consideration to help you select the right system to meet the needs of your family. A medical alert system – which AARP has for several years strongly recommended for seniors – would give your loved one the protection they need to live safely while giving you peace of mind.
