Since 2008, LifeAlert pendants have been used more than 615,000 times in emergency alert situations when the user was home alone and unable to get to the telephone, according to the company’s website.
LifeAlert — the company behind the infamous “I’ve fallen, and I can’t get up” television commercials that helped to spread awareness of these issues decades ago — is one of dozens of companies offering emergency alert pendants for elder safety.
What are emergency alert pendants?
In their basic form, emergency pendants offer a wearable button that seniors can press in an emergency, such as a fall. Some companies make mounted options that can be placed in the shower or similar locations where they might be needed.
Like home alarm companies monitor for intrusion and dispatch the police, medical alert companies contact emergency help when an emergency alert pendant’s button is pressed. In some cases, seniors can talk to support personnel or family through the pendant itself.
Smartwatches, phone apps becoming more popular
LifeAlert is the company you might have heard of, but there are many more names to consider when shopping for a medical alert pendant to help keep your mom or dad safe. One important consideration is whether the company is expected to be around long-term, because emergency monitoring is a critical part of the service. You’ll also want to look at the technology options to ensure that the device is simple to use (easy to charge/change batteries, buttons that are intuitive).
Features differ among the various major brands. Some pendants can detect falls on their own, obviating the need for the wearer to press the button to summon help. Other pendants offer GPS location technology that assist in finding a loved one who may be prone to wandering. Some companies have added smartwatches to their equipment offerings, giving seniors the choice of wearing the device around their neck or on their wrist. Another popular feature are smartphone apps that share real-time updates with family members.
What companies are selling emergency pendants for seniors?
Many options are available. Here are a few to consider:
- Guardian Security, based in Seattle, has a branch office on Kentucky Street in Bellingham.
- ADT, known for its home burglar and fire alarms, has jumped into the medical alert field as well.
- Senior Safety, based in California, serves the entire state of Washington with its home and mobile alert systems.
- Medical Care Alert has a monitoring center that has been recognized for quality by the Central Station Alarm Association and Caring.com.
- LifeStation offers both home and mobile solutions.
- Medical Guardian has a smartwatch option, and both the pendant and watch can detect falls.
- Bay Alarm Medical also offers a smartwatch, with features such a side-mounted SOS button for emergencies.
- Aloe Care Health offers a smartphone app that allows caregivers to get real-time updates and communicate with loved ones via a smart hub in the person’s home.
For a good overview of the options available, check out this article from TheSeniorList, which reviewed several options and offered a few suggestions based on criteria such as cost, reliability, ease of use, features and customer care.