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I am researching a medical alert system for a client. Anyone have one they recommend.Looking at monitored systems that do not have contracts. Thanks
Several of my clients use Phillips Lifeline. Phillips offers a basic alert system and also extra monitoring such as fall detection and GPS for outside of the home. They also have a device for prescription management. They have great customer service as well.
One of my clients had LifeAlert for several years, and another client has had GreatCall for the past two years. For the $30/month version, LifeAlert comes with a machine that must be hooked into your phone line, and only works in the confines of your apartment or home. You buy the machine and pendant, so when you discontinue use, you don’t return them. (I think they have a $50/month version that is more portable)
We just switched the LifeAlert client to GreatCall for a couple of reasons. GreatCall is also $30/month. Most important, the pendant can be taken anywhere (like a cellphone) because it works with GPS – good for my clients who travel alot. The pendant is just a bit bigger and heavier than the LifeAlert pendant, but not enough to be bothersome. One client wears hers around her neck, the other on a clasp on her pants.
The only downside to GreatCall is that the pendant does need to be charged daily, so we leave the charger next to her bed. That way, at night the pendant is being charged and it is within easy reach for emergency night use.
GreatCall has a deal that if one client refers another, both get a free month, so both my clients benefited a bit from the switch.
I had read that there could be problems with discontinuing service from LifeAlert, but we did cancel with a call to their customer service dept (although the rep tried to convince us that their service was “far better” than GreatCall’ s). GreatCall advertises that there is no contract, so I hope that won’t prove to be a problem with them either should we need to cancel.
I don’t know about LifeAlert, but GreatCall also has more advanced systems that can cost more, such as fall detection.
Fortunately, neither client has actually needed to use their pendant, but both systems request that you test them periodically. You choose a code that is basically “everything’s OK”. If the pendant is activated, and they don’t get a response, or the wrong response, they immediately call 911.
Hope that answers some of the questions, and provides enough information should you decide to look into either of these systems or any others.
Philips Lifeline also has a system which incorporates GPS tracking. They provide great customer service as well. One added device they have is a medicine gizmo which dispenses pills according to prescription guidelines and a reminder system if pills are not taken according to the predetermined schedule. It’s worth it to research all systems available in your area and according to what your client needs and can afford.
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