As you or your family members get older, safety is probably on your mind more often—maybe even daily. Whether an older adult lives alone, has chronic health conditions, or is less steady on their feet than they used to be, it’s natural to wonder if they’re OK when you aren’t there.
One tool families turn to for peace of mind is a medical alert system. But are these systems enough to provide the help they or their family member need?
As you and your family navigate the aging journey, it’s worth taking an honest look at the pros and cons of a medical alert system, from the features they offer to the ways they fall short.
In this guide, we'll discuss:
- What is a medical alert system, and how does it work?
- What medical alert system options are available?
- WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM A MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEM?
- Is a medical alert system or assisted living best?
- How do I make the right choice?
What is a medical alert system, and how does it work?
A medical alert system provides an older adult with immediate access to help, supports their independence, and reduces time to receive care during a crisis. These systems also provide family members and caregivers with peace of mind, whether they live near or far away.
Each system has two essential parts: the equipment itself and the accompanying 24/7 monitoring service.
System Equipment
Medical alert system components consist of the base unit or wearable device and other optional accessories, such as wall-mounted buttons. You may also choose equipment add-ons, such as medication reminders or location tracking, but depending on the system and monitoring provider, additional one-time or monthly fees may be required.
System Functionality
Alert systems include a lightweight help button that can be worn around the neck as a necklace, around the wrist as a bracelet, put into a pocket, or worn around a belt loop—whichever is most convenient.
When they press the alert system button, they’ll be quickly connected to a trained professional. If the alert system includes built-in fall detection, an automatic alert will be sent to the monitoring center when the system detects a fall.
Some medical alert systems include two-way communication so the older adult can speak directly to the monitoring center staff, and the staff member can evaluate the situation and determine the best course of action. Once the staff at the monitoring center assess the situation, they’ll send emergency services if needed.
What medical alert system options are available?
When it comes to functionality and features, you have a handful of choices to make. Depending on your or your family member’s overall health, you should customize those choices to meet any specific needs.
Monitored vs. Unmonitored
A monitored system is connected to a center staffed with trained professionals who oversee the emergency calls and assess the situation quickly, connecting to 911 or a list of emergency contacts. Monitored systems include additional monthly charges, but they also offer benefits and services that unmonitored systems don’t. Staff members at monitoring centers go through rigorous training so they understand how to best respond to an emergency.
Unmonitored systems don’t connect to a central monitoring center. Instead, they automatically connect to an emergency contact or 911. A downside of unmonitored systems is that an older adult may not always need 911 when an incident occurs. In that case, emergency personnel arrive at their home without important contextual information. Additionally, with an unmonitored system, the person’s emergency contacts may miss the alert notification.
In-Home vs. Mobile
In-home equipment has a base unit in your or your family member’s home. The unit connects to sensors mounted to the wall or a wearable device. With in-home systems, a cellular or landline connection is required to communicate with the monitoring center. If you choose a mobile system, a base unit usually isn’t installed; instead, this system relies exclusively on a cellular connection.
Note that with a cellular connection, the older adult will be using the cellular connection of the medical alert company. They need to live in an area where the cellular provider has a strong signal, so check with the alert monitoring company to find out which cellular provider they use and seek out a system with a provider that has a strong signal in your area.
Fall Detection Features
Fall detection technology can be built into the medical alert system to sense when your family member has fallen. By using accelerometers to measure speed and acceleration, it can sense abrupt changes in movement that indicate a sudden drop or impact.
When the system identifies a fall, it sends a notification to the medical alert company that someone needs help. Many alert systems include a sensor that can be integrated into a mobile device or worn around the neck or wrist. Wearing the sensor around the neck is more accurate than around the wrist because arm motions such as waving or stirring ingredients in a cooking pot can cause a false alarm.
Fall detection features can (and often do) trigger false alarms. When selecting a device, it's important for the older adult and their family to ask specific questions about the accuracy and sensitivity of the fall detection. They should also understand what exactly happens when a fall is detected and whether the alert can be manually overridden.
GPS Tracking
Medical alert systems with GPS functionality are helpful for everyone, but especially for older adults who are active or who have conditions such as Alzheimer’s or another type of dementia and are at risk of wandering.
With built-in location tracking, an older adult’s exact location can be pinpointed—and emergency responders can locate them when necessary. Whether they’re at home, the grocery store, or walking around the neighborhood, GPS tracking allows assistance to reach them anytime, anywhere, even if they’re unable to communicate or call for help.
Some systems even provide an additional feature that allows authorized family members to view location updates through an app. You’ll have peace of mind and a stronger sense of connection no matter how far away your family member is.
Smartwatch-Style Options
If you or your aging family member is tech-savvy or prefers a discreet medical alert device, a medical alert smartwatch might suit their style. In addition to standard safety monitoring, many of these watches offer additional features, such as medication reminder alerts, heart rate monitoring, blood pressure and blood sugar tracking, weather notifications, step counting, and voice-to-text communication with family, friends, and caregivers.
AI-Supported Medical Alert System Options
Families are increasingly turning to AI voice assistants to help older adults in emergency situations, including falls. For example, Amazon’s Alexa Emergency Assist is a subscription service that uses a voice-activated device to connect to an urgent response agent and automatically notify family contacts of an event such as a fall or medical emergency. This option can be used in place of or in addition to a traditional medical alert system.
Who can benefit from a medical alert system?
When it comes to deciding if an older adult might benefit from a medical alert system, age isn’t the only factor. Functional ability—or their capacity to handle regular day-to-day tasks safely—is a key indicator.
If you or your family member is dealing with any of the following, a medical alert system might provide the right amount of safety:
- Chronic conditions (diabetes, heart disease, and so on)
- Cognitive decline or memory issues
- A history of falls or mobility issues
- Recent hospitalization or recovery from surgery
- Living alone or being alone for long periods
Is a medical alert system or assisted living best?
Medical alert systems provide help in case of an emergency or a fall, but significant safety gaps can still arise. For instance, a medical alert system is only effective if an older adult is willing to and remembers to wear their alert device all day, every day. If they can’t or won’t wear the device regularly, then assisted living may be a safer and more reliable option for those who are at risk of falling.
In addition, a medical alert system can’t monitor an individual’s quality of life. Is your aging family member eating enough food on a regular basis, making medication mistakes, or feeling lonely? Senior living communities are well-equipped to identify and address these quality-of-life issues.
Trained team members in assisted living communities are accustomed to helping with medication management, dressing, and other services on a day-to-day basis. Senior living communities offer additional benefits and support for healthy living, such as delicious dining options that ensure residents are getting the healthy foods they need. For example, Cedarhurst offers a dining program that provides menu options including gluten-free, diabetic-friendly, and low-sodium options as well as regional specialties and familiar favorites.
Senior living communities are also designed around socialization opportunities to prevent isolation and loneliness. Shared spaces, such as dining areas, and on-site events, such as art classes and book clubs, help residents make new friends while strengthening existing connections.
One of the largest benefits of senior living communities is the ability to receive immediate medical assistance when needed. Communities are staffed around the clock with specially trained team members who are on hand to assist residents in case of a fall or other emergency.
How do I make the right choice?
Choosing between a medical alert system or a senior living community ultimately comes down to the individual’s health needs and living situation—and your peace of mind. More than anything, you want to make a decision that preserves dignity, safety, and quality of life.
If you would like to know more about the benefits you or your family member can experience in a senior living community, our guide, Where to Start Your Senior Living Journey, provides detailed information and answers common questions.
This post was originally published in June 2023 and updated in June 2025.
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