Top 4 Home Alert Systems to Keep Your Elderly Loved One Safe

Table of contents:

• What is a Home Alert System?
• What Differentiates a Home Alert System For Elderly From Other Solutions
• 4 Types of Home Security and Medical Alert Systems for Seniors
• How to Choose a Home Alert System For Elderly

 

One in five Americans is a caregiver. Of them, 40% care for a person they live with, whereas 38% look after someone living alone. It means that after a busy day at work, they may need to rush to another place to check on their loved ones. Although helping others is a good deed, it often becomes draining.

That’s why caregivers should use any chance to ease their burden, including home alert systems for the elderly. Such solutions monitor the wellbeing of users and enable them to ask for help in risky situations. It’s a win-win option for caregivers and their elderly family members. While seniors are safe, caregivers can enjoy peace of mind.

Not sure what is the best home alert system for seniors in your case? Read this overview to figure this out.

What is a Home Alert System?

A home alert system is a device or application that connects the user with emergency contacts or services. It has a panic button the person can click to trigger alerts or initiate a call. Real-time notifications allow selected contacts to learn that something has happened to provide timely help.

Home alert systems don’t support medical monitoring or collect data about the users’ health. The primary purpose is to quickly connect the person in need with someone who can help via alerts.

Besides, home medical alert systems for the elderly are mainly intended for in-home use. Seniors often have limited mobility and spend most of their time at home. Some devices, like wearables, users can also take outside if they want to go to the store or take a walk. 

What Differentiates a Home Alert System For Elderly From Other Solutions

Personal safety devices are on the rise. By 2025, the global personal safety and security device market will reach 5,503.9 million USD. As more and more people live on their own, they seek ways to protect themselves in possible emergencies. This leads to the appearance of multiple security solutions, from personal GPS trackers to apps for solo travelers.

Even though all these services have a lot in common, a home alert system for seniors is also in many ways unique. It has the features and uses that other systems don’t offer. When solutions for adult users focus on mobility and quick response, home alert systems for seniors pay more attention to fall detection and inactivity monitoring. The point is seniors are more likely to lose consciousness or feel unwell than adults. Therefore, they need a device or app that will detect such instances and request help even without a click of the panic button.

4 Types of Home Security and Medical Alert Systems for Seniors

Today, vendors supply home medical alert systems in multiple formats. You can get a personal home medical alert system as a separate device or download it as an app. You can install a base station at home or use more modern and smart solutions. This section lists four types of home security and medical alert systems for the elderly. Consider their pros&cons, uses, and cost to pick the one for your senior family members. 

#1. Home Medical Alert Systems Connected to Response Centers

These are standard home alert systems that have been used for decades. They rely on a landline connection and operate within a 1,300 feet range on average. There is a base station installed at home and additional wearables the person can take if they want to go somewhere. 

The best thing about such home medical alert systems is the support of 24/7 monitoring. They connect users to response centers that handle emergency calls. It may become an additional helping hand apart from emergency alerts.

Pros

• Instant connection with a monitoring center

• Familiar to senior users

• Waterproof and reliable

Cons

• Since the range of operation is limited, the user won’t be protected if they go too far

• The price is higher than average

Cost

The price of monitored home alert systems starts at $30/month and up.

#2. Voice-Activated Wall Buttons

Is your parent complaining that the security device strap irritates their skin or they just don’t want to be constantly monitored? Offer them voice-activated wall buttons as an alternative. These are non-wearable solutions for seniors who mostly stay at home and refuse to wear a device. Locate the system in several rooms to enable the user to push the panic button, pull the cord, or say “Call 9-1-1” to activate emergency alerts.

Pros

• The home alert system puts less mental pressure on the user since they don’t need to keep it at hand

• The user can initiate an emergency call with voice

Cons

• You will need to purchase equipment that costs up to $230

• The home alert system needs a cellular network to operate, which may be a problem in areas with poor coverage

Price

Price varies depending on the house size where you install the button-based personal home medical alert system. Be ready to pay $25/month + equipment fee (from $79 to 229).

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#3. Unmonitored Wearable Devices

Such a home alert system for the elderly doesn’t connect the user with a response center. Instead, it delivers alerts to the caregiver and selected emergency contacts. The user has a wearable device (e.g., keychain, pendant, watch, etc.) with a panic button they click in risky situations.

Unmonitored wearable devices are an excellent alternative to expensive home alert systems that take installation. They are enough to protect your loved ones in most cases.

Pros

• Wearable personal home medical alert systems are affordable

• Support GPS technology for location tracking

Cons

• Users can easily lose them

• Have fewer features than professional monitoring systems or mobile apps

Price

You pay from $20 to 40 per month on average, depending on the chosen capabilities.

#4. Mobile Applications For Security Alerts

An app-based home alert system for seniors is the most innovative solution for caregivers and their loved ones. It’s an application you install on your phone and the phones of those you want to monitor.

Such solutions eliminate the need to purchase a separate wearable. You turn the smartphone into a safety device. Since most people keep their phones close, an emergency alert app is more convenient than wearables. Users are less likely to lose it.

Personal emergency applications work similarly to traditional home alert systems. After installation, the connected phone will have a panic button and other security features, including GPS tracking and inactivity monitoring. Whereas the panic button allows elderly users to ask for help directly, inactivity monitoring sends automated alerts with GPS location based on prolonged inactivity periods. The combination of features offers ultimate protection in all possible kinds of emergencies, when the user can click the button and when they cannot.

Pros

• Applications are the most accessible home alert system since you don’t need to order them and wait for delivery

• Have versatile functionality, including GPS tracking, custom emergency contacts, and inactivity monitoring

• The most affordable of all the listed options

Cons

• Seniors sometimes don’t like using smartphones for personal safety

• Users’ location data is more easily compromised

Price

Apps like AllsWell Alert cost only $10/month, being the cheapest home alert system.

How to Choose a Home Alert System For Elderly

Ready to get the best in-home medical alert systems to care for your senior family members? Use these tips to make the right choice.

Ask Your Loved Ones What They Prefer

Even though you may be responsible for the welling of your senior family members, they still have a say. That’s why you should ask their preferences before picking a home alert system. If they don’t want wearables, offer them a mobile app or voice-activated wall button. If they like a standard home base station, let it be.

Besides, if the chosen solution supports GPS tracking, you need the user’s consent to activate it. Location is private data, and you cannot collect it without permission.

Decide Whether You Need Monitored Services

Monitored solutions that connect users with emergency response centers do offer additional security. Nevertheless, in most cases, you don’t need it. Usually, SMS or in-app emergency alerts are enough to stay connected with seniors.

Choose Solutions With Inactivity Monitoring

When the user cannot reach the device, the panic button won’t save them. Hence, you should purchase a solution that activates emergency alerts automatically with inactivity monitoring. Voice-activated alerts may also be a decent alternative to the panic button.

Mind the Monthly Cost

The price matters since you will have to pay for the chosen home alert system for years. Especially if there are several seniors to care for. Hence, you should analyze the pricing of multiple options before the final choice.

Finally, it’s better to pick a solution you can test beforehand. A free trial is a chance to see how the home alert system for seniors work and decide if you want to continue using it.

AllsWell as the Best Home Alert System For Seniors

AllsWell Alert is a personal safety & emergency alert app for people living, commuting, or traveling alone. It combines the panic button functionality with inactivity monitoring, enabling the app to send your emergency contact an alert with your location even when you cannot press a button.

Use it for free for a month to see how it works and secure your senior loved ones.