Medical alert systems can be an essential resource for people living alone or who don't receive frequent visitors, especially if there is a history of falling or an increased risk for it. According to U.S. News & World Report's Aging in Place With Assistive Tech Survey, many respondents cited medical alert systems and devices as essential technologies that will help them remain independent and remain living at home independently.

Fall detection typically works through motion sensors known as accelerometers to identify and record movement that resembles falling, sending an alert to a medical alert company's monitoring center informing them of user needs for assistance. Most companies provide disclaimers that no device is 100% accurate, as well as help buttons in case fall detection fails to work as intended.


Monitoring centers operated by medical alert companies are managed by trained professionals who will communicate with the person who pressed their fall detection device, assess the situation and decide if an EMS service must be dispatched immediately or contact loved ones or emergency responders on behalf of that individual who fell.

People seeking medical alert systems with fall detection have access to various devices, from pendants worn around the neck or wrist, touchless motion sensors that attach directly to walls, wearable smartwatches, and wearable pendants. Most medical alert companies allow customers to choose which device best meets their individual needs based on personal preferences and lifestyle; some prefer portable units which can easily be carried or clipped onto belt loops while others want small monitors they can keep in their pocket.

Other considerations when selecting a medical alarm system include flexibility of coverage range and additional features desired by users. Some companies maintain multiple monitoring centers to ensure uninterrupted service in case of power outage or technical issue at one site; GPS tracking capabilities enable loved ones or emergency responders to keep tabs on where someone they are monitoring is located in real time.

Medical Alert was the only medical alert system we tested that offered fall detection as part of every plan without an extra monthly fee. Though its equipment selection is somewhat limited and monthly plans tend to cost more than other systems do, Medical Alert provides options to pay semi-annually or annually to reduce service fees by several dollars.

MobileHelp offers eight plans, from landline- and cellular-based at-home systems and medical alerts, two-person systems for efficient spouse monitoring, two-person systems with wireless capabilities for effective spouse monitoring and two-person systems with two-way audio streaming for two-person monitoring. medical care alert In our tests, MobileHelp's at-home systems performed exceptionally well; its mobile alerts however did not detect falls as accurately. During our trials we also noticed their systems being accidentally activated more often than those from competing brands we reviewed.