Types of Medical Alert Systems and How They Work

Medical alert systems can be described by where they’re used (in-home or on the go) and by whom you talk to through the device (a professional monitoring center, a friend, or 911). We’ll break down the terminology so you can choose the system that’s right for you.

A medical alert system provides you with a button you can push for assistance during an emergency. The help button is usually worn as a pendant or wristband, but you can also place buttons on the walls throughout your home.

A call is placed to a family member, 911, or professional monitoring center within about 30 seconds of pushing a medical alert button. The system's base station or the button itself has a speaker and microphone to facilitate the conversation.

Don't worry if you can't think or speak during your emergency—the person on the other end of the phone takes that a sign that you need immediate help. They'll dispatch someone to your home or GPS location, depending on the type of device you're wearing.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more videos like this one! Learn how to protect your home, your loved ones, yourself and your belongings.

When the button is pressed and held, a monitoring center is alerted. A person will speak to you through the base unit or wearable device. You can talk back and let them know what’s going on. If you just need a friend or family member to stop by, the monitoring center will call them on your behalf. If you need immediate attention, the center will call 911 and dispatch emergency responders.

Monitored medical alert systems require a monthly fee. Your subscription may include additional perks, such as free spouse coverage, medication alerts, daily check-in calls, and replacement batteries.

When you press and hold the emergency button on an unmonitored medical alert device, it calls a friend, family member, neighbor, or other pre-programmed emergency contact. There’s no monthly fee associated with an unmonitored medical alert device.

We recommend choosing a monitored system. If your unmonitored system is set up to call a family member, there’s a chance they won’t recognize the number or hear their phone go off. When your device is connected to a professional monitoring center, your call will be answered in seconds, guaranteed.

If your device is set up to call 911, you may not feel well enough to talk to them. The monitoring center keeps a record of your home address along with details about your medical history and the code to get into your spare key lockbox.

If you use a GPS-enabled mobile device, your precise location also transmits to the monitoring center. They can relay all of this information to the emergency responders who won’t waste any time trying to find you or get into your home.

It’s much easier to push a button than it is to pick up a phone and dial the correct number, especially if your medical emergency leaves you feeling confused or weak.

Plus, a medical alert button is waterproof, so you can wear it in the shower. You definitely can’t do that with your phone.

These smart hubs can’t call 911 on your behalf, at least not through a voice cue. However, new tech like Alexa Together and Lively's Echo integration make it possible to get help from family members or professional monitors by activating a voice hub.

If your medical emergency makes it difficult to breathe, you won't be able to use a voice-activated device. Plus, the smart hub may not hear you depending on where you are in your home. A wearable button keeps help within reach at all times.

Still, a voice-controlled medical alert system is a great back-up option in case you experience poor mobility. Try a medical alert company like Medical Guardian or GetSafe if you’re interested in this type of equipment.

In addition to monitored vs. unmonitored classifications, the main types of medical alert systems include in-home stations or mobile devices.

An in-home medical alert system consists of a base station, a wearable device, and optional accessories like wall buttons or voice extenders. The base station functions as a speakerphone, so keep it in a central location where you’ll be able to talk to the monitor if needed. The wearable device only works if it stays near the base station, so it’s best for folks who spend most of their time at home.

In-home medical alert systems use either a landline or cellular connection to place calls when the button is pressed. 

• Landline medical alert systems are more affordable than cellular systems and more reliable in remote areas. 
• Cellular in-home medical alerts are a little more expensive but usually pair with more accessories, like wall buttons and extra pendants, compared to landline systems. 

A mobile medical alert system works outside the home and runs off battery power. 

Mobile alert systems typically include GPS tracking technology. This helps the monitoring center (or your loved ones via a smartphone app) know exactly where you are in an emergency. 

Here are the most common types of mobile medical alert systems (also called GPS medical alerts):

• Pocket base stations pair with the same necklace or wristband button that you'd wear around your home. The speaker and microphone are in the base station, so don't forget to grab it before you head out the door.
• All-in-one mobile medical alert devices are worn on a lanyard or belt clip. They're lightweight and let you keep track of just one device. 
• Medical alert smartwatches include two-way talk and a help button. They're discreet, modern, and usually offer some extra functions like fitness-tracking apps. It's tough to find fall detection in medical alert watches, though.
• Bluetooth medical alerts use your smartphone to make phone calls once the help button is pressed. They have a long battery life (months at a time) but you have to keep your phone charged up and nearby at all times. 

An automatic fall detection device calls the monitoring center if it detects a fall followed by no movement. When the monitor speaks to you and receives no answer, they’ll dispatch emergency responders.

Fall detection devices include a sensor called an accelerometer. The accelerometer measures how fast it moves through space. If it (and you, since you're wearing it) suddenly moves toward the ground faster than normal and then immediately stops moving, it's programmed to connect to the monitoring center. 

But an accelerometer isn't a perfect fall detection sensor. It's prone to false alarms and might not detect a fall at all if it happens too slowly.

That's why the best fall detection devices include at least one other sensor for improved accuracy:¹

• Gyroscope
• Magnetometer
• Barometric pressure sensor

Fall detection devices sense only rapid falls. Sliding off a wheelchair, bed, or couch won’t register as a fall. Even if you wear a fall detection device, it’s still a really good idea to have someone call or visit every day to make sure you’re all right and to take proactive measures to prevent falls.

Some medical alert systems use motion sensors or check-in calls as an alternative to fall detection devices. You won't get help quite as fast, but you won't be stranded for days either. 

A personal emergency response system (PERS) is another name for a medical alert system. The name difference recognizes that not all emergencies are medical in nature. A PERS could be used by someone who feels unsafe walking home, for example.

No. Most medical alert systems connect to cellular data. You don’t need a cell phone, Wi-Fi, or internet for the device to work. You don't even need to pay for a separate cellular data plan—that's provided the medical alert company.

• 5 Signs Your Loved One Needs a Life Alert
• Most Affordable Medical Alert Systems
• Are Medical Alert Systems Covered by Medicare?
• How to Talk to Your Parents About a Medical Alert System
• Best Safety Devices for Seniors

1. Falin Wu, International Journal of Telemedicine and Applications, “Development of a Wearable-Sensor-Based Fall Detection System,” 2015. Accessed November 29, 2022.