What to Look for in a Medical Alert Button

The press of a medical alert button summons emergency help and/or contacts a loved one. It can provide a sense of safety and security for seniors, those with health issues or disabilities, and people who may be fearful of falling or having a medical emergency on their own.

Medical Alert System: What You Need to Know

There are a variety of options for medical alert systems, which can make choosing the right service difficult. Personal Alarms You should decide whether you want a home-based or mobile system, and what features are important to you.

You'll also need to decide whether you want a system with a landline or cellular connection. Most systems have a base unit and a help button (pendant) that communicates with the base unit and dispatches a call when you push the distress button.

Unlike landline systems, cellular-based systems can connect with a help button anywhere in your home or out and about. They usually include a wearable pendant that resembles a bracelet and can be worn around the neck or wrist, as well as on a belt loop or in a pocket.

What to Look for in a Medical Alert Button

The most important central component of any medical alert system is the help button. It should dispatch a call to a 24-hour, U.S.-based monitoring center with a live operator within 30 seconds of being pressed.

The monitoring center professional will assess your situation, talk to you about the alert, and contact emergency services or a loved one, depending on what you've chosen for your medical alert service. Some systems also offer two-way communication, so you can speak with the monitoring center professional directly to ensure you're getting the help you need.