How A Medical Alert Device Can Make You More Independent

  • July 3, 2018
How A Medical Alert Device Can Make You More Independent

Older adults who live alone might face objections from friends and family who are concerned for their safety. Contrary to popular belief, medical alert systems can actually help you maintain your independence as you age and give concerned parties peace of mind knowing their loved ones are only a button push away from an emergency or non-emergency assistance. The key, however, is finding the best emergency alert system that fits your needs and lifestyle.

Learn more about our in-home medical alert systems and mobile medical alert devices to help determine which device is best for you or your loved one.

In-Home Medical Alert Systems

When it comes to medical alert systems, older adults can remain completely independent in their own homes as they age, yet never actually be alone should an emergency occur. For those who only want to invest in medical alert systems for the home, Medical Guardian offers three different options: Classic Guardian, Home Guardian and Family Guardian.

Classic Guardian

The Classic Guardian is the most cost-efficient way to remain protected at home through your (existing) landline telephone service. The Classic Guardian has one of the longest ranges of service on the medical alert systems market, in addition to having a 32-hour backup battery should you lose power at home. For emergency or non-emergency assistance, simply press the emergency button around your neck or wrist and within moments, and you will be able to speak with a 9-1-1 trained operator from our round-the-clock monitoring center.

Home Guardian

If you’re looking for an upgraded version of the Classic Guardian, the Home Guardian not only has added bells and whistles, like a digital screen that tells you the battery level and indoor temperature, but it also does not require a landline telephone to connect you to our monitoring center. Working off a national cellular network, pressing your emergency button with the Home Guardian will wirelessly connect you to help when you need it.

Family Guardian

Combining the benefits of medical alert systems with activity monitoring, the Family Guardian uses three, in-home safety sensors. This enables family, friends, and caregivers to stay updated on a loved one’s health and activity levels throughout the day. Loved ones and caregivers will also be alerted if the safety sensors detect that the older adult isn’t going about their normal routine or if they use their medical alert help button within 1,300 feet of the base station to contact our 24/7 monitoring center.

Mobile Medical Alert Systems

Of course, feeling confident about your independence shouldn’t have to end when you leave the house. Because of natural changes that occur within our bodies as we age, it’s not uncommon for older adults to experience falls outside the house. Whether on pavement that is in disrepair, uneven ground or even wearing the wrong type of shoes—balance can get the best of us and potentially lead to harmful injuries.

If you’re interested in maintaining your independence outside the home—whether to run errands, visit friends and family, or go for a walk around the neighborhood—Medical Guardian’s Mobile Guardian and Active Guardian medical alert systems are both reliable options.

Mobile Guardian

The Mobile Guardian is a GPS-enabled device that is small enough to fit in a purse or a pocket and travel with you wherever you go. The built-in GPS, which stands for Global Positioning System, will only be utilized in emergencies to identify your location to first responders, or your Care Circle of emergency contacts, so you never have to worry about having to describe your location to an emergency operator. Don’t forget your Mobile Guardian the next time you go on vacation, as this service works in all areas that have cell service throughout the country!

Active Guardian

The Active Guardian is our most advanced all-in-one medical alert device, with a 5-day battery life and built-in GPS and Wi-Fi location technologies. Through Active Guardian's two-way microphone and speaker, an emergency operator can effectively assess your situation, and quickly and accurately dispatch the help you need. Complete with fall detection, Active Guardian is an all-in-one solution that gives you the freedom to keep doing what you love, as you’ll get help more rapidly no matter where you are!

Maintain Your Independence with Medical Guardian

Medical Guardian has helped over 100,000 older adults nationwide feel more confident about living on their own. A medical alert device can actually help you gain more independence as you age—but you won’t know until you see for yourself! Compare all of our medical alert systems here, or call 1-800-485-2217 to learn more!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Hilary Young is a health and wellness expert that specializes in both senior life and caregiving. She'd love to hear more about your thoughts on aging, healthy living, and caregiving, and you can find her on Twitter at @hyoungcreative to start the conversation.


KEYWORDS: medical alert systems, emergency alert system, emergency button

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