Medical Alert Systems for Seniors

What to look for in a medical alert system depends on what you want out of a medical alert system. So consider your personal needs. Generally seniors who desire to age in place in their homes want:

• A pendant they can wear that allows them to press a button for assistance 
• An emergency monitoring center that offers help and contacts first responders 
• A quick, easy way to contact loved ones in an emergency 
• Additional monitoring assistance, like help with a potential home intruder or fire 

As you consider your personal preferences, look for a medical alert system that offers a wearable pendant with a call button and 24/7 monitoring services—specifically a team that will contact your designated loved ones in a medical emergency and assist with non-medical home issues.

Keep in mind that in most cases smartphone technology can’t offer the complete support you need when living alone—you don’t wear your smartphone and it’s not always accessible. A medical alert system is the way to go.

Learn more about medical alert systems.

Medical alert systems generally start at around $19.95 per month with costs increasing contingent upon what services and devices you choose to include in your system. In some cases, a medical alert system may be tax deductible. Speak to your accountant to find out if a tax deduction applies to you.

Read more about what technologies to potentially include in your medical alert system.

While original Medicare does not cover the cost of a medical alert system, select Medicare Advantage plans do. Speak to a Medicare representative regarding your plan to find what, if any, benefits you have regarding a medical alert system. The same goes for insurance—talk to your provider to learn what, if anything, your policy covers in terms of a medical alert system.

Find out more about medical alert systems and potential financing options.

The Vivint Emergency Pendant is a small medical alert device you can wear as a necklace, as a bracelet, on your belt, or simply keep close by. If there's ever an emergency or you need assistance, a press of the button will connect you to a member of the Vivint 24-hour monitoring team who will respond and request assistance from medical first responders and contact your designated family members.

Read more about how a medical alert necklace works.

If you’re living alone without anyone to assist in case of emergency, wearing a medical alert pendant or emergency pendant is a smart idea. More specifically, medical alert pendants are helpful for seniors:

• Who’ve experienced a fall or other medical event, such as a stroke 
• Who live alone 
• Who are prone to falls 
• Taking medication that causes side effects that may require medical attention 

If there’s any chance you may experience a medical emergency alone or simply want the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have 24/7 assistance, a medical alert pendant and medical alert system make sense.

Here’s more information about how technology can help seniors.