topic Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend? in Wellness

Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

World Traveler — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 17:18:42 GMT

I know someone who is going to need some type of medical alert device when they get home from the hospital. During the day they will be alone, but in the evening/night there will be someone at the home.

I have been looking online for various types: Philips Lifeline, Mobile Help, Medical Guardian, Medical Alert, Life Alert.

Of course, each of those have their positive reviews. I would like to hear from those of you who already are using one of these devices (even if it is a different company), and would appreciate your pros and cons.

I only know of one person who has one and they have to pay around $1500 a year on a three-year contract. Although they like the device, that seems really high to me. Perhaps the insurance company pays for it. I didn't ask.

Any comments you might have that I could pass on to this individual in order to help them make a decision would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

Kachina624 — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 17:40:47 GMT

@World Traveler. You might check the one HSN sells. It automatically dials 911 even if you're outside away from home. You don't go through an operator, you go direct to 911. There is no monthly fee.

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

Havarti — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 17:46:55 GMT

We have one here at the house that we got at HSN called 911 Help Now Plus Emergency Communicator for $99.00 + tax and no other fees. If you press the button it will contact the closest 911 center. It will not contact family and it does not have GSP, so you need to be able to speak to tell them where you are. It is good for a sense of safety for falls if you are alone, or if there is a break-in, but if you are alone & unconscious it will not know you fell or where you are. You must be able to press the button and tell them where you are. You can take it out & about or even travel with it because it always contacts the closest 911 center, it just doesn't tell them where you are. I don't know if this meets your needs, but this is what we currently have at our house.

I hope they will allow the link to HSN:

https://www.hsn.com/products/911-help-now-plus-emergency-communicator-with-alarm-and/9218064?query=9218064&isSuggested=true

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

World Traveler — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 18:11:14 GMT

@Havarti and @Kachina624 Thanks! I will do that. It would not have occurred to me to check on HSN.

Oh, I just read your information more closely @Havarti . I will check with them when I get to the hospital today, but I think they want one that they can wear in the shower. Guess they could wait until the other family members get home in the evening to take a shower.

I'll go on HSN and print out the information for them.

Thanks!

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

World Traveler — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 19:02:31 GMT

The newest version of the 911 Help on HSN is the SmartGo 911, which you can take in the shower, for $100. I will print out the information and take it with me. @Havarti and @Kachina624

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

Mz iMac — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 21:15:46 GMT

Does Medicare Pay for Medical Alert Systems?

Typically medical alert systems (or PERS) are not covered under . Unfortunately they are not considered a “medical necessity” by Medicare. This is something we disagree with, as do many leaders in the medical alert industry.

Some Medicare Advantage Plans (Medicare Part C) cover medical alerts, but this will vary and the state in which you live. If you have a Medicare Advantage plan, check with your provider to see if they pay for medical alert systems.

FULL ARTICLE: copy/paste link--->theseniorlist.com/medical-alert-systems/medicare/

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

Shelbelle — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 21:19:11 GMT

We got Senior Safety for my Mom several years ago, it was a very good plan, no obligations.

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

MalteseMomma — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 21:40:15 GMT

Alert 1

I have had them for many years and they are wonderful!

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

meem120 — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 21:48:46 GMT

Ask the hospital a few days before discharge. They were very helpful when I got one for my elderly mother.

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

LonestarBabs — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 22:11:32 GMT

We have the 5Star Response device from Greatcall. They make a water-resistent model, I believe. No contracts. Under $20/mo. Has worked great.

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

Nuttmeg — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 23:35:56 GMT

I have little grand niece age 5. Her parents bought her a cellular watch . It has a GPS and she can call four numbers. Her mom can keep track of her using a smart phone.

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

World Traveler — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 23:56:04 GMT

@Mz iMac Thanks for the information/link.

They are hoping that their regular insurance (Blue Cross) pays for it, but if not, they feel it is worth the cost due to the feeling of not being alone with no way to contact someone. Although, they certainly can't afford the $1500/year for one of the plans they looked at.

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

World Traveler — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 23:58:08 GMT

@Shelbelle Thanks! Senior Safety is one I had not heard of. I will check it out. Like that there are "no obligations."

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

World Traveler — Thu, 02 Jan 2020 23:59:23 GMT

@MalteseMomma Thank you! Someone else suggested Alert 1 to this person, who is 83 years old. They were going to get more information on it.

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

World Traveler — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 00:02:40 GMT

@meem120 The hospital gave a pamphlet from Philips Lifeline, which had some coupons (which expired 4/30/18!). ha!

Anyway, I offered to go online with Philips Lifeline, and when I did, I could not get a price from their website WITHOUT giving my name and other personal information, and THEN they would contact you to answer my questions.

Don't want my name and phone number to be given, otherwise I will get calls and advertisements for probably the rest of my life! ha! Was trying to do a favor without my personal information attached to the request for info.

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

World Traveler — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 00:05:28 GMT

@LonestarBabs Another name I have not come across. I will check out 5Star Response for them also. Like the no contract, under $20/mo.

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

World Traveler — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 00:07:31 GMT

@Nuttmeg Like the idea of the GPS, although this person doesn't go out that much. I just think it would be nice to have for them. And the opportunity to call up to four numbers is nice.....911, relative, friend, neighbor, etc. Do you happen to know which watch it was, or will any smart watch do the trick?

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

KonaKat — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 00:18:14 GMT

I tried the one HSN sells. It would dial but not connect and it would tell me that itI just was not working.

I went with Mobile Help which has different combinations...landline plus cellular, cellular alolne, etc. I just got the cellular version with gps. It goes with me everywhere I go. It has both a lanyard and a wrist band but I wear the wrist band all the time. It also has a large help button to put in room of choice such as bathroom. It came with a free lockbox to put house key in so emergency personnel don't have to break in to get to you.

I have tested the Mobile Help system with a very fast response, faster than the five minutes listening to the HSN product trying to call.

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

Nuttmeg — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 01:09:27 GMT

@World Traveler wrote:
Like the idea of the GPS, although this person doesn't go out that much. I just think it would be nice to have for them. And the opportunity to call up to four numbers is nice.....911, relative, friend, neighbor, etc. Do you happen to know which watch it was, or will any smart watch do the trick?

@World Traveler

Verizon Wireless. I just checked the site. They are 250+ reviews. I would think other carriers would have a similar product.

Re: Medical Alert Devices - Which one do you recommend?

World Traveler — Fri, 03 Jan 2020 03:27:05 GMT

@KonaKat Oh, that is good to know. I will check out the HSN reviews to see if that is a common complaint with their product.

I like the idea of a lockbox. I was wondering how someone would get into this person's home without breaking down the door.

Thanks so much for the time you took to respond.