Alert1 Medical Alert System Review

Many medical alert companies offer some sort of support for seniors who speak languages other than English, but for most that only includes Spanish. Alert1 ensures that seniors from various backgrounds can get the help they need during an emergency by providing emergency assistance in over 190 languages- far more than competitors. They partner with an interpreter service, Voiance, who is available around-the-clock to connect with Alert1 callers who need assistance in a language other than English. Alert1 users’ preferred language is kept on file, and monitoring center operators will quickly connect callers with an interpreter to get them the help they need. For seniors who do not or prefer not to speak English, this service can provide peace of mind that they will be able to get assistance quickly and easily during an emergency.

Pricing

Home costs $25.95 when paid for on a quarterly basis (there is no month-to-month payment option for any Alert1 device). The semi-annual plan costs $22.95 a month, and the annual plan comes out to $19.95 a month. Fall detection is not available with this system.

Device Information

This is an in-home, landline-based system. There is no cellular option, so users must have a working landline in their home. Home includes a base station with a 24-hour backup battery and range of 600 feet, and one wearable, waterproof personal help button. The help button may be worn as a pendant or wristband.

Pricing

This system costs $36.95 a month with a quarterly plan, $33.95 a month with a semi-annual plan, or $30.95 a month with an annual plan. Fall detection is included in the monthly price.

Device Information

Home Fall detection is available with either cellular or landline connection. The in-home system includes a base station with a range of 400 feet and a 24-hour backup battery, and one wearable help button with automatic fall detection. The fall detection button is completely waterproof and showerproof, but must be worn as a pendant (there is no wristband option).

Pricing

On-the-Go costs $36.95 a month with a quarterly plan. The semi-annual and annual plans save customers $3 and $6 a month, respectively. Fall detection is not available with this device.

Device Information

On-the-Go is an all-in-one portable device with a help button and two-way speaker. It can be used with either AT&T or T-Mobile networks, so users can choose whichever company has better coverage in their area. The device is showerproof, and can last up to 30 days on a single charge. On-the-Go is designed to be worn around the neck, but with a protective case users can wear the device on a belt clip.

Pricing

This system costs $47.95 a month with a quarterly plan, $44.95 a month with a semi-annual plan, or $41.95 a month with an annual plan. Fall detection is included in the monthly price.

Device Information

On-the-Go Fall Detection is another showerproof, all-in-one portable device. This device must connect with AT&T cellular network. It also has GPS and Wi-Fi location tracking, and built-in automatic fall detection. Like the standard On-the-Go, this device is designed to be worn as a pendant or on a belt clip with an additional protective case. There is no wristband option. The device’s battery lasts up to 5 days.

Pricing

This is Alert 1’s most expensive, and most comprehensive, system at $58.95 a month with a quarterly plan. The semi-annual plan is slightly less expensive at $55.95 a month, and the annual plan comes out to $52.95 a month. The monthly cost includes fall detection.

Device Information

This bundle system includes a portable device with automatic fall detection, an in-home fall detection pendant, and an in-home personal help button wristband. Users wear the On-the-Go device when outside of the home, and then can place the device in its charging cradle at home while wearing the in-home components. This system is designed for seniors who want an extra layer of protection in the home, while maintaining coverage on-the-go.

All devices in the bundle use AT&T cellular network and are waterproof. The portable device has a battery life of 24 hours.

Alert1 customers do not pay any activation fees – in fact, there are no starting fees at all and shipping is included with all plans.

Although there is no month-to-month payment option, long-term contracts are not required and users may cancel their service at any time without paying a penalty. Semi-annual and annual payment plans also include a 30-day risk-free trial, during which users can return their equipment for a refund. There is no trial period for quarterly subscribers.

Alert1 operates two monitoring centers, referred to as Command Centers. Both are located in the U.S., are UL-listed and TMA 5 Diamond Certified, and undergo random certification checks. All operators must complete a rigorous training program.

Upon signing up for Alert1 monitoring service, users set up a Circle of Care. The Circle of Care designates who users would like the monitoring center to call during an emergency. It can include emergency services, neighbors, caregivers- whoever users would like to assist them. The Circle of Care instructions are completely customizable, so users can even specify the order in which they would like their Circle of Care members to be contacted.

This device allows Alert1 users or their caregivers to program up to 4 medication reminders per day. At the set times, an alarm will sound to remind seniors to take their medication. The device is also a medication dispenser, so users can store up to 28 doses of medication in the device and program it to release the proper dose at the correct time. If a user misses a dose, the dispenser will deny access to that dose, ensuring seniors do not take multiple doses of the same medication. The device has a 48-hour backup battery, so it will work even in the event of a power outage. The Automatic Medication Dispenser and Organizer can be purchased for $149.95.

The voice extender increases the range of in-home systems. It is designed for seniors who live in larger homes and worry that the standard in-home base station range may not reach throughout the entire space. The device can be purchased for $99. It uses a landline connection, so users must have a working landline in their home.

The Fall Protection Package is designed to give seniors who are prone to falls even more protection in the home. The bundle includes 2 wall-mounted buttons, 2 motion-sensing night lights, an 18-pack of adhesive tub strips and a 12-pack of corner guards. This package is only compatible with in-home systems. The Fall Protection Package can be purchased for $200.

Lockboxes provide emergency services with easy access to users’ home if they are unable to answer the door after placing a call to the monitoring center. Without a lockbox, EMS may have to break down the door, which is very inconvenient and costly. Users can store a spare key in the lockbox, and provide Alert1 with the code. Monitoring center operators will then give EMS the lockbox code upon dispatch. Users can purchase a lockbox for $39.95, and it’s included at no extra cost in the annual or semi-annual billing plan.

Wall-mounted buttons can be placed anywhere in users’ home, and function as additional help buttons. Like the wearable help buttons, these devices connect with the in-home base station and trigger a call to the emergency monitoring center when pressed. They are especially useful in high-risk areas, such as the bathroom (these buttons are waterproof so they may be placed in the shower). Users can purchase wall-mounted buttons for $39.95 each. They are only compatible with in-home systems.

Alert1 partners with Voiance, an interpreter service, to provide support in over 190 languages. If a caller has a language other than English listed as their preferred language in their personal profile, or begin speaking a language other than English when the operator answers the phone, the operator will transfer the call to an interpreter who can provide assistance in the caller’s preferred language. Seniors who speak any of the 190 languages that Alert1 supports can have peace of mind that they will be able to get the assistance they need during an emergency, without anything getting lost in translation.

The Automatic Medication Dispenser and Organizer allows users to program medication alerts and store their prescriptions for dispensing. For seniors with complex medication regimens, this device can make it much easier to stick to the schedule and avoid making any mistakes with their medication. The alerts make it much less likely that a senior will forget to take their medication, and the dispensing mechanism ensures that seniors will take the right medication at the proper dose.

Many medical alert companies use AT&T cellular network for all of their devices, which is not a problem for most people. However, those who live in areas without reliable AT&T coverage may worry that they will not be able to connect with the monitoring center during an emergency. Seniors in this situation should consider Alert1’s On-the-Go device, which may be used with either AT&T or T-Mobile cellular network. This option is great for seniors with poor AT&T coverage in their area, and can make them feel more protected by their device.

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