Approximately 29 percent of older adults in the community live alone, and seven out of 10 are women. In fact, 46 percent of all women aged 75 and older live by themselves, which means that they could be left waiting for an extended period of time for help to arrive if they suffer from a fall, cardiac event or medical incident that requires immediate attention. When an emergency occurs, every minute counts.

Fortunately, there are a number of medical alert systems available that address the unique needs of older women. These small wireless devices connect users to a call monitoring center that can contact a neighbor, nearby family members, paramedics, police, or firefighters at a touch of a button, giving women the peace of mind that comes with knowing help is always close at hand. A number of medical alert systems also have additional features for safety and security, such as GPS location tracking, automatic fall detection, and daily wellness checks.

Choosing the right personal emergency device and features can be difficult given the wide variety of systems and options offered today. To help narrow down the choices, we’ve developed this list of the best medical alert systems for women.

The 3 Best Medical Alert Systems for Women

QMedic

QMedic combines the traditional monitored call center service offered by most medical alert systems with the features of a high-tech wearable activity tracker, which makes this system an all-in-one medical monitoring solution for women.

With plans starting at $30 per month, QMedic is specifically designed to enhance the health and wellness of people who live independently. The wrist-worn, waterproof button gives users immediate access to help via a two-way voice connection while continuously checking the wearer’s activity levels.

QMedic is a smart device that can detect unusual movement patterns, such as extra activity or a lack of activity. If an abnormal pattern is flagged, the QMedic call center starts by requesting wellness checks for the subscriber, and if help is needed, QMedic will contact emergency services.

The QMedic system also includes an online caregiver dashboard that allows loved ones to monitor the subscriber’s activity levels. Optional mobile alerts can be sent to preselected phone numbers, so a friend, neighbor, or loved one is notified when the user activates the emergency call button or unusual activity is detected.

Medical Care Alert

Medical Care Alert ranks as one of our top choices for women because the call center is staffed entirely by EMT/EMD-certified operators who have additional Security Industry Association training, which makes this system one of the best in terms of call center quality. When a subscriber activates the emergency button on their medical alert system, they’re immediately connected with a highly trained medical professional who has advanced skills in phone assessment to help ensure that the right services are dispatched.

RescueTouch

RescueTouch bridges the gap between traditional medical alert systems that call 911 or an emergency call center and a regular landline phone or cellular phone. The system allows subscribers to add up to five personal contacts who’ll be called when help is needed. This innovative option lets users phone a neighbor, friend, or loved one directly through the two-way wearable pendant instead of calling the police, fire or EMTs, which can be a valuable feature for women who may otherwise be reluctant to use an emergency response device. RescueTouch can even be programmed to send automated text message alerts to preprogrammed numbers instead of triggering a voice call.

Another feature that makes RescueTouch one of the top picks on our list of the best medical alert systems for women is the fact that family, friends, and caregivers can initiate contact with the user through the VoiceConnect mobile app. This feature provides loved ones with the peace of mind that comes with knowing that they can check on the RescueTouch user at any time even if the person isn’t close to a phone.

The RescueTouch device is small, lightweight, GPS-enabled and completely waterproof, making it easy for women to wear as a pendant, and the devices come in four colors: black, blue, green and pink. Another unique feature of this system is that it’s offered as both a monitored and nonmonitored system, which gives users complete control over their monthly expenses. Monitored plans start at $19 per month, and the one-time purchase price for the device starts at $99.

When to Consider Getting a Medical Alert System

While it’s increasingly common for younger women to carry a personal emergency call device, medical alert systems have become a must-have for seniors who live either on their own or with family members.

Many women consider subscribing to a medical alert service when their spouse passes away or moves into a care facility. Others are advised to wear an emergency call device after suffering from a fall or other health event. Doctors and nurses often recommend that older women use a medical alert system to decrease the risks of living independently, and women of all ages can benefit from the enhanced personal safety and security that comes with a wearable emergency response system.

Tips for Choosing the Right Medical Alert System for Women

One of the most important considerations when shopping for a medical alert system for a woman is the size and weight of the wearable device. Women naturally have smaller wrists than men do. Therefore, a wristwatch-style call button that’s designed for a man may be too bulky for a woman, or the strap may not be snug enough to keep the unit from slipping off the wrist.

Look for a provider that offers a compact pendant-style device that will be comfortable to wear and can blend in with day-to-day clothing. One of the most common reasons why some women are reluctant to use a medical bracelet or portable button is the worry that it looks unattractive or the fact that it’s too bulky to carry easily.

Medical Alert System Costs and Added Features

Costs for medical alert systems start at about $20 per month and go up to over $100 per month based on the specific services, devices, and add-on features. Basic monitoring plans usually include around-the-clock monitoring that connects the user with a call center as soon as the medical alert device is activated. The call center operator speaks with the caller through the device to determine what kind of assistance is needed before requesting help on behalf of the subscriber.

Because falls are a common reason why women need to call for help, automatic fall detection is a feature that may be worth the extra money. This service usually costs between $10 and $20 per month, and it may require the use of a premium device. There are also medical alert systems that offer GPS tracking for an added fee and work using mobile phone signals, which are ideal for women who need a device that works in and outside their home.

In some cases, subscribing to a medical alert system that offers added safety options, such as daily medication reminder calls, wellness checks, and activity monitoring, can be an affordable alternative to hiring a caregiver to perform in-person safety checks. These optional services can cost anywhere from $5 to $20 per month on top of the base monitoring fees and any activation charges.