Medical alert devices are pieces of security equipment caregivers use to keep tabs on elderly family members, or those who may have health issues. Medical Guardian is a relative newcomer when it comes to medical alert systems, but it’s a standout due to its many options for customers. It’s a solid option for families looking to keep an eye on family members who may be sick or have health issues that need to be monitored on a daily basis.
The equipment
Medical Guardian provides several different types of equipment based on your personal needs. Types of equipment include:
- Base station: This base station works with the medical alert button. When the button is activated within the range of the base station, it will automatically call emergency services to get your loved one the medical help they need.
- Wearable pendant: Customers can wear the pendant on their neck or around their wrist. This pendant allows someone to press a button for help as long as they are within range of the base station.
- Medical alert button: This is a handheld button that a patient can press to get immediate help. Sometimes people may place it in the shower or bathroom where falls may be more likely.
- Motion sensors: Medical Guardian provides motion sensors for extra piece of mind for family members. It can track a loved one’s activity levels, which can give you a good idea as to if they’re doing okay.
- GPS and Wi-Fi enabled button: For patients who may be more mobile, Medical Guardian offers a GPS and Wi-Fi button to give your loved one more freedom. They can bring it on trips to the grocery store to ensure safety no matter where with this added location tracking.
- Wearable medical alert watch: This is a wearable activity watch that allows you to track a loved one’s movements to ensure their safety. There are also text messaging options for additional security.
- Fall alert technology (add-on): You can choose to add on fall alert to certain pieces of equipment, which will alert you if the patient may have fallen.
- Lock box: You can add a lock box to your loved one’s home to allow easier access for medical professionals.
Packages and Pricing
There are six different packages available with this medical alert system. A security package is not required with any of them. If you pay semi-annual or annually and don’t need the service in the future, you will get a prorated refund.
In Home
- Classic Guardian- $29.95 per month: This option comes with a medical alert button and base station that uses a landline to connect the customer to emergency help. The alert button works within 1300 feet of the base station.
- Home Guardian: $34.95 per month: This medical alert system uses cellular service to connect the wearable emergency button to the base station allowing a customer to contact emergency response teams. The alert button works within 600 feet of the base station.
- Family Guardian: $79.95 per month: This is the highest tier option for in-home products with Medical Guardian. Customers receive a medical alert button and base station with two-way communication using cellular service. The alert button can be used within 1300 feet of the base station. The home is also outfitted with three motion sensors, which allow loved ones to keep tabs on daily activities. Family members also have access to the Medical Guardian app, which can show activity levels, emergencies and even whether a door has been left ajar.
On-the-Go
- Mobile Guardian, $49.95 per month: This option offers a medical alert button with a portable device. When the button is activated within 350 feet of the portable device, help is on the way. There is also two-way talk and GPS tracking capabilities for extra safety.
- Active Guardian, $44.95 per month: This is a standalone medical alert device with GPS and Wi-Fi capabilities with a longer battery life. This means a customer can use it at home and on the go. Fall detection can be included as an add-on.
- Freedom Guardian, $44.95 per month: This is a smart watch that also acts as a GPS tracker and emergency response button. Users can get weather alerts, text messages and medication reminders while loved ones can keep track of their location.
Add-ons
- Fall detection: For $10 per month, you can include a wearable button that detects if your loved one has taken a fall.
- Wall-mounted button: For $2.99 per month, you can mount an emergency button for customers to press if they need help. This would be ideal for use in a bathroom or other area of the home where help may be needed.
- Voice-activated alert button: For $5 per month, your loved one can say “Call Medical Guardian” twice to dispatch an emergency crew to their home.
- Lockbox: This seems to come free with most packages, and provides a safe place to keep a key in cases medical professionals or loved ones need to access the home in an emergency.
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What we like about Medical Guardian Systems
- No contracts: This is important in the medical alert system market. You never know how long or how short you’ll need services, so having no contract is the way to go. If you decide to pay the annual fee to save cash, Medical Guardian will give you a pro-rated refund if you don’t need it for the full year.
- Customer service: Representatives were helpful and quick to answer questions about prices and which package would be best. Both telephone and chat representatives were quick to answer without any pressure sales tactics we’ve found at other medical alert companies.
- No upfront costs: Equipment is free, so you’ll just be paying monthly fees based on how long you use the service. There are no initiation fees or installation fees.
- Fall detection: If you’re worried about an elderly loved one taking a fall, you can be alerted along with emergency response teams with the fall detection wearable pendants. Not every medical alert company provides this feature, so it’s great to have.
What we don’t like about the Medical Guardian Systems
- Price: It can get pretty pricey if you want a mobile GPS option, or even a higher tier in-home option with available add-ons. It can cost more than a home security system, so this may not be for budget-minded consumers.
- No money back guarantee: There’s no trial period for these products, so if you don’t like them, you’ll be stuck paying at least a month. But because there aren’t contracts, you won’t be out a ton of money.
What to look for when shopping for a medical alert system
- Types of detection: Some medical alert devices can only call for help if the customer presses a button or uses a voice activation system to call for help. Fall detection is a feature to look for if you’re buying a medical alert device for an elderly loved one, or someone who is in danger of falling. It can let authorities or loved ones know if the patient has fallen, even if the help button hasn’t been pushed.
- Monthly monitoring: While you can purchase medical alert devices without 24/7 monitoring to lower your monthly cost, if you have a loved one who needs extra supervision, going with a monthly fee program might be the best option.
- Range: If you’re looking for an alert system to use outside the house, a GPS or Wi-Fi enabled system is your best bet using a cellular signal. If you’re only interested in getting your loved one a medical alert system for the home, find one with decent range from the base station. For example, Medical Guardian provides a 1,300 ft. range for some of its models.
- Cell vs landline: Landline options are best for in-home services. Cellular service can be used at home too, but it also allows you to take your medical alert devices on the go if needed.
- Customer service: Whether it’s deciding which package to buy, or troubleshooting issues as they arise, it’s important to find a medical alert system that has impeccable customer service because it will make a difference.
- Brand reputation: Having a reputable company behind the medical alert system you choose is important. Your loved one’s life could depend on the system you choose, so finding one with a great reputation is a must.
The Bottom Line
Medical Guardian provides peace of mind for families who want to add an extra layer of safety for loved ones who are sick or in need of extra care. While services can be pricey for higher tier options, you can choose from in-home products or even medical alert devices that you can take wherever you go. Without contracts and high up-front costs, Medical Guardian is a worthwhile option with plenty of features to keep your loved ones safe.
This article has been reviewed and approved by Officer Banta.
Officer Banta is the official SecurityNerd home security and safety expert. A member of the Biloxi Police Department for over 24 years, Officer Banta reviews all articles before lending his stamp of approval. Click here for more information on Officer Banta and the rest of our team.
