HOW TO CHOOSE A MEDICAL ALERT SYSTEM
If you’re thinking about getting a medical emergency bracelet or panic button, which is the best choice for you?
These wearable security products have a variety of features and can fulfill different needs. They have different prices, too. Thus, it can be difficult to choose the one that may be best for you.
Don’t forget that a medical emergency bracelet or panic button can get you the help you need in the event of an emergency.
Is It Recommended To Use An App On Your Cell Phone?
Are you thinking your current cell phone is sufficient for your safety or security? That’s a big risk, according to the experts.
The chances of you having your cell phone with you at all times are slim.
How often do you get out of your chair and move around, leaving your cell phone behind?
If you don’t carry your emergency medical alert system with you at all times, you are putting yourself at risk.
If you are considering using a digital voice assistant like Google Home or even Alexa by the giant Amazon, know that this technology may not be able to provide you with all the services you need.
Alexa, like Google Home, is programmed to dial a mobile or landline phone, but to date, neither of the two rivals can reach the 9-1-1 emergency service. A medical emergency bracelet or panic button can.
Emergency medical alert systems are reassuring
It’s a big relief to know that all you have to do is press the call button on your emergency medical alert bracelet or portable panic button and a dispatcher will be on the line to contact emergency services, a family member, or a friend on your contact list.
Whether you are a senior, you live alone, or in poor health or have impaired mobility, an emergency medical alert system will be very helpful for you.
Many security companies offer this type of product or service. In a quick review of the top 10 companies in our blog, we’ve put together a list of the options available.
Here are the top 5 medical alert systems offered by various security companies in Quebec.
Philips | SecurMedic | Global Security | Secure-Vie Canada | One Call Alert | |
Access to a central monitoring station | Yes, at all times | Yes, at all times. | Yes, at all times. | Yes, at all times. | Yes, but solely in English. |
Price | No purchase necessary. The basic system is $42.95 ($89.95 installation fee) To add the fall detection option, it will cost you an additional $15. | Equipment costs $198.95 A non-contractual monthly payment of $19.95. | The basic system (Lynx3000) is $34.99 with a 3-year fixed contract. | For the basic service: $19.95 per month + equipment of $165.95. If you do not wish to pay for the equipment, take the $39.95 monthly option and get a $25 discount. If you opt for the fall detection feature, add $99.95 to the cost of your equipment. | One-year contract on all plans. For the basic phone line system, $53.59 per month. For the wireless model, that price goes up to $60.29 per month. If you want access from a cell phone line, the price is $66.99 per month. |
How to buy | You must complete the purchase by phone. | Online application and the device is delivered to your home free. | You place your order by phone | You leave your number on a voice mailbox and an agent contacts you afterwards. | You communicate by phone with an English-speaking agent. |
Features | Waterproof. Available as a bracelet or pendant. The GoSafe 2 has a range of 1500 feet. | Waterproof. Has a pendant & emergency bracelet. Tells you when the battery needs to be replaced. The console works for up to 24 hours when you run out of power. | Waterproof. The basic system has a range of 200 feet. You can choose a bracelet, clip, or pendant. The Numera4000 (fall detection package) has a range of 1,000 feet. | Can be used in the pool, shower, and bath. Range of 600 feet. The console works for up to 24 hours when you run out of power. Battery life is 36 months. | The buttons are water resistant. The wired and wireless systems have a range of 350 meters. The cell phone button operates on the AT&T network. |
Does it have a fall detection system? | Homesafe + AutoAlert ($57.95 per month) and GoSafe ($79.95 per month) | No | The Lynx3000 does not have fall detection. They offer this feature with their fall detection package that includes the Numera4000 ($39.99 per month). There is an equipment fee ($379.99), activation fee ($99.00) and a fee for the button itself ($79.00) | Yes | Yes, you can add a fall detection feature for an additional cost of $13.40. |
Warranty | Yes | Lifetime | If there is a defect, you replace the damaged equipment | Yes, if the equipment is leased. | Lifetime. |
| Experience with customer service*. | The wait was short and the representative had the information readily available. However, her French was sketchy and some words pronounced in English confused me. | The agent did a good job of informing me of the options available. Very good experience and the prices are the cheapest on the market in 2022 for a panic button. | I immediately reached a representative on the phone who was very knowledgeable about the products and services. He explained all the technical differences between the choices satisfactorily. | As I waited for the customer service agent to call me back, I wondered if my message had fallen into the void. 20 minutes later, a helpful agent contacted me by phone. | I spoke with an agent located in the United States who spoke only English. If you choose this company, you must be bilingual or English speaking. Their monitoring stations are located south of the border. |
** Our editor has been in telephone contact with these companies. These comments are personal.
6 Questions you ask yourself most about panic buttons
Do you have questions about medical emergency bracelets or panic buttons? Read on to find the answers to the six (6) most frequently asked questions.
1-Are you entitled to a tax credit when you buy a panic button?
You only need to meet the following two (2) conditions to benefit from the “Tax credit for expenses incurred by a senior to maintain his or her autonomy” refund:
- Be a resident of Quebec since December 31, 2018
- Be at least 70 years old on December 31, 2018
The refund of this tax credit is equal to 20% of the total cost incurred for the purchase, lease, and installation of the system considered eligible. Please note: only costs over $250 are eligible.
In case of acquisition of a portable emergency medical alert system, these amounts must have been used to purchase or lease (including installation), one of the following devices:
- Remote monitoring of the individual in the event of an emergency
- an emergency panic button
- measurement of medical parameters
- the taking of medication
- location of the person concerned using GPS
To inquire about a refund, please contact Revenu Québec.
You can contact one of our partners by filling out the short online request form on this page, free of charge. By sending one request to Medical Alert Systems Canada, you will receive in less than 48 hours up to three (3) offers without any obligation.
Compare products and services in the comfort of your home to get the best service at the lowest price for you.
2-What are some positive data for the personal alarm systems industry?
According to data available to security companies offering emergency medical bracelets or panic buttons, this niche market is expected to reach a size of $11.1 billion by 2025.
The reasons for the explosive growth of the portable emergency medical alert system market are the increasing number of people with Alzheimer’s disease and the longer expected life expectancy of Canadians, among others.
As proof, the World Bank Group indicates on their website that in Canada, 7.68% of the population reached the age of 65 in 1960, compared to 16.98% in 2017. Tied with Norway and Israel, Canada is the 13th country in the world (out of 137) with the longest life expectancy (the United States is 37th).
The global market for portable emergency medical alert systems is expected to grow by 5.8% over the next 6 years. The overall development rate is considered high by the various players in this market and is motivating them to infuse significant investments into the research and development sector.
3- Should you choose your panic button/emergency bracelet based on price alone?
Yes and no. Choose a portable medical alert system that you can rely on to get you the help you need in an emergency.
Most emergency medical bracelets and panic buttons will do the job they are designed to do. The service you choose is the main factor in determining your satisfaction.
If your budget can’t afford to pay for cellular data options (which allow you to go outside the home with your device), then choose the next best system you like.
4- How does the fall detection system in an emergency bracelet work?
Choose a medical alert system with care to make sure you receive help when needed. A fall detector is not a portable medical alert system in itself.
Rather, you are purchasing a medical emergency bracelet or panic button with a fall detection device in the form of a sensor or a turn-on feature on your cell phone.
Select the best portable medical alert system for you depending on the prospect of supplementing it with a fall detector.
To find out which device is the best fall detector bracelet or pendant in Quebec, consult our previous articles.
5- What is a panic button really for?
If your parents are aging and you’re constantly worried about their safety and health, a medical emergency bracelet or panic button will give you peace of mind. You will know, in fact, that in the event of an incident or a call, the control center will send you a notification directly by email or SMS on the platform of your choice.
A wearable emergency medical alert system will allow you to monitor your parent or aging relative to ensure their well-being and be notified immediately if they require assistance.
In the event of a health problem such as nausea or dizziness, for example, all they have to do is press the emergency button on their bracelet or pendant to activate the alarm to notify the central monitoring station immediately.
If your parents are showing the first signs of Alzheimer’s disease, a medical alert system will be a big help. If they frequently miss taking their medication, an emergency bracelet or panic button can also act as a medication reminder.
6- Why choose a device with central monitoring services in 2024?
Consider the consequences if you fall and are unable to press the button on your portable emergency medical alert system due to pain or injury. Suppose you can press the alarm but cannot speak.
When the fall detection system senses a sudden impact or if you press the button on your emergency pendant or bracelet:
- The device used to transmit and receive the communication is switched on
- The alarm signal is sent to the remote monitoring center
- The representative responsible for monitoring alerts and giving assistance will speak to you directly
- If you can talk, you can describe the situation to him; he will immediately notify the emergency service required (ambulance, police, firefighters, etc.)
- If you are unable to speak, the representative will send the appropriate emergency service immediately.
Tips to make shopping for a panic button a breeze!
Don’t bother with complex formalities. Make your search for the best medical emergency bracelet or panic button for you easy by simply filling out the short quote request form on this page.
In less than 48 hours you will receive, without obligation, up to three (3) service quotes from responsible and proven alarm companies in our network. Our partners benefit from the referral but you also benefit significantly from competitive pricing so you can save time and money.
Compare and save now with our fast, no-obligation service.
