The
global medical alert system market is predicted to grow from USD 5.9
billion in 2019 to USD 9.5 billion in 2025, growing at a CAGR of 7.9%
during the forecast period 2020–2025. The personal emergency response
systems (PERS) is majorly used by the elderly individuals who are prone
to various chronic diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, diabetes,
weakening of reflexes, heart diseases, and other health issues. The old
aged people are more susceptible to falls, which is a major reason for
severe injuries among the elderly. If not treated on time, it could lead
to a disability or death. The medical alert system market is praised by
hospitals, doctors, and healthcare organizations such as the American
Heart Association (US) and the American Association of Retired Person
(US).
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Medical
alert system or PERS ensures that people are getting assistance during
any emergency quickly. This system provides help for 24x7 with a press
of button for many devices or through calls. These systems are usually
user-friendly and are trending in the market. With help of these systems
people feel safe and live freely. With this system it is also possible
to add levels of safety so that based on it the quick emergency service
is delivered by the vendor. There are various medical alert systems
available in the market that are affordable for implementation. The
system is mainly used by senior or old age people and the people who are
living alone or people with disabilities in their home. The medical
alert system can be chosen from the variety of options available based
on the requirement. There are various trends in medical alert system
like mobile-based medical alert, gps integrated system, and many more.
The
best medical alert systems are used by the geriatric population or
people who need special care such as to send an emergency signal to
contact emergency services or caregivers. The personal emergency
response systems (PERS) consists of a hardware device, monitoring
platform, response center, and a caregiver. The system’s hardware
consists of a console along with a transmitter for communication between
the user and the monitoring response center. The response centers are
majorly responsible for dispatching the emergency team soon after an
emergency signal is received from the user’s end. The ecosystems
comprise are givers, which can be family, friends, or any other person
assigned by the user.
The Standard system consists of two
different base units, a landline and a cellular line, with corresponding
help buttons that are also different. The AutoAlert Philips Lifeline
HomeSafe medical alert system provides automatic fall detection. It uses
the same base units as the Standard system but consists of one fall
detection pendant for both.
The landline base unit is a white,
wedge-shaped device with remarkably positioned buttons. On the top right
side, there is a big grey reset button, while the smaller red help
button is located on the lower right side of the device.
b) Feature Design
On
the top left, there is a speaker; the microphone is placed on the
bottom, and it also has power, reset, and help LED
indicators. Additionally, there is a volume controller on the left side
of the device. On the back, there is a prominent antenna,
power & phone jacks, and a power switch.
Overall, the base
unit looks quite dated compared to the ultra-modern-looking cellular
base unit, which looks similar to devices such as the Apple HomePod.
Both systems offer a 32-hour backup battery and a 500-foot range.
Philips Lifeline Fall Detection & Accessories
a) Fall Detection
In
addition to the AutoAlert feature present in Philips Lifeline’s
automatic fall detection technology, users need to pay an extra
charge of USD 15 per month as an add-on. This costs 50% of the basic
landline subscription.
Though it is more expensive than most
in-home systems, Philips Lifeline fall detection technology is the most
reliable in the market. But it should be noted that no system is 100%
accurate.
b) Monitoring and Lockboxes
Philips
Lifeline provides affordable multiperson monitoring options. Though
there is no charge for an additional Lifeline pendant, the
monitoring charge is USD 10/month for the landline option
and USD 12/month for the cellular option.
Its lockbox
is cost-effective and just requires a one-time payment of
around USD 30. Additionally, it offers voice extension at an
additional cost of USD 10/month and acts as a secondary communicator.
c) GPS and Security
Philips
Lifeline does not offer fire and smoke monitoring and does not have a
check-in service either. It does not provide
wall-mounted buttons but encourages customers to wear
their water-resistant help buttons at all times, including in the
shower.
To avail of GPS technology, users must opt
for either the Philips Lifeline GoSafe, which is a blend of in-home and
mobile systems, or the GoSafe 2, which is a standalone mobile system.
These add-ons are on the more expensive side.
Monitoring Services
a) Response Center
Lifeline’s
emergency response center is the most skilled in the medical
alert space. Its agents offer 24*7*365 support in 200 languages, which
is quite impressive.
b) Response Times
Response
times are very quick, averaging around 35 seconds. The
system provides excellent audio quality, and
communication by support personnel is smooth and professional.
Philips Lifeline Cost & Contracts
a) Fees
The
fee for the landline option is around USD 30/month, which is an average
price for an in-home system. The AT&T cellular option
is nearly USD 42 per month. It does not charge any device fees, and no
long-term contracts are required; however, there is also no option to
choose a more extended payment plan with a more affordable monthly fee.
Installation process
through a Philips technician costs around USD 100. There is also a
one-time activation fee of around USD 50.
b) Cancellation and Returns
It
offers returns within 30 days of purchase only if the device has not
been activated and used. The equipment must be returned
in an unused, ‘like new’ condition, with the manual and all the original
packaging and accessories. Else, a cancellation fee of up to USD 50 may
be charged.
c) Setup and Installation
Philips
Lifeline comes with a user manual that explains the simple setup
process. Users can also refer to the voice-guided instructions from the
base unit that will explain what needs to be done as soon
as the power is plugged in and the phone line is turned on.
Overall Summary
Lifeline is one of the best medical alert systems
segment in the US. Being a super-reliable service provider, its
products & services are on the more expensive side—the monthly
subscription for this popular brand’s setup is steeper than that of its
competitors.
For instance, opting for automatic fall
detection increases the monthly costs by up to 50%. Also, there are
activation and cancellation fees that other companies generally do not
charge. However, as projected, its premium equipment and professional
services performed great during our tests for the Philips Lifeline HomeSafe review.
Design & Major Features
a) Design
MobileHelp
Classic base unit has a very distinctive look. The white
device provides huge buttons that glow all the time. This
makes it unmissable and easy to find, even in the dark. However, they
cannot be turned off or dimmed.
The MobileHelp Classic device has
three buttons, of which the largest is the red emergency
button placed on the left, while on the right, it has a smaller blue
reset button. It also has a small test button in the
middle, which enables users to test the equipment without calling the
response center. All the buttons are surrounded by an LCD
panel that displays the time and date, room temperature, cellular
signal, and battery levels.
b) Feature Design
It
has a choice of a help buttons in a white neck pendant or a black or
white wristband. All of them are water-resistant and suitable for use in
the shower. It has a discreet grey help button and an LED indicator.
MobileHelp
Classic has a high ring distance of 1400 feet, which is pretty
good. The cellular base unit can be moved in and around the house to get
a longer range.
MobileHelp Fall Detection & Accessories
a) Fall Detection and Tracking
The
addition of the MobileHelp fall button enables automatic fall
detection and costs around USD 10/month. This also enables user activity
tracking.
Moreover, regular help and wall-mounted buttons are just USD 2/month. Therefore, multiperson monitoring is also cost-effective.
Monitoring Services
a) Response Times
MobileHelp
has a satisfactory response time. Generally, the live agents take up
to 40 seconds to pick up—response times averaged at around 35 seconds.
Communication with the help agents is very professional and they are pleasant to talk to, even after numerous test calls.
MobileHelp Cost & Contracts
a) Fees
MobileHelp
does not charge a device fee for the Classic; however, there is an
activation fee of about USD 50. The monitoring
service costs around USD 20/month. By selecting the quarterly,
semi-annual, or annual payment plans, a user can save USD 33, USD 30,
or USD 60, respectively. All these plans offer free medication reminders
and free ground shipping, while the annual plan also offers a free 13th
month of service.
c) Setup and Installation
As
it is a cellular system, only the base unit needs to be plugged into a
power outlet, and it will be ready to go! After running a test call,
MobileHelp Connect can be set up—this is a set of online
tools designed to help users and authorized caregivers, who can actively
participate in the health and well-being of a user.
Overall Summary
Based
on numerous MobileHelp reviews, it is found to offer a great medical
alert system. MobileHelp Classic has the cellular option by
default, permitting users to carry the system anywhere they go. The base
unit has big, illuminated buttons and two-way communication with the
24*7 excellent response center.
The major advantages of
MobileHelp Classic, such as inexpensive add-ons such
as multiperson monitoring and a GPS system, overshadow the
cons. After a thorough examination of each feature, MobileHelp
Classic is recommended for users looking for an affordable alert
system.
