3 Reasons You Shouldn’t Buy an Unmonitored Medical Alert System

When you think of a “medical alert system,” what probably comes to mind is a device that lets a user press a button to contact an emergency operator in a monitoring center who can dispatch aid. While most medical alert systems do include monitoring service – for a monthly fee – another option is unmonitored systems that do not have a monthly fee at all.

Are these systems a good idea?  While everyone likes saving money, there are 3 major downsides to them.

Unmonitored systems provide a subscription-free, two-way communication option to 911 or personal contacts in the event of an emergency. The devices are seen as a personal communication device, as they lack other features typically provided by medical alert systems.

Before shopping for an unmonitored medical alert system, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons and decide whether an unmonitored system can meet all of your needs.

Pros of an Unmonitored Medical Alert System

An unmonitored medical alert system has benefits for some users, including reduced costs, such as no monthly fees, and no additional fees or hassle related to the equipment or connection.

1. No Monthly Fee

Traditional medical alert systems have a monthly fee for the 24/7 monitoring provided to the user, as well as to cover the cost of renting the equipment. With unmonitored systems, a user pays for the equipment upfront, and there’s no monitoring provided to the user. So, there’s no monthly fee required. This feeless option may be attractive to users who want to communicate easily with loved ones in the event of an emergency, but who may not be able to afford the monthly cost of a monitored system.

2. You Own the Equipment

Another benefit of an unmonitored medical alert system is that a user will never have to return the equipment. Unmonitored devices are purchased upfront, and the users are free to keep them forever. Users never have to worry about device fees, set-up fees, or the hassles of returning equipment.

3. Landline Connection

Most unmonitored medical alert systems connect to an existing landline telephone, eliminating the need for cellular service. Landline connection offers some advantages over cellular technology, particularly when contacting 911. Landline calls made to 911 connect more quickly and show a caller’s location on a screen at the 911 center so emergency services can be dispatched quicker. Calls made from cellular devices incur slight delays as the call is routed to the correct 911 center.

Cons of an Unmonitored Medical Alert System

Despite no monthly fees, unmonitored systems lack some features that many users find valuable or even necessary. Fall detection, cellular network, and reliability are among the biggest features typically found in medical alert systems that unmonitored systems lack.

1. No Fall Detection Technology

Fall detection is one feature that an unmonitored medical alert system lacks in comparison to a traditional system. In a monitored medical alert system, the user wears a wristband or pendant with an integrated sensor to detect when they fall. When a fall is detected, an emergency operator is notified, and they may attempt to contact the user to dispatch emergency responders if necessary.

The lack of fall detection technology is a significant drawback to the unmonitored medical alert system. One in three adults over the age of 65 suffers a fall each year, and the risk of a fall increases with age. However, an unmonitored device could still serve those who are not at a high risk of falls or fall-related injury.

2. Cellphone Dependency for Mobile Devices

All mobile devices rely on cellular technology to make the calls; however, most unmonitored medical alert systems do not have their own cellular service the way that traditional mobile medical alert devices do. Instead, unmonitored systems require constant connection to a cellphone in order to tap into the phone’s cellular service. This can be an inconvenience to users who don’t have a cellphone or don’t want to carry their cell phones everywhere they go – even in their own home.

3. No Reliability

Unmonitored systems divert calls for assistance to a list of contacts set up by the user, and there are no guarantees that any of those contacts will answer their phone. As a result, users of unmonitored medical alert systems cannot reliably access help. This is unlike monitored systems where users can reach an operator 24/7. In an emergency, every second counts.

While calling 911 is an option on an unmonitored system, many users are reluctant to call 911 at all.

Think It Over

The security and convenience of 24/7 monitoring are among the main reasons people shop for a medical alert system in the first place, so unmonitored systems may not be a good fit for everyone. A monitored medical alert system may better serve elderly users who are at a higher risk of falling and suffering devastating fall-related injuries. Users should ask themselves whether an unmonitored system in exchange for no monthly fee is worthwhile.

See our overview on how to choose the best medical alert system for tips on choosing the right system for you.