ADT Medical Alert System
Almost 150 years ago, Edward Callahan, founder of American District Telegraph (ADT), created the first residential security system network to prevent home break-ins. Since then, Callahan and the ADT team have expanded beyond home security into the health technology space with their line of medical alert systems. While ADT may be the oldest company providing medical alert devices, its technology sure doesn’t feel that way!
Now, ADT Health offers three types of systems for use at home or on the go. Over the years, we have reviewed ADT Health's medical alert systems, and we’ve found their high ethical standards and fast response times to be worth the basic features and comparatively higher price. The basic ADT Health package costs $29.95 per month, whereas companies such as Bay Alarm, LifeStation, or MobileHelp start at around $20. However, with ADT Health, you do not have to worry about any hidden fees, which might just save you money in the long run. Plus, they offer a lifetime warranty on all equipment and you won’t have to worry about signing a long-term contract.
We know that choosing the right medical alert system for your loved one can be difficult, so let’s dive into all you need to know about what ADT Health can provide for you.
ADT Health Systems and Plans
First and foremost, let’s go over what you can expect with each of ADT Health’s systems and plans. As stated before, there are three plans available for different lifestyles: Basic, Plus, and On-The-Go. If you spend more time outside of the house, for example, the On-The-Go system would be a better option. For homebodies, the Basic or Plus plan might be more your style. It is always nice to see a company that provides multiple options for its customers with varying features and price points to meet their needs.
| ADT Health | Medical Alert Basic | Medical Alert Plus | On-The-Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Rate | $29.95 | $35.99 | $39.99 |
| Suitable For | Inside the Home | Home & Yard | Home & Within AT&T's US Wireless Coverage Area |
| Range | 300 feet | 600 feet | 300 feet |
| Connection | Traditional Phone Line | Cellular | Cellular with GPS |
| Fall Detection | X | $5 per month | $5 per month |
| Home Temperature | ✓ | ✓ | X |
Medical Alert Basic
The Medical Alert Basic system is ADT Health’s most affordable option, starting at $29.99 per month. This system comes with an in-home base unit and one pendant or wristband. The system has a 300-foot range and runs on a landline connection. Compared to Medical Guardian’s 1,400-foot range and wireless connection, ADT’s range looks fairly small; however, the landline connection is a great choice for those who live in areas with weak or unreliable cell service. As long as the user is in range of the base station, they’ll just need to press the wearable help button, which will connect them to ADT’s 24/7 monitoring center. An operator will be there to send help in under a minute.
ADT Medical Alert Basic
There is also no fall detection option available with the basic plan; however, home temperature monitoring is included. Since over 1,200 older adults die each year from fire-related incidents–the sixth leading cause of death in this age group–the temperature monitoring system is a plus.
Medical Alert Plus
The Medical Alert Plus system is a step up from the basic plan. For $35.99 a month, you’ll receive a 600-foot coverage range and wireless cellular connection, meaning you won’t need a traditional phone line. This gives you more flexibility to place the system wherever is best in your home, as you won’t need to plug the base unit into a phone jack. While the 600-foot range is still fairly small, it doubles the range of the Medical Alert Basic and allows for outside activities, such as gardening.
ADT Medical Alert Plus
The most useful element of this system in our eyes, however, is the ability to add an automatic fall detection pendant for just $5 per month. This is an exceptional price for fall detection and even lands below the industry average. Other medical alert providers, such as MobileHelp and LifeStation, charge up to $10 per month for fall detection. With this feature, you will be connected to emergency personnel after a fall even if you are unable to press the help button. Temperature monitoring also comes with this plan. With all these added features and versatility, the Plus plan offers the best value of the two in-home plans.
On-The-Go
The price for the On-The-Go system sits just $4 above the plus plan at $39.99 per month. While it’s not the least expensive mobile system on the market, it’s comparable to offerings from other companies like Medical Guardian, so the price isn’t too unreasonable. With this wearable mobile system, you can travel anywhere in the US that has AT&T cell coverage. This system also has built-in GPS technology to track your location in case of an emergency. For older adults who travel about the town or on vacation, this is the most practical plan.
ADT Medical Alert On the Go
In addition to the unlimited range and GPS technology, the main benefit of this plan is the portable unit’s built-in help button and two-way speaker, which allow you to easily call for help in an emergency. In the Basic and Plus plans, this is not available. Additionally, like the Plus plan, the fall detection feature is available for $5 per month.
FYI: ADT has user manuals and quick installation guides available on their website. These manuals can provide additional information about the process of using your device, the installation process, and other FAQs.
Other Important Factors to Know About ADT Health
In addition to the features you can expect with each ADT Health system, there are other not-so-obvious elements that may just make or break your decision to go forward with purchasing an ADT Health plan. Here are other important factors you need to know about ADT Health before you purchase:
- CALL TO BUY: When going to purchase your ADT Health device, you will either have to make the purchase over the phone or fill out a form to have an ADT customer representative call you. In other words, there is no option to click your way through the purchasing process.
- This is one of our biggest upsets with ADT Health. We believe that older adults should have the freedom to purchase their medical alert system at any point of the day instead of having to wait for customer support to be available. On the plus side, however, by speaking to an ADT customer support agent, you can oftentimes be notified of any deals or discounts going on and get advice on choosing the right system straight from the pros.
- FLEXIBLE PAYMENT OPTIONS: ADT offers flexibility when it comes to upfront payment options. There are also no fixed-term agreements. Life can be unpredictable for older adults, so we appreciate flexibility and understanding when it comes to the financial side of safety.
Buyers Tip: Talk to your ADT customer support representative about quarterly or annual payment options. You can often receive a discounted price for longer-term contracts!
- WATERPROOF PRODUCTS: All of ADT Health’s bracelets and pendants are 100 percent waterproof. This is a key feature for us. You won’t have to worry about ruining your device if you forget to take it off when hopping in the bath or shower. Bathroom accidents are extremely common among older adults; in fact, 80% of falls happen in the bathroom, where people are less likely to be able to reach a phone. By having a waterproof wristband or pendant with fall detection, you can feel safe and secure no matter the circumstances.
- TEST REMINDERS: For the Basic and Plus systems, a light on the base unit will turn on every 30 days to remind you to make a test call and ensure that your system is still working properly. We appreciate that ADT Health takes this extra step to make sure their users are always protected and that none of their equipment will malfunction during an emergency.
- BATTERY LIFE: Having to frequently charge your medical alert system is simply not a reality when it comes to ADT Health. For the Basic and Plus plans, a single charge lasts up to 30 days. A status light on the front of the device makes it easy to determine when your device will need charging. We appreciate the longer battery life since it allows seniors to go about their day-to-day lives without worrying about their medical alert systems.
- ADDITIONAL ADD-ONS: When it comes to ADT Health, there are some things that are not so easy to find. Optional add-ons and their associated prices are not listed on ADT’s website. The only way to get an accurate price is to get a full quote that fits your situation. There are, however, the following optional add-ons available: lockboxes, wall mount buttons, and fall detection (for Plus and On-The-Go only).
Deals and Discounts
While it can be challenging to find the best deal on ADT’s website, you can speak to one of their friendly customer service representatives to get the latest information about how to save money on their products. We recommend getting a free quote online first and then asking about available discounts when you call to order your medical alert device.
As of now, ADT offers a free way to make billing easier. Their autopay service, EasyPay, will automatically bill either your credit or checking account each time a payment is due. With the promise of a price-lock guarantee, your service rates will never increase. Additionally, you can rest easy knowing that you will never be charged for necessary maintenance or equipment replacements. Unless you lose your system, ADT will cover the cost of labor, service, and parts for any defects.
Do I Need an ADT Health Medical Alert System?
Now that we’ve filled you in on everything ADT Health has to offer, let’s talk about you. Do you really need this type of medical alert system? With so many options out there, it can be hard to know which company is the right fit for you and your needs. Well, here are some statistics that may help you decide.
One-in-four American adults over 65 suffer from a fall every year–that’s 750,000 older adults who would benefit from a medical alert system. Evidently, there is a high probability of experiencing a fall in your later years, which is why a medical alert system, especially one with affordable fall detection like ADT, is so important. An alert system allows you to be as prepared as possible for a fall or other emergency. Research also shows that having a cell phone is simply not enough. As mentioned earlier, a large majority of falls occur in the bathroom where cell phones are often not conveniently located. ADT Health offers completely waterproof wristbands and pendants, so users can easily call for help in the bathroom and other high-risk locations. With simple systems, affordable rates, and a long-term history of protecting households across America, ADT is a good option for keeping you or your aging family members protected.
In Summary
When compared to other medical alert systems, ADT Health fits right in with the best. ADT’s upfront costs, starting at just $29.95 per month, are relatively reasonable while offering all of the necessary elements needed for the safety and security of independent older adults, such as fall detection, waterproof pendants, and individualized options. With less expensive add ons, such as fall detection for just $5 per month, ADT offers reasonable value. Overall, their medical alert systems are adequate in our book.
Frequently Asked Questions About ADT Health
- How do I purchase my ADT device?
To purchase your ADT device, you have to make a phone call to a sales representative or fill out a form on their website and have a representative reach out to you. There is no option to purchase your medical alert device online. You can get in touch with ADT sales personnel at (800) 500-0023.
- Does ADT offer long-term contracts?
While long-term contracts are not advertised on ADT’s website, you can work out quarterly or annual payments with a customer support representative when ordering your medical alert device. If you are planning on sticking with ADT for a long period of time, this is a smart option, as you can oftentimes receive discounts with longer contracts.
- How do the ADT medical alert systems work?
In order to get in touch with an emergency monitoring professional, simply press the button on your ADT wristband or pendant. A caring profession will confirm over your two-way intercom if you are in need of assistance. If there is an emergency, ADT emergency personnel can dispatch the appropriate responder to your location.
Fall detection services automatically initiate the call to an emergency personnel without the press of a button. Emergency services are available 24/7 seven days a week.
- Do I need a landline to use ADT’s services?
A traditional landline is necessary for ADT’s Basic package. For the Plus and On-The-Go plan, however, your device is wireless and, therefore, does not require a landline.
- Is ADT worth it?
In our eyes, ADT offers a reliable service at an affordable price. While there is not a wide range available in the Basic plan, all three devices do an exceptional job keeping older adults safe. The additional unique feature of the home temperature monitoring available on the Basic and Plus packages also show that ADT has the best interest of their customers at heart.