Aloe Care Health Medical Alert System Review 2023

Overview of Aloe Care Health

The Buying Experience

Purchasing an Aloe Care Health system was simple and quick. Compared to competitors we've reviewed like Medical Guardian, Aloe Care Health doesn’t have add-on equipment, multiple color options, or various subscription types, so you aren’t required to make multiple selections throughout the checkout process. It makes for a very smooth and uncomplicated transaction! If you’re more comfortable ordering over the phone instead of online, you have that option as well.

While browsing Aloe Care Health’s systems, I was curious to know if the Total Care package offered fall detection throughout the home or if it was just isolated to one room. I also wanted to learn more about the package’s motion sensors. To get my questions answered, I reached out to customer support. A representative responded to my questions via the chat box on the website within a minute. You can also call customer support with questions if you prefer. Many users reviews note that Aloe Care Health’s customer service reps are exceptional.

Customer support informed me that the Smart Fall Sensor only covers one room, and they recommend placing it in the bathroom, which makes sense, since 80 percent of senior falls occur there.1 For additional protection, the representative explained that older adults could place motion detectors around the home and use the voice-activated Smart Hub to call for help in an emergency.

Setting Up My System

Smart Hub Setup

I was excited to unpack my Aloe Care Health System once it arrived, and, by the way, shipping was free! I chose to test out the Smart Hub first. I found a Smart Hub, the Care Button, a power cord, a lanyard, and a wristband inside the box. I placed the Smart Hub in the living room on the coffee table, a central room in my house. You’ll want to place the Smart Hub on a flat surface that is about 3 to 4 feet high. Coffee tables, bedside tables, and kitchen counters work great. Once I plugged the device into the wall, it powered up automatically and chimed. The ring light on top pulsed blue.

Then, a voice prompted me to either download the smartphone app and follow the step-by-step directions or listen to the prompts for manual setup. I chose to set up my system through the app, which was a quick and easy process with clear directions. The system also comes with an easy-to-follow manual if you’d prefer to set up your system without the app.

All in all, it was fairly easy to set up my system. However, I could see the process being more challenging for someone who is less familiar with tech or smartphone apps. If you get stuck during the setup process, customer service is always available and happy to help!

After setup was complete, I put the Care Button on my wrist and tested the emergency call system. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I was connected to an operator in just 10 seconds. The average response time for medical alert systems across the industry is about 15 to 45 seconds, so this was fast! I let the operator know that I was just making a test call, and that was it. The whole process took less than five minutes, and I didn’t encounter any issues.

Unboxing my Aloe Care Health Smart Hub

Mobile Companion Go Setup

The on-the-go device, the Mobile Companion Go, came with the Essentials Plus system. The Mobile Companion Go includes a charger and strap to place it around your neck. To power it up, I pressed and held the gray power button on the side of the unit. The light at the top of the Mobile Companion turned green, the device buzzed, and I heard a chime. A voice told me that the unit was powering on. Then, I set the system on its charging cradle and plugged it in. After a quick charge, the unit was ready to go! To test it out, I pressed the large gray button in the center of the unit, and I was quickly connected to an operator. Again, the testing process was simple and fast.

Contracts and Warranty

Aloe Care Health doesn’t require long-term contracts. That means you can cancel at any time without penalty or extra fees. Unlike Medical Guardian's prices, which offer a slight discount when you pay annually versus monthly, Aloe Care Health doesn’t offer discounts for paying ahead for service.

Like other popular providers we’ve reviewed, including Lively, Aloe Care Health offers a one-year limited warranty on their products.

Aloe Care Health Systems at a Glance

Aloe Care Health System and Product Details

Essentials: Basic Protection

Cost

The Essentials system costs $149.99 for the equipment fee and a $29.99 monthly service fee. This is Aloe Care Health’s most affordable in-home system, though it’s slightly more expensive than other budget-friendly providers. For comparison, this system is around $5 more expensive than Bay Alarm Medical’s starting costs. Plus, many other in-home systems don’t have an equipment fee, so this is something to keep in mind.

Equipment

The Essentials system is Aloe Care’s most “basic” system, yet its state-of-the-art technology is far from basic. The Smart Hub is the star of the show. It’s a voice-activated smart speaker, which kind of looks like an Alexa or Google Home. The Smart Hub connects you to everyone you choose to include in your Care Circle. You can use it as a phone to call people within the Care Circle and to connect with a professional 24/7 emergency response team should the need arise. I tested the Smart Hub’s voice-activated feature by repeating the word “Emergency.” After I said this three times, the system automatically connected to the monitoring center. I love this hands-free feature!

For extra protection around the house or in the yard, the system comes with a Care Button that you can wear around your neck or wrist. In an emergency, simply press your wearable button to connect to the monitoring center.

Unlike traditional medical alert systems from providers we've reviewed like Lifeline that are, well, a bit of an eyesore, Aloe Care Health’s equipment is very sleek. It looks like another fancy-schmancy speaker or piece of smart home equipment, which I appreciate! The Smart Hub also features a motion-activated night light. I loved this feature, as it can help you avoid tripping or bumping into things if you need to get up in the middle of the night.

My uncle testing out the Aloe Care Health Smart Hub and help pendant

Service and Monitoring

In addition to medical alert monitoring, the Aloe Care Health Smart Hub monitors air quality, temperature, and activity in the home and alerts caregivers if anything is out of the ordinary. The system uses 4G to connect wearers to the emergency monitoring system, so Wi-Fi is not required.

This at-home system is ideal for homebodies. Keep in mind that the Essentials system doesn’t include fall detection and it isn’t a feature you can add on for an additional fee. If you or your loved one has a history of falling, then you’ll want to check out one of the two systems below.

Essentials Plus: At-Home and On-the-Go Protection

Cost

The Essentials Plus equipment fee is $249.99 and the monthly service fee is $39.99. This system is a solid middle-ground option for seniors looking for mobile protection who don’t need the extra features and added cost of Total Care, the company’s premium plan.

Equipment

The Essentials Plus system includes all of the same equipment and features as the Essentials system, plus the Mobile Companion Go. This duo provides protection and monitoring in the home, while on its own, the Mobile Companion Go gives seniors protection outside the home.

The Mobile Companion Go is water-resistant and can be worn as a pendant. It has a battery that lasts up to five days before needing a charge; this is great for active seniors who want their medical alert system to travel with them! When worn around the neck, it can also detect falls. I was especially impressed with the device’s option for vibrational feedback to accommodate older adults with hearing loss and visual impairments.

The Aloe Care Health Mobile Companion

Service and Monitoring

Providing both in-home and on-the-go monitoring, the Essentials Plus system is a great option for older adults looking for a sleek mobile system that includes fall detection. The Mobile Companion Go provides GPS monitoring and 24/7 access to professional emergency response using the nationwide AT&T LTE network. The built-in two-way speaker makes it easy for wearers to communicate with Aloe Care Health’s trained professionals in an emergency situation. I tested the Mobile Companion Go while running errands, and the system’s signal was strong enough to connect me to the monitoring system without any issues.

Total Care: Top-of-the-Line Protection

Cost

The cost of this mighty system is $349.99 with a $49.99 monthly service fee. This is one of the more expensive systems on the market; however, its unique high-tech features are worth the cost if you have some wiggle room in your budget.

Equipment

Total Care is Aloe Care’s top-of-the-line system. It comes with all of the features of the Essentials and Essentials Plus systems, with some extras: a Smart Fall Sensor for the bathroom, two additional motion sensors, and uses a Wi-Fi connection. While this system offers the most well-rounded protection, I could see it being a bit too complicated for some users. It has a lot of moving parts and high-tech equipment, so it’s best for those who are tech-savvy or have someone to help them make sure the system is running properly.

Smart Fall Sensor

Aloe Care Health’s in-home fall detection sets it apart from other popular medical alert systems we've tested. The best part? You don’t have to wear a pendant! Yes, you read that right. Aloe Care Health’s Smart Fall Sensor uses radio frequency to map the environment and monitor for falls. If a fall is detected, caregivers are notified through the Aloe Care Health mobile app right away.

The downside to this is that the Smart Fall Sensor only monitors one room (usually, users choose the bathroom). If you want fall detection throughout your home, you will want to use Aloe Care’s Mobile Companion Go unit, which is included in the Total Care package. The Smart Fall Sensor is an excellent option for seniors who would prefer not to wear the Mobile Companion Go in the shower but still want fall detection in the bathroom.

Additional Motion Sensors

If you’d like additional motion sensing, the Total Care system includes two sensors. They can be placed in rooms where the Smart Hub isn’t located. There’s a motion sensor built into the Smart Hub, but if you want additional monitoring in other rooms, you’ll want to purchase the Total Care system.

Service and Monitoring

Since the Total Care system comes with two additional motion sensors, it provides robust activity monitoring. When placed in a room that has regular movement, say the kitchen, the monitors can detect any unusual inactivity. Aloe Care Health will notify the Care Circle via the mobile app (more on that below!) of the anomaly so they can check in with their loved ones.

Unlike Aloe Care Health’s other two systems, Total Care needs Wi-Fi to properly monitor users in their homes. In the event of a Wi-Fi outage, the system uses 4G as a backup so you’re always protected.

Mobile Companion Go: On-the-Go Protection

Cost

If you decide to purchase the Mobile Companion Go as a stand-alone package, you’ll pay $29.99 per month and a $99.99 equipment fee. This is Aloe Care Health’s least expensive system, making it my pick for those on a tight budget.

Equipment

As discussed above, the newly updated Mobile Companion Go is an all-in-one mobile unit worn as a necklace. It has a five-day battery life, so you can throw it on and take it with you wherever you go. Plus, the unit comes with built-in fall detection. Some other mobile systems require you to purchase a separate fall detection pendant, meaning you need to carry two pieces of equipment with you everywhere. I appreciate that Aloe Care Health doesn’t charge extra for fall detection or require a second pendant.

Service and Monitoring

Mobile Companion Go uses GPS, Wi-Fi, and an AT&T cellular connection to provide coverage anywhere you go. The device connects to the Aloe Care Health app, so family members and caregivers can get real-time updates, easily check in, and keep track of your location.

Add-on Features and Accessories

Aloe Care Health App

While Aloe Care Health doesn’t offer any traditional add-on features, all systems come with free access to the Aloe Care Health mobile app. This app puts the cherry on top of their systems. I easily downloaded it through the Apple App Store (it works on Androids, too). As you may have experienced yourself, many adult children pop in and check on their aging parents or rely on regular phone calls if they live far away. As a convenient alternative, the Aloe Care Health app allows adult children and caregivers to view multiple, real-time indicators through the app to get a picture of how their loved one is doing. You can say goodbye to those well-meaning, but a bit pestering, check-ins!

Those in the Care Circle can also use the app to call straight into the Smart Hub to chat. The calling feature works the other way as well; older adults can reach those in the Care Circle through the Smart Hub. It’s nice to know there’s another way to quickly get a hold of your friends and family if your phone is off or out of reach. Below, we’ll take a look at my favorite app features for caregivers.

Checking in on the Aloe Care Health app

Real-Time Updates for Caregivers In the Aloe Care Health App

• Temperature in the home: If the temperature is lower than usual, you’ll know whether your loved one’s heater is working correctly or if a window has been left open.
• Air quality: The Smart Hub measures CO2 and VOC, so if there is a gas leak in your parents’ home, you can rest assured that you’ll be alerted through the app.
• Mobility: Aloe Care Health’s motion sensors are connected to the app, so you’ll be alerted when mom is up and moving in the kitchen at 6:30 a.m., probably making her regular cup o’ joe.
• System status: Here, you can tell if the Aloe Care Health system is working properly. If there is a power outage in the home, you’ll be notified that the system is running on its backup battery.
• Check-Ins: If you have multiple caregivers/adult children, you can all leave notes on the app when you check in with your loved one. That way, everyone is up to date and on the same page!

The Bottom Line on Aloe Care Health

Aloe Care Health is one of the most high-tech systems our team has reviewed over the years. Customer testimonials often commend the company for its innovative technology that provides peace of mind. Its pendant-free Smart Fall Sensor, Mobile Companion Go, motion sensors, and caregiver app make it excellent for older adults who want the latest and greatest and caregivers looking to stay in the loop. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more simple system without bells and whistles, we’d recommend looking elsewhere. I found the Smart Hub and caregiver app to be a solid duo that provides intuitive protection and connection. As long as the higher prices fit in your budget, Aloe Care Health is a top-notch, innovative provider leveraging technology to keep seniors safe and loved ones informed.