Best Medical Alert Systems for Seniors With Dementia, Tested and Reviewed

Trying out Medical Guardian's MGMini Lite

Bay Alarm Medical offers inexpensive systems that still come packed with top-of-the-line features. Prices start at $27.95 per month for their in-home system and $34.95 for their on-the-go systems. I’ve tested both, and I’m a big fan of either option. That said, their on-the-go offerings (particularly the SOS Micro) are a better fit for many seniors with dementia, especially if your loved one tends to get lost.

» Our Full Review: Bay Alarm Medical Alert System Review 2025

Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Micro is available as a solo device or in a bundle with the in-home system. If your loved one is more of a homebody, it may make sense to bundle so you get the best of both. Be prepared for the higher cost of a bundling plan, as well as equipment fees.

Dementia-Friendly Features

Bay Alarm Medical primarily made this list for the SOS All-In-One 2, an on-the-go system worn as a necklace. The device comes with your choice of an AT&T or Verizon connection, so you can opt for the cellular carrier with the best service in your area.

» Related Reading: AT&T Cell Phone Plans for Seniors

It will provide extra assurance that your loved one is always protected, regardless of their location. I appreciated having options, since I have great AT&T coverage in my area, while Verizon's service is pretty limited.

Similar to Medical Guardian, the lightweight device comes with a caregiver tracking app. I can pinpoint the location of my device, view my location history, and receive low-battery notifications right in the app. All those features can help you keep tabs on your loved ones, which is helpful if you’re concerned about them wandering or missing appointments.

» Also Check Out: Best Medical Alert Systems for Veterans

When I tested the caregiver app, I was really happy with the real-time updates. My grandma and I spent the day apart to see how accurate it was, and she was amazed that I knew she’d been to the grocery store and the pharmacy! We were also really happy with the prompt and professional treatment from the customer service team.

Navigating Bay Alarm Medical's companion mobile app

The SOS All-In-One 2 device is a wearable lanyard pendant with a large, red button and speaker. Seniors can also wear the help button using a more subtle belt clip. I tested the fall detection using both the lanyard and the belt clip, and the results were similar to what we experienced with Medical Guardian’s MGMini. The lanyard detected eight of our 10 test falls. The belt clip was less likely to pick up on falls.

Battery Life

The SOS All-In-One 2 is similar to Aloe Care Health and Medical Guardian when it comes to battery life. Bay Alarm Medical claims you can get up to three days on one charge. That was accurate in my experience, which I’m pleased with.

» Compare Providers: Bay Alarm Medical vs. Medical Guardian

It means the device can run for a full weekend without charging. That’s a smart fit for seniors who may struggle to remember to plug in their devices. With such a long battery life, however, the infrequency of charges might make it harder for some seniors to create a consistent charging schedule. Still, having a device that stays charged for longer is a plus.

Pricing

If you want to get a high-quality medical alert system that’s affordable, Bay Alarm Medical has a great balance between budget-friendly devices and value. The SOS Home starts at just $27.95 per month with no equipment fees, but that doesn’t help if your loved one leaves the house regularly.

That’s why I think the SOS Micro is a better option, even though it’ll cost you more. SOS Micro starts at $34.95 per month, and you can add fall detection for an extra $10 per month (the same as Medical Guardian). The one-time equipment fee is $149.

» Price Guide: Bay Alarm Medical Cost and Pricing

If you want to bundle the SOS Home and SOS Micro (it includes fall detection by default), your plan will cost $59.95 per month. Another option is Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS All-In-One 2 system, which also provides at-home and on-the-go coverage. The system starts at $34.95 per month without fall detection.

If you opt for either bundle, your equipment fees will vary between $149 and $245. While shopping online for Bay Alarm Medical systems, I liked the pricing transparency and felt I knew what I was paying for. If you’re worried about losing or damaging your device, you can also add affordable protection plans for as little as $2.95 per month.

Testing out Medical Guardian's MGMini Lite

Medical Guardian offers several at-home and on-the-go medical alert systems. Each system is backed by the company’s impressive customer service and a 24/7 urgent-response team.

When I pressed my system’s help button, the monitoring professionals already had access to my info. The agents can share information about the user’s dementia, other medical conditions, medications, allergies, and preferred hospital with emergency services. I appreciate this information exchange, especially for seniors with medical conditions that require a little extra care.

For older adults with dementia, the MGMini Lite is one of my favorite systems. The system is about as simple as it gets. It has one large button used to call for help, and that’s about it. It’s a water-resistant mobile unit worn on the wrist that features advanced location detection with GPS, Wi-Fi, and LTE technology. This sophisticated monitoring is critical for individuals at high risk of wandering.

Dementia-Friendly Features

I’ve personally tested all five of Medical Guardian’s systems, and I’ve found that the MGMini Lite is one of the best choices for seniors with dementia. It’s a simple bracelet-style device that straps onto your wrist and has one large button on the front, plus a two-way speaker. It’s very simple, so there’s not much to remember.

The button even has a bright blue ring that lights up when pressed, so you’ll know that you’ve done it correctly. The MGMini Lite is small and lightweight, so I often forgot I was wearing it. It is perfect for those with dementia; the less irritating or noticeable the system is, the less likely the user is to remove it.

Trying out Medical Guardian's MGMini Lite

I tested the waterproof device in different locations at various times of day and night. During each test, I usually connected with a Medical Guardian agent in under 20 seconds. It took a full minute to reach someone when I tested the system in my home, though.

I don’t have great Verizon reception (which MGMini Lite runs on) at home, so that was likely why. Otherwise, I had no trouble using the system. Ensure you have solid Verizon service in your area before purchasing.

Medical Guardian’s agents were always helpful and friendly, whether I was testing for an emergency or simply reaching out with a question. The speaker was also quite loud, and I had no trouble hearing the person on the other end of the line.

» Dive Deeper: 2025 Medical Guardian Review

One of my favorite features for caregivers and loved ones is the MyGuardian mobile app. Through the app, you can monitor the user’s location, check the device’s status and power level, see a history of emergency calls placed, create a care plan, and more.

It is especially useful if your loved one has dementia. If you can’t contact them, you can easily check in on them through the app. I used the app to track my system and create a call chain of the people I wanted to contact in case of an emergency. The app was simple to navigate and easy to use.

Checking my system's location in Medical Guardian's MyGuardian mobile app

Battery Life

The MGMini Lite has a 36-hour battery life. That falls short of comparable wearable devices from LifeFone and MobileHelp, but it’s still pretty solid. I tested the MGMini Lite for a week, and I only needed to charge it five times.

» Compare Providers: Medical Guardian vs. LifeFone

I found it easiest to wear the device throughout the day and charge it when I went to sleep. Since I kept the charger by my bed, I could still reach the button if there was an emergency in the middle of the night.

For comparison, Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Micro lasts up to three days, while MobileHelp’s units last for around one day.

The one thing I didn’t like was the charging time. When I tried to charge the device during the day, it was painfully slow at just over three hours. A few hours is pretty standard for mobile medical alert systems, but it feels long.

Charging the MGMini Lite

Pricing

At $46.95 per month, the MGMini Lite is one of Medical Guardian’s more expensive systems, and there’s also an equipment fee of $149.95. Still, it provides excellent value for those living with dementia. Plus, these prices are similar to mobile plans from carriers such as Aloe Care Health.

Medical Guardian offers other GPS systems that are perfect for those with dementia, including MGMini, a mobile system worn around the neck, and MGMove, a smartwatch system. They cost $43.95 and $42.95 per month, respectively, plus equipment fees.

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Looking for an in-home system? You can choose from cellular and landline options starting at $31.95 monthly. Just know that with in-home systems, if your loved one wanders away from home, they won’t be able to use it, and you won’t be able to track their location.

» Pricing Info: Medical Guardian Prices and Deals

To help prevent fall-related injuries, I’d recommend adding fall detection for $10 per month. Studies show that those with dementia are at a much higher risk of falling, so this feature is essential, in my opinion.1 In the event of a fall, the system will automatically detect it and call for help, even if the user is unable to press the help button.

The fall detection works very well — almost too well at times. My grandma, who owns a Medical Guardian system, has experienced many instances in which her system thinks she has fallen, but she hasn’t.

Luckily, she can just let the operator know that it was a false alarm. It’s important to note if it would be confusing or stressful for your loved one with dementia. During testing, the MGMini Lite detected my simulated fall correctly around 70 percent of the time.

The Medical Alert Plus ADT Health system

ADT is a trusted name in home security. They also offer three medical alert systems, one of which we highly recommend for older adults with dementia. Prices start at $31.99 per month for the Basic system, but we think it’s worth the extra $10 per month to go with the On-The-Go system, which offers GPS tracking and optional fall detection. These are both great features for seniors with dementia who tend to wander.

» System Review: ADT Medical Alert System Review

Even if you choose one of ADT’s home-based systems, you still get several great features. Like Lifefone, ADT’s two at-home systems offer temperature sensors to ensure the temperature doesn’t go above or below a safe level.

ADT’s systems also come with lifetime warranties and two-way communication with ADT’s emergency response agents. I tested the two-way speaker with all three systems and found the sound quality and volume control to be excellent.

Dementia-Friendly Features

ADT made our list of best medical alert systems for seniors with dementia thanks to their On-The-Go system. While this is their most expensive option, it’s also the best fit for seniors with dementia.

There are multiple ways for seniors to wear the system, including on their wrist, around their neck, or even in their pocket. The system also comes with a palm-sized mobile device, which is easy to slip into a pocket or handbag. The pendants must be within 100 feet of the mobile device to work, but as long as you keep the mobile device on you, you’ll be good to go since it has its own help button and two-way speaker.

» More From ADT: ADT Home Security Systems for Seniors

It can automatically detect falls and can send emergency responders directly to your location. That is a significant benefit for older adults with dementia who may not remember where they are if the ADT agent asks them to describe their surroundings.

Remember that, like most fall detection devices, ADT’s system can’t offer 100 percent accuracy. During my testing, the fall detection worked well, but there’s no guarantee that it will always detect a real fall, so keeping the help button nearby is still vital.

My automatic fall detection pendant from ADT Health

Unlike Bay Alarm Medical, ADT’s cellular systems only work with AT&T. This could be a drawback if you live in an area with mediocre AT&T service. However, I always had a strong cellular connection while testing the On-The-Go system.

I was disappointed that ADT didn’t offer a companion app for caregivers like Aloe Care Health or Bay Alarm Medical did. When my grandmother went out for a walk wearing the device, I had no way to track her location or get in contact with her via ADT’s system. My only option was to text or call her cell phone.

Still, if you add fall detection to the On-The-Go system, it gives you peace of mind knowing that trained professionals can keep track of your loved one’s location and send help if needed.

Battery Life

The water-resistant mobile device has a battery life of up to 40 hours on a single charge, which is a little better than Medical Guardian’s MGMini Lite. But it falls short of comparable systems from Bay Alarm Medical.

To ensure you’ll have a full day’s charge, you’ll want to put the mobile device in its charging cradle at night when you go to sleep. It typically takes about three hours to recharge, so I always woke up to a fully charged device. That said, it’s better not to leave the mobile device in the charging cradle all the time, as this can slowly reduce the device’s battery life.

Pricing

Pricing is one area where ADT doesn’t get the highest marks from us. Even their most affordable at-home system is $31.99 per month, which is slightly cheaper than Medical Guardian, but a few dollars more than Bay Alarm Medical. Additionally, the prices only go up with the Plus and On-The-Go systems, starting at $39.99 and $41.99, respectively. Fortunately, ADT frequently runs sales.

» Pricing Guide: ADT Medical Alert Systems: Pricing and Getting the Best Deal

Fall detection costs an additional $11 per month, which is $1 more than the industry standard. Additionally, while there are no equipment fees, every system includes a one-time $99 activation fee.

ADT doesn’t offer many add-ons, but if you want things like a waterproof wall mount button ($3 per month), a lockbox ($29.99 or free with annual billing), or additional help buttons ($5 per button plus a $14.99 equipment fee), the up-front and ongoing costs can start to add up fast.

LifeFone At Home Landline or Cellular Equipment

LifeFone offers six different medical alert systems designed to meet seniors’ needs, whether they are homebodies or spend time out and about. You can add fall detection to any in-home system for just $5 per month — half of what the feature costs with Medical Guardian or Bay Alarm Medical.

The company offers a variety of systems, but their at-home options are some of my top picks for homebodies. They’re simple, easy to use, and even feature temperature monitoring to protect you from emergencies other than falls.

» Related Reading: 2025 LifeFone Review

I love that LifeFone cares about family. Spouses can receive a pendant and monitoring for free with basic service, which means you can get two monitoring services for the price of one. My experience with customer service was always positive, further demonstrating LifeFone’s commitment to their customers.

Dementia-Friendly Features

Not only does LifeFone offer six great plans for seniors, but their affordable fall detection is also a big plus for older adults with dementia. If you go with the at-home system (my personal favorite), the base has a range of up to 1,300 feet. I tested it, and the wearable device was still working when I walked upstairs to the opposite end of the house.

» Helpful Resource: Best Medical Alert Systems for Seniors With Hearing Loss

LifeFone’s At-Home unit includes a 32-hour backup battery that kicks in if the power goes out. Navigating the house in the dark during a power outage could increase the chance of a fall, so I appreciate the backup protection. I tested the backup battery by unplugging my system from a power outlet, and it still worked like a charm!

In addition to waterproof pendants and bracelets, the base unit has a room temperature sensor. If the temperature in the room drops below or rises above the temperature limits you’ve set, an alarm will sound. The feature can help save lives in the event of a fire or even alert others if the heater has stopped working during colder months.

Battery Life

Since the base unit of LifeFone’s At-Home unit plugs right into the wall, you don’t have to worry much about batteries. What I really liked about LifeFone’s system was the longevity of the help buttons. Whether you choose the pendant or the bracelet, the battery lasts for up to three years.

LifeFone will monitor the remaining life of your battery and send you a new one when it runs low. This is a fantastic feature for seniors with dementia. You never have to worry about charging anything, and even if the power goes out, you’ll still have backup support until the electricity comes back on.

LifeFone has four on-the-go options with battery lives ranging from one to 10 days. There’s a wrist-worn system, two pendant options, and a smartwatch system. The At-Home & On-the-Go VIPx system, which can be worn like a necklace, lasts a whopping 10 days. That’s very impressive for a mobile system and more than three times as long as the battery life offered by Bay Alarm Medical’s SOS Micro.
» Related Reading: Best Medical Alert Systems for Active Seniors

Pricing

LifeFone’s prices range from $29.95 to $47.95 for month-to-month plans with no up-front activation or equipment fees. Those are competitive prices compared to the other brands on our list. There are discounts available for quarterly and annual payment plans. You can also choose from several add-ons, such as a caregiver app with location tracking, a medication reminder service, and daily check-in calls.

If your loved one stays at home most of the time, the At-Home package with fall detection is our top pick. In addition to the base unit, it comes with a lanyard pendant or a bracelet. It’s an excellent value at just $29.95 per month for the landline option or $34.95 per month for the cellular option, and fall detection only tacks on an extra $5 monthly.

You can save a few bucks per month by selecting a quarterly or annual payment plan. Even with a monthly plan, you can save a lot by choosing fall detection with LifeFone, since it’s $6 per month cheaper than MobileHelp’s fall detection.

Check out our video review of LifeFone below to learn more.

MobileHelp Base Unit

MobileHelp is known for their affordable systems designed for two users, but the company made this list thanks to their simple systems. They offer both at-home and on-the-go systems that are stripped down to the basic features, making them as simple as possible for people with dementia.

» Related Reading: Medication Dispensers for Seniors

Dementia-Friendly Features

MobileHelp’s Home Duo Bundle is a decent option for people with dementia. It comes with a simple base unit with large, clearly labeled buttons; a wearable help button; and a mobile unit. It offers comprehensive at-home and on-the-go protection.

» Compare Providers: MobileHelp vs. Bay Alarm Medical

The system can also be used by two people, perfect for couples. One person can use the in-home system while the other uses the mobile unit. The Solo and Micro systems are also solid options for people with dementia, since they require only one piece of equipment that can be worn at home or on the go. That way, your loved one will still be protected if they wander.

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I paid the extra $11 for fall detection and tested it using the mobile pendant included with the Home Duo Bundle. I simulated 10 falls during our tests, and it detected every single one. Customer support was always fast to respond and extremely friendly. The tests don’t mean the Home Duo Bundle will always detect a fall (fall detection devices are never 100 percent accurate), but it was very reliable in my experience.

Battery Life

MobileHelp’s wearable help button for the home system has a built-in battery that doesn’t require charging. Instead, it’s designed to last for up to five years, even longer than LifeFone’s in-home pendants. Unlike LifeFone, MobileHelp doesn’t track battery life, which means you’ll need to request a new battery whenever the LED light starts flashing amber (that’s the low-battery signal).

Testing out MobileHelp's wearable help button

The mobile unit that comes with the Home Duo Bundle has a battery life lasting around 24 hours, which is six hours shorter than Medical Guardian’s MGMini Lite. I could recharge the system by setting it in its charging cradle. It took a few hours to fully charge.

Pricing

Prices for MobileHelp’s systems range from $24.95 to $49.95 per month, depending on the system you choose. MobileHelp’s large product lineup makes finding a system that best meets your needs simple. You can enhance your system with add-ons such as fall detection for $11 per month.

I love the add-ons, but MobileHelp’s fall detection is pricier than most other providers, including Medical Guardian and LifeFone. Keep an eye on the cost as you pick accessories, because it can quickly add up.

» Our Full Review: MobileHelp Medical Alert System Review [2024]

My top pick for seniors with dementia is the Home Duo Bundle, which gives you an in-home unit, a mobile unit, and a wearable help button. The system costs $44.95 per month, but you can score a discount if you pay for your system annually.

The one thing I didn’t like about MobileHelp was the cost of add-ons. Some add-ons, such as location detection, are standard with basic plans from Bay Alarm Medical. With MobileHelp, location detection comes at no charge with the MobileHelp Connect portal — but there’s a catch. The standard (free) version of MobileHelp Connect covers only 30 location requests per month.

» For Location Tracking: Best GPS Medical Alert Systemsof 2025

Essentially, you, as a caregiver, use up a location “ping” every time you want to know your loved one’s location. If you need to check their location more than 30 times in a month, you’ll have to pay an additional $6 per 30 requests. That isn’t ideal if you like to check on your loved one multiple times per day.

The Aloe Care Health Smart Hub

Aloe Care Health uses new technology to keep older adults safe and connected with their loved ones. They offer in-home and on-the-go systems with advanced monitoring, including fall detection and motion sensors. My uncle helped me test Aloe Care Health’s systems, and we were impressed with the sleek equipment. The Smart Hub, Aloe Care Health’s in-home base unit, looks more like a smart speaker than a medical alert system. If you want something discreet, it’s a great option.

Expert Insights

From Linda Schlenker, M.S., M.A., O.T.R

Aloe Care Health is one of my top picks for a medical alert system for someone with dementia. It offers a comprehensive package with helpful options, including activity monitoring, fall detection, voice-activated calls, and “Find My Device.”

I’m a big fan of the mobile app. It has a modern feel and is easy to use. I got real-time updates on my uncle’s movements throughout the home. If the system didn’t detect movement in the morning when he typically got up, I received an alert on the app. It is crucial data if you’re concerned about your loved one falling, wandering, or forgetting to complete daily activities such as bathing and eating.

» Learn More: What Are Activities of Daily Living?

Aloe Care Health may be a newer brand, but the company understands what older adults and their caregivers need. For families most concerned with falls, we recommend the Essentials Plus package for at-home and on-the-go protection. It’s quite pricey at $59.99 per month with a $349.99 equipment fee, but it offers the most robust protection.

» Also Check Out: Aloe Care Health Review

Dementia-Friendly Features

Seniors with dementia and their loved ones can benefit from Aloe Care Health’s Smart Hub. My uncle could connect with an emergency-response professional simply by saying “emergency” three times or pressing the button on his help pendant. Whether he used his voice or pressed the button, he could connect with an Aloe Care Health agent in an average of 30 seconds.

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

I think the voice-activated system is ideal for those who may misplace their phone or forget to wear their help button. Plus, I could place check-in calls to the Smart Hub using the mobile app. My uncle could then use the Smart Hub’s two-way speaker to talk with me.

» Also Check Out: Best Medical Alert Apps for Seniors

If you haven’t heard from your loved one and want to check in, this is an easy way to ensure they’re doing OK. You can also share updates with other family members and caregivers through the mobile app to keep everyone informed.

» Related Reading: Best Medical Alert Systems With Voice Activation

If your loved one loses their device, it comes with a Find My Device feature to help you track its location. Additionally, you can keep track of your loved one at any time using the Live Locator feature, a big step up from the limited GPS features that come with MobileHelp’s systems.

The mobile app also offers notifications when your loved one is moving around the house, and you can write check-in notes to keep track of how the user is feeling. All those features are excellent for individuals with dementia who may need some extra monitoring.

Testing out the Aloe Care Health app

We loved that fall detection is included in Aloe Care’s systems instead of an add-on. The fall detection performed about as well as I expected. It correctly recognized eight out of 10 test falls. If you want a reliable medical alert system with fall detection that won’t cost extra, Aloe Care Health’s Mobile Companion 2 is our top pick.

» Useful Resource: Best Medical Alert Systems With Fall Detection

Battery Life

The Smart Hub just needs to be plugged into an outlet, but it also comes with a backup battery if the power goes out. I unplugged the system from power, and the backup battery kicked in immediately.

The unplugged Smart Hub was still working the next day without issue. The Mobile Companion 2 has a five-day battery life, which makes it a big step up from Medical Guardian’s MGMini Lite, which lasts only about a day and a half without charging.

Pricing

Aloe Care Health’s pricing ranges from $39.99 to $59.99 per month, plus up-front equipment costs that range from $149.99 to $349.99. I had sticker shock when I first saw Aloe Care Health’s prices, but I think the advanced features are worth the cost.

If you opt for the at-home and on-the-go plan (Essentials Plus), you’ll pay more than $400 up front for the equipment and the first month of service. That’s a lot more expensive than a provider like Bay Alarm Medical, which charges equipment fees ranging from $149 to $199.

If you want a more budget-friendly option that’s still good for seniors with dementia, we recommend the Mobile Companion 2. The on-the-go plan costs $44.99 monthly, plus a one-time equipment fee of $149.99.

Fall detection is built into the Mobile Companion 2 pendant and comes at no extra charge! Similar to the Smart Hub, it’s sleek and less clunky than other medical alert systems I’ve tested.